Are there many idiots dry sanding anti fouling where you are

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Are there many idiots dry sanding anti fouling where you are or is it just my yard.
I seems a epidemic of Aldi/Liddl electric sanders has brought out the hibernators in my area. In a effort to catch up they merrily sand for hours on end.They wear cheap face masks and don't bother about anyone else.
Is it just me or does the panel think it is the norm and we should accept the associated risks.
 
I agree with you. If people want to cover themselves and their boats with toxic dust - good luck to them. But I don't want it all over my boat.

A few years ago my boat was laid up in the shed in a boatyard in Chichester harbour. One day a cretin employed by the yard arrived at the boat next to me, fully kitted out with full mask and overalls, and began dry sanding its antifouling, producing a cloud of blue dust. The halfwit couldn't understand why I objected to being exposed to something he had taken care to protect himself from.
 
Complain to the individual.

Complain to the yard.

Make threatening noises about involving the Health and Safety people.

Unplug the sander

And take photos "to use as evidence in the event of a claim "
 
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DanTribe said:
Just how toxic is antifouling these days?
It doesn't seem to upset barnacles or weed very much, in fact I sometimes think they actually enjoy it.
Click to expand...

I know that it depends on where you are but in 2007 I used 'Copperkiller' from John at Tradboats. When we came out of the water last year (a year later than planned) there wasn't a single thing stuck to the hull. Might be worth a try?

Edit: I should point out that we are in fresh, not salt
 
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DanTribe said:
Just how toxic is antifouling these days?
It doesn't seem to upset barnacles or weed very much, in fact I sometimes think they actually enjoy it.
Click to expand...
Someone did post some technical data about antifoul the other week.
It seemed that it was still worth being careful.
However other googling has shown that it is the solvents that carry the antifoul which are properly harmful. So sanding down old antifoul is more on the irritant scale (lungs, skin and other boatowners). It's applying the new which needs the PSE.

It seems that unless it is an occupational exposure the dry sanding of one boat once a year isn't much of a health hazard.

Done in your own garden it shouldn't upset anyone. Done in a breezy boatyard it will upset lots.

I await someone telling me it is as dangerous as the Black Death and supporting that contention with hard facts.
 
It is probably illegal!

Whilst in Netherlands and Belgium we were obliged to use a sander with extractor hired from the yard and pay for the safe disposal of the material.
We were also required to cover the ground and dispose of any debris appropriately.

Was a big decider for us to go the CopperCoat route.

Also there was a calendar and a date after which no sanding was allowed in the yard, so that any painting going on would not be compromised.

Seemed to work well
 
Gwylan said:
Whilst in Netherlands and Belgium we were obliged to use a sander with extractor hired from the yard and pay for the safe disposal of the material.
We were also required to cover the ground and dispose of any debris appropriately.
Click to expand...

We lived in Netherlands for seven years and found your point to be very yard dependent. We hauled out at one that was extremely strict, whereas at another we could do whatever we wanted. The owner of the first told us that the local police were very keen on green issues and made regular, frequent inspections. Presumably this didn't happen at the other.
 
Hmm.
International Paints H&E advice is that it is the solvent that is dangerous.
Will there be any solvent left in an antifoul coating that has been on for a year?

Accepted advice is that everyone knows antifoul is dangerous.

Is it?

Where is the proper proof of that?
 
Lakesailor said:
Someone did post some technical data about antifoul the other week.
It seemed that it was still worth being careful.
However other googling has shown that it is the solvents that carry the antifoul which are properly harmful. So sanding down old antifoul is more on the irritant scale (lungs, skin and other boatowners). It's applying the new which needs the PSE.

It seems that unless it is an occupational exposure the dry sanding of one boat once a year isn't much of a health hazard.

Done in your own garden it shouldn't upset anyone. Done in a breezy boatyard it will upset lots.

I await someone telling me it is as dangerous as the Black Death and supporting that contention with hard facts.
Click to expand...

For Info: From Cruiser Uno Data Sheet

GENERAL: Contains biocides. Antifoulings should only be wet sanded. Never dry sand or burn-off old
antifoulings. Read the label safety section for Health and Safety Information, also available from our
Technical Help Line.
Click to expand...
 
I have also found several documents which say that dry antifoul is toxic.
I also understand that MacDonalds warn customers that their coffee is hot and that some packets of salted peanuts warn that the packet contains nuts.

Since 2008 only low risk antifoul has been available, it would seem.

The EU Biocides Directive is concerned
with the regulation of biocidal products
on the market and applies to a wide
range of products including antifouling
paints. The Directive is implemented
through the Biocidal Products
Regulations 2001, applicable in
England, Wales and Scotland and
through the Biocidal Products
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 as
amended for Northern Ireland.
Under these regulations, all of the
biocides used in the marine industry in
the UK had to be evaluated by 2008
with regard to their efficacy and safety
to humans and the environment. Only
substances having passed this
evaluation, as 'low risk' or 'basic'
substances, will be listed in Annex I of
the Directive and can be placed on the
market. This review led to the
subsequent banning of Diuron and
Irgarol 1051 for use in antifouling on
vessels less than 25m in length.
Use
No specific legislation is in place to
regulate the use of antifouling paints by
boat owners, however general
provisions under the Water Resources
Act 1991 regulate any polluting matter
entering controlled waters.
Click to expand...
 
Lakesailor said:
Hmm.
International Paints H&E advice is that it is the solvent that is dangerous.
Will there be any solvent left in an antifoul coating that has been on for a year?
Click to expand...

You may well be looking at the H&S data for just the application of fresh paint when solvents will be an issue and the other ingredients in the paint will not become free particles in the atmosphere.

If you look at bit further; http://www.boatpaint.co.uk/datashee..._Manuals/International_antifoulings_guide.pdf you'll see that International say on page 16
NOTE:
Even if the antifouling is exhausted, the dust and fumes given off during dry
sanding will still be toxic.​
Mind you on page 13 they say don't wet sand, which I thought was the way to do it.

Proof enough for me. I don't think its worth filling your lungs with the dust.
 
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