The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in partnership with Research Foundation for Health and Environmental Effects (RFHEE) has released a new low-pressure spray polyurethane foam (SPF) health and safety training, which is available in English and Spanish, was supported by grant funding from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“The new Low-Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training is the latest guidance from CPI on spray foam for professional applicators. It complements the high-pressure SPF training released in 2010. More than 6,000 individuals have accessed the high-pressure SFP training either online or in an instructor-led class. The polyurethanes industry is strongly committed to the health and safety of workers and consumers, and this new training program provides information to professional applicators on applying spray foam safely and appropriately,” said CPI Senior Director Lee Salamone.
The Low-Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training provides information for weatherization professionals, applicators or helpers who work with one-component SPF or two-component, low-pressure SPF kits for sealing and insulating. Low-pressure SPF kits and insulating foam sealant, also called “foam in a can,” are often used by weatherization and insulation professionals for their excellent heat resistance and air-sealing properties. CPI recommends that building and home owners consider a trained professional contractor to apply two-component, low-pressure SPF.
The program takes between two to two and a half hours to complete and is available for free to anyone. Those who successfully pass the test on the training material receive a “Recognition of Completion” form and wallet-sized card, which are valid for two years.
“Contractors can demonstrate to home and building owners that they have completed CPI’s health and safety training by showing them the Recognition of Completion. A customer can even verify that training is current on www.spraypolyurethane.org by using the ID number printed on the card,” said Salamone.
RFHEE, a non-profit organization established by ACC that supports projects to enhance the understanding, safe use and positive impact of chemistry to society and that preferentially seeks projects with joint sponsorship among industry, public agencies, academia and other foundations, was awarded the $48,000 grant through OSHA's Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. CPI executed the project in partnership with RFHEE. The $48,000 federal grant provided for 60 percent of the $80,000 budget for the new low-pressure training program. CPI provided the remaining forty percent, or $32,000.