Note: Includes mixing of thinners or solvents, but no nitrocellulose manufacturing.

Shall not be assigned to a risk engaged in operations described by another classification unless the operations subject to Code 4558 are conducted as a separate and distinct business.

Code 4558 applies to employers engaged in manufacturing paint such as water-based paint, oil paint, enamel paint, casein paint (used by artists) and other paints including calcimine and whitewash paint. This classification includes manufacturing stains and resin-based varnishes. Raw materials that are used in this process includes such items as pigments, drying oils, binders, resins, solvents and thinners (water or organic liquid such as turpentine).

This classification also applies to color grinding, blending and testing. Applies to operations involving dry materials with no handling of flammable, poisonous, caustic, corrosive or oxidizing materials. Not applicable to the manufacturing of ingredients.

The manufacturing of lacquers or spirit varnishes is also applicable to this lassification. An employer will receive color pigments (powder or liquid), solvents or thinners such as (alcohol, methanol, butyl acetate, xylene), resins, and ester gums. The materials are mixed in vats or tanks according to formula and the ingredients are stirred until the resins are completely dispersed. Lacquer and varnishes are made the same way, however, lacquers contain more inflammable materials.

Spirit varnishes are made from resin or a film forming substance in a solvent that harden by evaporation when applied to surfaces. The varnishes must be made at a temperature below the flash point of the solvents used. The resulting mixtures are then filled into tanks or drums, labeled and shipped to the employer’s customers.