Carrying out the application of marine coatings using spray methods
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to apply marine coatings to various substrates, using manual spray guns, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to obtain all necessary information in order to carry out the coating operations. You will be required to check that all surfaces to be coated have been prepared, in accordance with the process specification, and that any necessary exclusion, containment, masking, protection and ventilation requirements are implemented. You will be expected to select the appropriate and/or specified equipment and to ensure that it is correctly set up, maintained and adjusted. You will be expected to apply a variety of coatings in a number of shipyard and shipboard environments.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the spray coating activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, alone or in conjunction with others, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will provide an informed approach to applying liquid marine coatings by spray methods. You will have an understanding of the spraying procedures and techniques used and their application. You will know about the substrates, their preparation requirements, coating materials and their preparation requirements, in sufficient depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities and for ensuring that the coated surfaces are to the required standards.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the spraying operations. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and to others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- ensure the material surfaces to be treated are suitably prepared for the finishing operations to be carried out
- check that the finishing equipment and coatings are set up and maintained at satisfactory operating conditions and levels
- carry out the application process in accordance with operating procedures and the component specification requirements
- ensure that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specification
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- dispose of waste and excess materials in line with agreed organisational procedures
- shut down the finishing equipment to a safe condition, and reinstate the work area on completion of the processing activities
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the safe working practices and procedures to be observed when working with marine coatings and spray application equipment (such as general workshop and site safety, appropriate protective equipment, protecting other workers from the effects of the work, safety in enclosed/confined spaces, working at height, use of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), atmospheric controls)
- statutory requirements, risk assessment procedures and relevant requirements of HASAWA, COSHH (such as Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP), the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, the Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations, the Noise at Work Regulations, the Confined Space Regulations, the Special Waste Regulations, the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations, the Water Resources Act)
- the hazards associated with the storage of, the preparation of and the disposal of marine coating products (including the information to be found in manufacturers' data sheets and in Chemical Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply (CHIPS) data sheets)
- the requirements for working in confined spaces and the importance of emergency procedures and safe systems of work (including safe evacuation, closing down compartments, permits to work, required air quantities (RAQs) and local exhaust ventilation (LEV), to maintain safe conditions; the provision of adequate and safe lighting and avoidance of sources of ignition)
- how particular procedures and materials can result in a compartment or space (such as an accommodation space or tented enclosure) becoming a confined space
- the importance of having regular medical examinations when using solvent based or other hazardous materials
- the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn during the spraying activity, its care and its correct use
- the characteristics of and the applications for, marine coating products (including the use of manufacturers' data sheets, requirements for the application of particular coating systems and contractual specifications)
- the need to ensure that the substrates have been prepared correctly for the coatings to be applied
- the importance of maintaining appropriate environmental conditions for the application and curing of the marine coating products
- the time intervals that are required between coats and why these must be adhered to
- the procedures for the safe handling and use of coating materials and solvents
- the use of paint thinners to adjust the viscosity of the product being applied
- selection of the application equipment to suit the materials and the finish required (to include spray gun atomising and air control, tip size, fluid delivery rates and fan angle)
- the correct grounding and earth continuity of the equipment
- the importance of checking lines for damage and for kinks; the use of a `daily check list'
- the requirements for cleaning pumps, filters, surge chambers and the need to top up the oil cup
- the requirements for cleaning spray guns (including the cleaning of the diffuser, tip and tip guard, the flushing of the gun and of the lines, the lubrication of the needle)
- why tool/equipment control is critical and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the activities
- the techniques required for the application of marine coating products to a variety of surfaces
- the requirements for working afloat, on outer bottoms and at heights
- the importance of avoiding overspray; the need for containment and for exclusion zones
- the procedures to contain and to clear away spillages
- the identification of faults in application and their causes and correction (to include distorted patterns, tailing, dry spray, overspray and pinholing)
- simple non-destructive testing procedures to ensure that adhesion and other required performance qualities are achieved
- minimising and handling waste materials (including the environmental impact of the materials you are using and the minimisation of this impact)
- the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Ensure that the appropriate measures are implemented before starting the application of the coatings, to include carrying out all of the following:
- use appropriate health and safety documentation, including CHIPS data and risk assessments
- wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times during the coating operations
- ensure that appropriate exclusion zones and containment facilities are set up
- ensure that equipment is correctly prepared for the spraying operations (such as spray guns, air supplies)
- carry out any necessary masking
- confirm that appropriate emergency arrangements are in place for any confined space or hazardous work (where applicable)
- provide weather protection for the areas to be sprayed (where appropriate)
- ensure that environmental conditions meet the requirements for the application of the coating (such as surface temperature, air humidity)
- provide any means required to promote the curing of the coating (such as air supply, warm air)
- leave the work area in a safe and clean condition on completion of the activities
Apply coatings, by spraying, to marine structures incorporating six of the following features:
- corners (such as outside corners, edges, `obscured' corners)
- level surfaces
- curved surfaces
- vertical flat surfaces
- overhead surfaces
- horizontal flat surfaces
- slender components
- inclined surfaces
- round parts
Apply marine coatings, by spraying, in six of the following situations:
- confined spaces (such as tanks, voids, double bottoms)
- internal spaces
- at height
- outer bottoms
- weatherwork
- weather decks
- machinery
Apply marine coatings in two of the following environments:
- ashore
- in a spray cell
- afloat
Apply spray coatings using two of the following types of equipment:
- conventional spray
- air-assisted airless spray
- airless spray
- high volume/low pressure
Plus one more from the following:
5. bottom feed (deck) lance
6. electrostatic spray
7. hopper gun
8. plural pump system
Apply spray coatings to all of the following substrates:
- uncoated ferrous material
- previously coated ferrous material
- uncoated non-ferrous material
- previously coated non-ferrous material
Plus one more from the following:
5. composite material
6. wood
7. compliant polymers
8. ceramics
Apply four of the following marine coatings:
- holding primer
- water based acrylics
- solvent based epoxies
- alkyds/silicone alkyds
- water based epoxies
Plus two more from the following:
6. non-skid deck paints
7. tar epoxy paints
8. bituminous paints
9. zinc ethyl silicate paints
10. chlorinated rubber paints
11. shop primer
12. vinyl tar paints
13. mastics
14. two-component polyurethane paints
15. glass flake polyester coatings
16. anti-fouling coatings
Apply spray coatings, using the appropriate techniques, to achieve all of the following:
- correct film thickness
- complete coverage of the surface to be coated
- correct banding
- smooth surface, free from runs and drips
Check coating thickness, using one of the following methods:
- wet film thickness gauge (combs, wet film)
- dry film thickness gauge (cured coating)
Apply spray coatings to components, in accordance with one of the following standards:
- BS, EN or ISO standards and procedures
- customer (contractual) standards and requirements
- company standards and procedures
- paint/covering manufacturer's recommendations
- recognised compliance agency/body's standards
Reinstate the work area on completion of the spraying activities, to include carrying out all of the following:
- cleaning the spraying equipment and returning all tools and excess materials
- removing protection and exclusion arrangements (if no longer required)
- completing all relevant documentation (such as condition/pre-treatment of substrates, coating material preparation, equipment settings, confirmation of standard of finish)
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment