Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Safe Handling and Application of Spray Foam

The following outlines the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for the safe handling and application of spray foam, addressing respiratory, eye, and skin protection to mitigate chemical exposure and inhalation hazards. Spray foam often contains hazardous components, such as isocyanates, which require stringent safety measures.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is crucial when applying spray foam, especially in poorly ventilated areas or when exposure limits are exceeded.

General Requirements:

• If exposure limits are listed and may be exceeded, use approved respiratory protective equipment and filter type appropriate for the listed ingredients (NIOSH, CEN, etc.)
• Refer to 29 CFR 1910.134 and CSA Z94.4 for information on selection and use of appropriate respiratory protection equipment.

Specific Recommendations:

• Supplied Air Respirators: Due to the presence of isocyanate, supplied air respirators must be worn whenever the product is applied in poorly ventilated areas unless local exhaust will maintain exposures below acceptable limits. A positive pressure supplied-air respirator should be used in situations where the material might be exposed to extreme overheating due to misuse or equipment failure. Half facepiece or full facepiece supplied-air respirator.
• Chemical Cartridge Respirators: A chemical cartridge respirator with an organic vapor cartridge is required when local exhaust is unavailable or inadequate to control exposures below required limits.
• Air-Purifying Respirators: When supplied-air respirators are not available or use is not practical, an air-purifying respirator may be an acceptable alternative if recommendations are followed. Use an air-purifying respirator fitted with an organic vapor cartridge and a well-managed cartridge change schedule. Cartridges should be replaced on a daily basis at a minimum due to low exposure limits and poor odor warning properties. A viable isocyanate measurement system should be used to monitor workplace levels.
• Ventilation: Use of fans to improve air circulation and general ventilation or exhaust ventilation to remove MDI vapors when working in confined spaces.
• Mask Type: Gas filter type A1-P2 according to EN 14387
• Half facepiece or full facepiece air-purifying respirator suitable for organic vapors and particulates

Eye Protection

Eye protection is essential to prevent chemical splashes and vapor exposure during spray foam application.

Requirements:

• Safety Glasses: Safety glasses with side shield protection should be worn to prevent contact due to splashing.
• Tightly Sealed Goggles: Under high vapor mist concentrations, tightly sealed goggles should be worn.
• Face Shield: A face shield should also be worn if there is potential exposure to splash or spray.
• Use close fitting safety goggles, don't use eye lens.
• Select and use eye/face protection to prevent contact based on the results of an exposure assessment. The following eye/face protection(s) are recommended: Full Face Shield, Indirect Vented Goggles

Skin Protection

Skin protection is necessary to avoid direct contact with spray foam chemicals, which can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and other health issues.

Requirements:

• Gloves: Gloves should be worn to prevent skin contact and should be impermeable and resistant to the product. Suitable materials for safety gloves; 29 CFR 1910.138 - ANSI/ISEA 105: Polychloroprene - CR: thickness >=0,5mm; breakthrough time >=480min. Nitrile rubber - NBR: thickness >=0,35mm; breakthrough time >=480min. Butyl rubber IIR: thickness >=0,5mm; breakthrough time >=480min. Fluorinated rubber FKM: thickness >=0,4mm; breakthrough time >=480min. Use impervious gloves that provides comprehensive protection, e.g. P.V.C., neoprene or rubber.
• Protective Clothing: Use clothing that provides comprehensive protection to the skin, e.g. cotton, rubber, PVC, or viton. If the product is used in a manner that presents a higher potential for exposure (e.g., spraying, high splash potential, etc.), then the use of protective coveralls may be necessary. Select and use body protection to prevent contact based on the results of an exposure assessment. The following protective clothing material(s) are recommended: Apron - polymer laminate
• Wear suitable protective clothing

Additional Protective Measures

• General Hygiene: The usual precautionary measures for handling chemicals should be followed. Avoid contact with the eyes and skin.
• Contaminated Clothing: Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Contaminated work clothing must not be allowed out of the workplace.
• Hygiene Practices: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use. Change contaminated clothing before entering eating areas.
• Ventilation: Provide adequate ventilation. Use localized ventilation systems. Open windows during application to ensure natural ventilation.

First Aid Measures

• Inhalation: If inhaled, remove the victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. If breathing is irregular or stopped, administer artificial respiration. Consult a doctor immediately.
• Skin Contact: Immediately take off all contaminated clothing. After contact with skin, wash immediately with soap and plenty of water. Obtain medical attention if skin-related symptoms persist.
• Eye Contact: After contact with the eyes, rinse with water with the eyelids open for a sufficient length of time, then consult an ophthalmologist immediately. Protect the uninjured eye.
• Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; get medical attention showing the SDS and the hazard label.

Exposure Limits

It is critical to adhere to established exposure limits for components like Diphenylmethane-4,4'-di-isocyanate:

• PEL (USA): Ceiling limit value: 0.2 mg/m3, 0.02 ppm
• REL (USA): Long-term value: 0.05 mg/m3, 0.005 ppm; Ceiling limit value: 0.2* mg/m3, 0.02* ppm (*10-min)
• TLV (USA): Long-term value: 0.051 mg/m3, 0.005 ppm

By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with handling and applying spray foam, ensuring a safer working environment.

Respiratory protection must be used where exposure levels exceed workplace exposure limits. Refer to 29 CFR 1910.134 CSA Z94.4 for information on selection and use of appropriate respiratory protection equipment. Use adequate protective respiratory equipment. [2]

If exposure limits are listed and may be exceeded, use approved respiratory protective equipment and filter type appropriate for the listed ingredients. (NIOSH, CEN, etc.). Due to the presence of isocyanate, supplied air respirators must be worn whenever the product is applied in poorly ventilated areas unless local exhaust will maintain exposures below acceptable limits. A chemical cartridge respirator with organic vapor cartridge is required when local exhaust is unavailable or inadequate to control exposures below required limits. When supplied- air respirators are not available or use is not practical, an air-purifying respirator may be an acceptable alternative if the recommendations below are followed: [5]

Safety glasses with side shield protection. Safety glasses with side shields should be worn to prevent contact due to splashing. Under high vapor mist concentrations, tightly sealed goggles should be worn. A face shield should also be worn if there is potential exposure to splash or spray. [1]

Gloves should be worn to prevent skin contact and should be impermeable and resistant to the product. [1]

PEL (USA) Ceiling limit value: 0.2 mg/m3, 0.02 ppm REL (USA) Long-term value: 0.05 mg/m3, 0.005 ppm Ceiling limit value: 0.2* mg/m3, 0.02* ppm *10-min TLV (USA) Long-term value: 0.051 mg/m3, 0.005 ppm [5]

Use clothing that provides comprehensive protection to the skin, e.g. cotton, rubber, PVC or viton. [2]

If breathing is difficult, remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. [4]

IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy 8 to do. Continue rinsing. [4]

IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water. [4]

Take off contaminated clothing. [5]

Select and use eye/face protection to prevent contact based on the results of an exposure assessment. The following eye/face protection(s) are recommended: Full Face Shield Indirect Vented Goggles [3]

Select and use gloves and/or protective clothing approved to relevant local standards to prevent skin contact based on the results of an exposure assessment. [3]

If this product is used in a manner that presents a higher potential for exposure (eg. spraying, high splash potential etc.), then use of protective coveralls may be necessary. Select and use body protection to prevent contact based on the results of an exposure assessment. The following protective clothing material(s) are recommended: Apron - polymer laminate [3]

Half facepiece or full facepiece air-purifying respirator suitable for organic vapors and particulates [6]

Ensure good ventilation of the work station. Open windows during application to ensure natural ventilation. If the occupational exposure limit is exceeded: Wear appropriate mask. (e.g. gas filter type A1-P2 according to EN 14387) [7]

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