Medal Paints, a member of the SA Paint Manufacturing Association, has introduced new child-resistant safety caps on the 750ml bottles of all solvents it produces. Chirag Madhu, MD of Industria-based Medal Paints, says the special safety caps are similar to those used on bottled drugs and medications and is used to seal bottles of Medal solvents such as lacquer thinners, linseed and teak oils, paraffin, methylated spirits and benzene. Relatively strong downward pressure has to be exerted before the screw top will open.

“We also use a stronger type of PET bottles for these solvents to impart further protection to the consumers – and their children,” Madhu states. He says there are substantial additional costs involved in using the new bottles for solvents – a move that the Pick n Pay Group, for which Medal is sole supplier of private label solvents, regards as a non-negotiable prerogative. “I would estimate that we now pay around 50% more for empty 750ml bottles and their caps. But we have had not a single incident of a child opening a bottle of solvent and drinking or inhaling it since we started using the new bottle tops. We are passionate about the child-safe tops because children tend to be inquisitive, and the smell of some of the solvents can tempt them to take a sip of the liquid, or try to inhale it.”

He said not all retailers had welcomed Medal’s decision to increase solvent prices in the interests of safety. “We have countered this criticism by suggesting that retailers should take the responsibility of advising their customers about the additional safety they receive for paying a little more. I must add that Medal, despite our slightly higher prices, are still selling satisfactory volumes of solvents which must mean that the message is getting through to the consumers.”

Medal Paints has never used methanol in its lacquer thinner formula but instead uses ‘virgin’ thinning liquid supplied by the refineries. “Other manufacturers may cut costs by using methanol to dilute the compound but in this case we also prefer employing the more expensive option in the interests of safety. Furthermore, methanol is highly inflammable so we prefer not carrying stocks in our factory.”

SAPMA – which is involved in an on-going campaign to remove methanol from lacquer thinners – has welcomed the move by Medal Paints. Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA, describes it as a “pioneering breakthrough” which reflects SAPMA members’ concern for health and safety in its product ranges. “In fact, our Code of Ethics state that SAPMA members shall ‘constantly promote and strengthen the coatings industry’s commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety and environmental performance, including packaging and the handling of transportation and hazardous goods’. We commend Medal on its ‘safety-first’ policy, despite the extra costs involved – and shall encourage more of our members to follow suit,” he stated.