Washington, DC - The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), in partnership with Research Foundation for Health and Environmental Effects (RFHEE, is offering new health and safety training on low-pressure spray polyurethane foam (SPF), available free on www.spraypolyurethane.org.
The training programme, available in English and Spanish, was supported by funding from the US 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," said CPI senior director Lee Salamone, in a statement.
Noting that more than 6000 individuals have taken part in the high-pressure SFP training, either online or in an instructor-led class, Salamone added that the PU industry is "strongly committed to the health and safety of workers and consumers."
The programme provides information for weatherisation 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 weatherisation 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 programme takes two to two and a half hours to complete. Those who successfully pass the test on the training material receive a "Recognition of Completion" form and wallet-sized card, 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," said Salamone.
The training covers proper handling and disposal of low-pressure SPF, engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), working in confined spaces, preventing slips and falls and avoiding temperature stress.
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