Boat builders

Abstract

Boat building represents an industry with diverse exposure to skin and respiratory sensitizers and irritants as well as toxic substances and vapors. Modern boats are most often made of reinforced plastics (plastic composites) from thermosetting resins and manufactured by lamination methods such as open lamination, vacuum lamination, and prepreg techniques. Less marine composite boats are made from thermoplastic resins and molded by machine. Construction of wooden boats and cabinets of plastic boats includes carpentry tasks. The skin sensitizers include, e.g., plastic composite resins, glues, paints, and varnishes as well as exotic woods; the plastic chemicals are numerous and consist of polyesters, epoxies, polyurethanes, and acrylates. The skin irritants include, e.g., sanding and sawing dusts, glass fiber dust, and solvents.