Engineering controls and sound workplace practices are often the first line of defense against diisocyanate exposures, and guidelines have been established to help individuals avoid overexposure and adverse health effects. Nevertheless, it is important that employees wear any personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for their specific job functions. With proper precaution and the use of engineering controls and PPE, a worker can protect himself or herself from overexposure to diisocyanates.

It is important for workers to understand and adhere to safe handling practices for any chemical that poses a health hazard. This may include, but is not limited to, wearing eye protection, gloves, coveralls or lab aprons and respiratory protection.

To help protect workers from respiratory hazards and facilitate a company’s compliance with OSHA's Respiratory Protection Program Standard (29 CFR §1910.134), CPI developed a Model Respiratory Protection Program. The program, divided into ten steps, provides user-friendly documents for facilities and guidance on appropriate respirators, respirator use, storage, fit and evaluation.

Through these product stewardship services, CPI can help its members and their customers manage product development, manufacture and distribution, marketing, use and ultimate disposal of polyurethane products in a safe, healthy and environmentally sound way.

Safe Handling of Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (MDI) and Safe Handling of Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Videos
The following MDI and TDI videos are made available by International Isocyanates Institute in good faith, is believed to be accurate and reliable, but may well be incomplete and/or not applicable to all conditions or situations that may be encountered.  No representation, guarantee or warranty is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the contents or that the application or use of any of the information and recommendations herein will avoid, reduce or ameliorate hazards, accidents, losses, damages or injury of any kind to persons or property. Viewers are therefore cautioned to satisfy themselves as to the applicability and suitability of said information and recommendations for the purposes intended prior to use.

Documents

Interior Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation - Personal Protective Equipment (8-1/2" x 11" Poster)
The Use Of Polyurethanes in Food Contact
HYGIÈNE INDUSTRIELLE MÉTHODES DE SURVEILLANCE DE LA QUALITÉ DE L’AIR MDI ET TDI
Métodos de Higiene Industrial para Monitoreo en Aire de MDI y TDI
Seis passos para a segurança contra incêndio durante a construção
Six étapes vers la sécurité incendie lors de la construction
Seis pasos para la seguridad contra incendio durante la construcción
Guías de Seguridad y Manejo para Mezclas de Resinas de Poliol
Working with TDI: What You Should Know (Traditional Chinese)
Working with TDI: What You Should Know (Simplified Chinese)
Trabalhando com TDI: O Que Você Deve Saber
Travailler Avec Le TDI: Ce Que Vous Devez Savoir
Trabajando con TDI: Lo Que Usted Debe Saber
Working with MDI and Polymeric MDI: What You Should Know (Traditional Chinese)
Working with MDI and Polymeric MDI: What You Should Know (Simplified Chinese)
Trabalhando com MDI e MDI Polimérico: O Que Você Deve Saber
Travailler Avec le MDI et le MDI Polymère: Ce Que Vous Devez Savoir
Trabajando con MDI y MDI-Polimérico: Lo Que Usted Debe Saber
Instrucciones para transporte de MDI
Instrucciones para transportes de TDI
Diretrizes para o Usuário de TDI Seleção de Equipamentos de Proteção
Guías del Usuario de TDI para la Selección de Ropa de Protección
Diretrizes para o Usuário de PMDI Seleção de Equipamentos de Proteção
Directives pour Utilisateurs de PMDI Sélection de Vêtements de Protection
Guías del Usuario de PMDI para la Selección de Ropa de Protección
Diretrizes para a Disposição Responsável de Resíduos e Recipientes Originários do Processamento de Poliuretano
Directives pour l’élimination responsable des déchets et conteneurs issus du traitement du polyuréthane
Instrucciones para la Eliminación Responsable de Desechos y Contenedores procedentes del Procesamiento de Poliuretanos
Guidelines for the Responsible Disposal of Wastes and Containers from Polyurethane Processing
Hazard Information Relevant to Labeling of Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (MDI) Containing Products for the Consumer Marketplace
Risk Management Program and Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI)
Catalizadores Aminicos para Poliuretanos: Guias para el Manejo y Disposicion Segura
Update: TDI in the National Air Toxic Assessment (NATA)
OSHA MSDS Enforcement Initiative and TDI Products
Fusion de Tolueno Diisocianato (TDI) em Tambores
Fusion del Diisocianato de Tolueno (TDI) en Tambores
Liquefazendo 4,4'-Diisocianato-difenil-metano (MDI) em Tambores
Fusion del Diisocianato Difenil Metileno 4,4' (MDI) en Tambores
Recubrimiento Para Las Cajas De Camionses Y Pick UP's
Exposure Control Guidelines in the Truck Bed Liner (TBL) Industry for High Pressure System Applications
Handling the Heat: Polyurethanes & Thermal Degradation
Equipment Guidelines for Diisocyanate Storage Tanks
Exposure Control Guidelines in the Truck Bed Liner Industry for Low Pressure System Applications
Exterior Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation - Personal Protective Equipment (11" x 17" Poster)
[Large File Size - 6MB]
Exterior Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation - Personal Protective Equipment (18" x 24" Poster)
[Large File Size - 12MB]
Exterior Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation - Personal Protective Equipment (24" x 36" Poster)
[Large File Size - 20MB]
Interior Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation - Personal Protective Equipment (11" x 17" Poster)
[Large File Size - 6MB]
Interior Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation - Personal Protective Equipment (18" x 24" Poster)
[Large File Size - 13MB]
Interior Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation - Personal Protective Equipment (24" x 36" Poster)
[Large File Size - 23MB]
Model Respiratory Protection Program
Spray on Truck Bed Liner Applications Using MDI/PMDI; Seven Important Points
MDI Transportation Guidelines
Melting 4,4'-Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanates (MDI) in Drums
Melting Toluene Diisocyanates (TDI) in Drums
Polyol Resin Blends Safety and Handling Guidelines
PMDI User Guidelines for Chemical Protective Clothing Selection
Polyurethane Amine Catalysts: Guidelines for Safe Handling & Disposal
Polyurethane and Polyisocyanurate Foam: Six Steps for Fire Safety During Construction
TDI Transportation Guidelines
TDI User Guidelines for Chemical Protective Clothing Selection
Truck Bed Liners: Worker Protection
Working with MDI and Polymeric MDI: What You Should Know
Working with TDI: What You Should Know

spotlight

The polyurethane industry, working together through the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) and the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), has launched an enhanced product stewardship program to support further understanding of the benefits of spray polyurethane foam and its continued safe use and handling. A part of this outreach, a new Spray Polyurethane Foam Health and Safety website, www.spraypolyurethane.com, has been launched by CPI and SPFA that contains new materials, literature and posters to increase understanding of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) product stewardship information.

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