Authors

Massachusetts Floor Finishing Safety Task Force

Summary

This article summarizes a partnership between the Bowdoin Street Health Center, Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health, New Ecology, Inc., University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (Viet-AID).  This article summarized information for legislators who seek to promote safer floor finishing practices, as well as recommendations for employers, unions, professional organizations, consumers and community organizations to understand hazards and safety measures related to floor finishing.

Type of Data/Science

Survey of products used by floor finishers, safer alternatives and practices.

Type of Community Action

Policy recommendations.

Lessons Learned

Small business owners face a number of barriers to safer and healthier products and practices.  Many businesses in Boston are owned by Vietnamese immigrants.  There is very little information or taining on safer finishing techniques in Vietnamese, and many distributors do not stock or promote safer products at affordable costs.

Many non-flammable floor finishing products are commercially available.  However, these products are not carried or promoted by distributors.  Occupational Safety and Health Regulators could also build in incentives to use the safer products and processes.

Required licensing of floor finishers has advantages and disadvantages.  If licensing were required, you could incorporate adequate safety training, and promote safer products.  However, licensing might produce some discrimination, driving businesses underground to avoid fees and requirements, and the creation of a two-tiered system.  These advantages and disadvantages must be carefully weighed before passing legislation.