Hi guys, just been studying the painting guide, excellent stuff. I'm ex motor trade, taught myself to spray, weld, lead load etc as well as valeting and working 'on the spanners' from leaving school in 1980 till ill health nearly killed me in 1995. When I was at work, health and safety was'nt something we knew much about, or paid much attention to. Most of the chemicals used in valeting contained solvents as well as the fumes from paint prep; panel wipe, thinners and not having any air extraction facilities where I used to spray....doing daft things like washing my hands in cellulose thinners as often I'd have two jobs on the go at once...an oil and filter service as well as some bodywork meant I needed obviously grease and oil free hands..Gloves were'nt available and as I now know to my cost solvents are absorbed through the skin as well as inhaled....In 1995 I collapsed, without warning and was admitted to hospital the following day with 'atrial fibrillation' also known as an irregular heart beat. I was knocked out and given 3 zapps with the paddles to get my heart back into a normal beat, and I have'nt been right since. Before all this I'd had depression....seen psycologysts, pyscotherapists, tried virtually every anti-depressant going and even tried to take my own life on more than one occasion...I've still got this and had it since my early 20's (I've just turned 50). I was diagnosed with M.E. /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , in fact I contacted the London Hazards Centre with details of all the chemicals I'd used over the years and they said I am the same condition as if I had been sniffing glue all those years. I tried for compensation, but my barrister said the case was'nt in their opinion 'strong enough to take to court'....so, I'm on state benefits, my brain wants to work..(I bought a 1983 Alfasud Sprint to restore recently, although whether I'm up to it is another matter), but my body won't let me. The job I loved messed up my life...don't let it happen to you guys...Wear those gloves, take all the safety precations you can, and if your employer does'nt comply, move on and shop them to the H&SE...Lifes too short, lets be careful out there..
Cheers Alfarich156
Cheers Alfarich156
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