Investigation of Health Hazards of Using Epoxy Resin in the Manufacturing of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) Boats

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

For this piece of work, I acknowledge the blessing of my Lord who enabled me to complete the study through countering various hurdles and challenges. In addition, I would like to acknowledge my research supervisor who assisted me throughout the period of this dissertation completion. Without his support and supervision, I would have never been able to complete this dissertation. Last, but not the least, I would like acknowledge the kind support of my family who always backed my abilities and skills to study this far.

DECLARATION

I would like to declare that everything presented in this dissertation is original in nature and does not repeat any previous findings and results. I declare that the information presented in this study has been gathered solely for the purpose of academic studies. Before conducting this research, I had a complete understanding of the guidelines, requirements and regulations of my University.

ABSTRACT

Epoxy resin is an integral part of the marine market today. When properly mixed and provided, the correct additives are developed having unsuspected abilities for plastic. On the subject of plastic in boats, it naturally falls first under the abbreviation GRP which stands for Glass Reinforced Plastic. Today, the applications are many and the boat-building are no longer indispensable. Shipyards such as self builders today work with all plastic of course, seal them, amplify, filling, profiling and laminate. Epoxy resin system consist of basic epoxy resin, diluents (reactive and non reactive), hardeners, catalyst, additive colours and fillers, most of these components are severe threat to health of the industrial workers. Different manufacturing techniques like Wet/Hand Lay-up, Spray layup, Basic Vacuum Bagging, Filament Winding, Pultrusion, Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) and Prepreg (Pre-Impregnated) Moulding have been used. Some of them are specially introduced to minimize the toxicity of the basic epoxy resin and its components. On the other hand appropriate PPEs (Personal Protective Equipments) are advised, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) been provided and special diets are given respectively to minimize the toxicity of epoxy resin system. Journals, scholarly writings, manufactures data sheets (MSDS), safety bulletin of HSE regulating bodies and related online contents been studied to meet the aim and objectives of this dissertation. Both short and long term associated health hazards have been investigated and classified according to the type of exposure e.g. contact and inhalation. Main effected organs are skin, eyes, nose and lungs. Some of the diseases are Bronchitis, Asthma, Skin dermatitis, Skin cancer and Lungs cancer. The Risk level of Epoxy Resin system associated health hazards in different boat building manufacturing techniques been calculated on exposure while Mixing, application and curing time.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

LIST OF FIGURESVII

INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Background1

1.2 Aims and Objectives2

1.3 Research Questions2

1.4 Layout of the Dissertation2

LITERATURE REVIEW4

2.1 Glass Reinforced Plastic4

2.2 Background of GRP Boat Manufacturing5

2.3 Epoxy Resin System6

2.4 Epoxy Resin System components with their Functions8

2.5 Classification of the uncured basic Epoxy Resins9

2.6 Associated Health Hazards of Epoxy System Components9

METHODOLOGY12

3.1 Research ...