Table ES-2: Workplace Practices and Their Benefits
|
Workplace Practices |
Benefits |
| Keep chemicals in safety cans or covered containers between uses | Reduces materials loss; increases worker safety; reduces worker exposure |
| Use plunger cans, squeeze bottles or specialized spraying equipment to apply chemicals to the screen | Reduces potential for accidental spills; reduces materials use; reduces worker exposure |
| Consider manual, spot-application of chemicals, where applicable | Reduces materials use; reduces worker exposure if aerosol mists are avoided |
| Use a pump to transfer cleaning solutions from large containers to the smaller containers used at the work station | Reduces potential for accidental spills; reduces worker exposure |
| Reduce the size of the towel or wipe used during clean-up More efficient use of the towel; | reduces solvent use; reduces worker exposure |
| Reuse shop towels on the first pass with ink remover | Reduces material (shop towel and ink remover) use; reduces worker exposure |
| Evaluate alternative chemical: water dilution ratios (increase the amount of water) | Reduces chemical usage with no loss of efficiency; reduced worker exposure |
| Only apply chemicals where necessary | Reduces chemical usage; reduces worker exposure |
| Avoid delays in cleaning and reclaiming the screen | Simplify ink and emulsion removal; less potential for haze on the screen |
| Gravity-drain, wring, or centrifuge excess solvent from rags | Recovers solvent for reuse |
| Place catch basins around the screen during the screen cleaning/reclamation process | Captures chemical overspray for recovery and reuse |
| Use appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, barrier cream, respirator, etc.) | Reduces worker exposure |


