### February 23, 2012 

# SPRAY POLYURETHANE FOAM 

# HEALTH & SAFETY PRESENTATION FOR THE “GOOD JOBS GREEN JOBS 

# PROGRAM”

Bill Robert, BASF Corporation

# Industry
- led SPF Product 

# Stewardship

ACC Center for the Polyurethanes Industry

 Voice of polyurethanes industry in North America

 Promotes sustainable growth of PU industry for all end user markets

 Coordinates with user groups and global partners

 CPI history of Product Stewardship

 Guidance materials on polyurethane raw materials

 Creation and promotion of polyurethane product stewardship materials including brochures, videos, training programs and websites

# POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS WHEN WORKING WITH SPFRespiratory

Tract Eyes Skin Other

A

- Side / MDI Irritation.

Sensitization (asthma) Irritation Irritation. Sensitization (allergy) B

- Side / Polyol Blend Irritation Irritation. Hazy/Halo Vision (amine catalysts) Irritation Irregular Heartbeat (blowing agent) 

## Summary of Potential Health Effects of Overexposure to SPF Chemicals

## MDI Sensitization



##  Can no longer work with isocyanates, as sensitization can be permanent

.



##  Once sensitized, continued exposure may lead to a chronic respiratory condition wherein other agents, such as dust, other irritants, and/or cold air may cause asthmatic responses.



##  Once sensitized, continued exposure may lead to more severe asthma attacks, which can be life threatening.

# GOOD WORK PRACTICES

# OSHA

– Hazard Communications
Employer Responsibility

 Develop a written HazCom program

 Provide a List of Hazardous Chemicals

 Ensure Accessibility to MSDSs

 Provide proper PPE for each job

 Provide Employee Training

Worker Responsibility

 Read and understand the MSDS

 Be knowledgeable of the chemicals you are using

 Understand the hazards

 Use the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 Be prepared in the event of an upset situation

# Site Preparation

– 

# Occupant Outreach Before work begins, discuss potential safety hazards and precautions with the owner/occupant or project manager including:

• i nformation about potential hazards associated with SPF application

• re - occupancy time

• explanation of safety controls

• post job clean
- up

# PPE for Spray Foaming: 

# Exterior

For exterior high pressure SPF application,

applicators and helpers typically wear :

 Protective clothing, worn so no skin is 

### exposed,

 Gloves, such as fabric gloves fully coated with nitrile, neoprene, butyl rubber, or PVC, and



###  A full face air
- purifying respirator (APR) or a supplied air respirator (SAR). Note that the helpers and applicators in the 

### immediate spray area typically wear the same PPE, including the same type of respiratory protection.

# PPE for Spray Foaming: 

# Interior During interior high pressure SPF

application, applicators and helpers typically wear:

 Protective clothing, worn so that no 

### skin is exposed

 Gloves, such as fabric gloves fully coated with nitrile, neoprene, butyl 

### rubber, or PVC

 Full
- face or loose
- fitting supplied air respirator (SAR). Note that helpers and applicators in the immediate spray area typically wear the same PPE, including the same type of respiratory protection.

# AVAILABLE RESOURCES

# Worker Training and Performance

CPI’s National SPF Health and Safety Training and Testing

• Launched in late 2010 focused on high
- pressure SPF

• Over 3700 users to date

• Free, online training available 24/7

• Instructor
- led function was automated in 2011 so classes can be scheduled, tests downloaded, and scores uploaded online

• Modules updated in 2011

• Searchable database of those with legitimate records of completion

• Training statistics shared with members and with Federal agencies monthly

# Worker Training and Performance

CPI’s National SPF Health and Safety Training and Testing Highlights

 First Aid

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 Good Safety Practices

 Potential exposure to A
- side and B
- side

 Potential chemical exposure during spraying

 Thermal Decomposition

# Spray Polyurethane Foam: Posters www.spraypolyurethane.com

# Spray Polyurethane Foam: Guidance www.spraypolyurethane.com

# New Guidance DocumentsThis video provides general guidance for professionals on how to apply low

- pressure spray polyurethane foam. It is intended as a supplement to other job safety information already available such as specialized training, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), product label information and other materials. 

### Working Safely with Low
- Pressure Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation

Online DVD

The video is available to view or download at www.spraypolyurethane.org.

# Worker Training and Performance 

# 2012

High pressure SPF Spanish translation and voice over planned for 2012 Low Pressure SPF Training Module under development now

• Builds on knowledge base of high
- pressure training

• Will be available on the same learning management system module

• Will be created in English and Spanish

• Target completion date is Fall 2012

# Conclusion

 SPF is helping to fuel the economic recovery and represents an excellent way for building operators and homeowners to improve on energy efficiency.

 Communication and training are essential to continuing to improve health and safety of workers, and helping the public understand the benefits of SPF.

 Product stewardship is about health and safety, and supporting the industry’s reputation and the sustainable growth of the industry.

 CPI is committed to creating information, tools and programs to enhance product stewardship.

# Thank You

Posters and guidance documents available at www.spraypolyurethane.org