OSHA Safety and Health Regulations Related to SPF Applications

Module Two: Hazard Communication

This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Module Two: Hazard Communication

Container labeling

Material Safety Data Sheets

Employee training.

The hazards covered and discussed must be specific to the workplace.

A side (polymeric diisocyanate)

B side (polyol resin)

Solvents

DPM (dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether) (used as gun cleaner)

Mineral Spirits (used in silicone coatings)

Xylene/toluene (used in polyurethane coatings)

MEK (methyl ethyl ketone, used in polyurethane coatings)

A-Side Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) Concerns

MDI is classified as hazardous for shipping & storage purposes

Reacts with Water

Persons can be sensitized by inhaling vapors or by skin contact

OSHA PEL .02 ppm

ACGIH TLV-TWA 0.005 ppm

Requires PPE specific to job task

Empty containers require special handling for disposal

This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Over exposure can cause

Sensitization

Coughing;

Chest-tightness/discomfort;

Shortness of breath; and

Reduced lung function

Respiratory sensitization can result from:

One massive overexposure

Repeated exposure to airborne concentrations above the exposure limit

B-Side Main Health Concerns

Inhalation overexposure may cause respiratory irritation

Skin or eye contact may cause irritation at the site

Foggy vision known as blue haze or halovision. (Vision restored within a few hours
after exposure ceases)

Amine catalysts associated with fishy odor

Neither OSHA nor ACGIH has established exposure limits for polyols

How to Handle Empty A-Side Containers

Should not be used to store other materials

Storing other materials in containers that previously held MDI could lead to a chemical
reaction and potential worker safety issues

NO cutting or hot torches to cut used MDI containers

Punctured or crushed containers prevent reuse

This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Hazardous Material Identification System (HMIS) Labeling System

Uses scale of 0 to 4 (0 is lowest hazard; 4 is the highest)

Health (blue rectangle)

Flammability (red rectangle)

Reactivity (yellow rectangle)

NFPA Labeling System

Uses scale of 0 to 4 (0 is lowest hazard; 4 is the highest)

Left diamond: Health

Top diamond: Fire

Right diamond: Reactivity

Bottom: Special/specific hazards

This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Quiz - Module Two: Hazard Communication

Which of the following is not included under the Hazcom Standard?

a.

Labeling

b.

Training

c.

OSHA Injury recordkeeping

d.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

2.

HMIS and NFPA are used to describe

a.

Chemical makeup of A side and B side materials

b.

Departments found within EPA

c.

Acronyms for OSHA standards

d.

Labeling systems for containers

3.

The main chemicals used in SPF applications include:

a.

A side, B side and solvents

b.

A side, B side and C side

c.

A side and solvents

d.

B side, water and solvents

4.

Overexposure to A-side Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) does not cause:

a.

Chest tightness

b.

Shortness of breath

c.

Reduced lung function

d.

Increased intelligence

This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

5.

Persons who inhale A side vapors can become sensitized.

a.

True

b.

False

6.

Empty A side containers may be used to store other materials.

a.

True

b.

False

7.

B-side health concerns include blue haze or halovision.

a.

True

b.

False

8.

On the HMIS label, the number four in the red rectangle describes:

a.

A moderate level health hazard

b.

A low level fire hazard

c.

A high level reactivity hazard

d.

A high level fire hazard

9.

Which statement is true?

a.

Material Safety Data Sheets are not required for solvents

b.

Empty A side containers require special handling for disposal

c.

Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) has no health related concerns

d.

Cutting of empty A side containers is permissible

10. The Hazard Communication standard is required by law.

True

False
This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Answer Sheet for Quiz - Module Two: Hazard Communication

Which of the following is not included under the Hazcom Standard?

a.

Labeling

b.

Training

c.

OSHA Injury recordkeeping

d.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

2.

HMIS and NFPA are used to describe

a.

Chemical makeup of A side and B side materials

b.

Departments found within EPA

c.

Acronyms for OSHA standards

d.

Labeling systems for containers

3.

The main chemicals used in SPF applications include:

a.

A side, B side and solvents

b.

A side, B side and C side

c.

A side and solvents

d.

B side, water and solvents

4.

Overexposure to A-side Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) does not cause:

a.

Chest tightness

b.

Shortness of breath

c.

Reduced lung function

d.

Increased intelligence

This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

5.

Persons who inhale A side vapors can become sensitized.

a.

True

b.

False

6.

Empty A side containers may be used to store other materials.

a.

True

b.

False

7.

B-side health concerns include blue haze or halovision.

a.

True

b.

False

8.

On the HMIS label, the number four in the red rectangle describes:

a.

A moderate level health hazard

b.

A low level fire hazard

c.

A high level reactivity hazard

d.

A high level fire hazard

9.

Which statement is true?

a.

Material Safety Data Sheets are not required for solvents

b.

Empty A side containers require special handling for disposal

c.

Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) has no health related concerns

d.

Cutting of empty A side containers is permissible

10. The Hazard Communication standard is required by law.

True

False
This material was produced under grant number SH210031060F12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.