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 SPF
Respiratory 

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:

• information 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 Documents
This 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