Contractor Checklist Safer Workplace Practices for Installing High-Pressure, Two-Component Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation Working Draft 01-22-2015

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Environmental Protection
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Contractor Checklist: Guide to Safer Workplace Practices
forTlnstalling High-Pressure, Two-Component Spray
Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation

Contractor Checklist:

Guide to Safer Workplace Practices for
Installing High-Pressure, Two-Component
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation

This checklist is aimed at helping spray polyurethane foam (SPF) professional contractors protect themselves, workers and
others. This checklist was prepared as a voluntary aid to protect against potential risks from SPF; it is not a regulatory
compliance tool. However, some of the best practices included in the checklist may be required under local, state or federal
worker protection or other regulations.

Name of Firm: Date:

Brief description of work, locations where SPF will be installed, and SPF insulation products to be used. Include
manufacturer, product names, system numbers, seasonal blends, and lot numbers:

Worker name(s) and job title(s) on site i.e., project manager, installers, and assistants:

Accreditation, training, and certification credentials:

To ensure that the SPF project manager, installers, and assistants discuss the following
health and safety, training, and hazard communication practices, check all that apply:

Ongoing Activities

~ Ensure that all workers have completed the appropriate training for health and safety, equipment, and
installation prior to beginning work on site and that they carry wallet-size cards to demonstrate that they have
passed testing and certification requirements. For example, SPF training is provided by the Spray Polyurethane
Foam Association (SPFA) Professional Certification Program, the Center for Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), Air
Barrier Association of America (ABAA), Building Performance Institute (BPI), and individual SPF producers.

~ Maintain onsite a binder of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), equipment operating manuals, contracts, technical
product sheets, emergency contacts, and best practices materials e.g., bulletins, fact sheets, or posters. Ensure
that workers are familiar with the information contained in them. A written hazard communication program
should be in place for the worksite and included in the binder.

~ Maintain an on-site copy of the contractor's written safety plan. Meet all OSHA, state, and local safety
requirements for installers and for other workers.

~ Retain records of equipment maintenance, settings used, material names, system numbers, seasonal
formulations, lot numbers, and product samples for quality assurance purposes.

~ Implement safe storage and handling practices for chemicals to prevent spills, leaks, and explosions.
Establish procedures to prevent and respond to spills. Have spill containment materials and equipment at
the job site. Keep and/or store at the site only the amount of chemicals needed for the job.

U.S. EPA Working Draft 01-22-2015. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/spray_polyurethane_foam.html

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£% J\ United States

Environmental Protection
^0 kl M % Agency

Contractor Checklist: Guide to Safer Workplace Practices

forTlnstalling High-Pressure, Two-Component Spray

Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation

~ Plan for collection and removal of debris and trash, and establish worksite cleaning practices.

~ Ensure that workers do not eat, drink, smoke, use other tobacco products, or chew gum in the work zone to
avoid ingestion of chemicals. Ensure that workers wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking.

Pre-Application

~ Conduct a pre-job assessment so that health and safety risks can be identified and managed. Special
consideration should be given to confined or restricted spaces and extremely hot or cold working conditions.

~ Review environmental conditions, (i.e., air and surface temperature, relative humidity, surface moisture,
and wind speed) to ensure that they are appropriate for SPF application. Adjustments to work environments
and/or project schedules may be needed.

~ Establish a safe work zone around the SPF application to isolate the work area; post warning signage,
including signs for proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and establish barriers. The size of the work
zone (e.g., safe distance from the point of spray application) will vary based on the size and layout of the
jobsite. Identify and provide PPE needed within the work zone and vicinity. Only protected workers should
be present during application, foam curing, and cleanup.

~ The contractor should provide a portable eyewash and consider providing a portable foot-pedal-style
hand-washing sink or disposable cleaning wipes if tap water is not accessible at the jobsite.

~ Implement depressurization and control of mechanical systems. Make sure HVAC systems are turned off,
or HVAC branches are isolated, if occupied spaces in larger commercial buildings require air conditioning
during SPF work.

~ Securely cover air handlers and vents with plastic sheeting to prevent migration of chemicals, vapors,
and/or dust.

~ Consider Combustion Appliance Zones. Determine whether temporary supplemental supply air may be
needed during SPF application.

~ Ensure that chemical drums, hoses, and other equipment are warmed up to the proper temperature
before use, as per manufacturer guidelines. Ensure that proper equipment settings (e.g., pressure,
temperature, proportioning) are used.

~ Perform a small test spray and check foam quality after five minutes. Make any necessary equipment
adjustments.

~ Use the client communication checklist as a guide to talk to the client about safety, health, and hazard
communication practices, including the need to vacate during application and safe re-occupancy times.

Application

~ Vacate other trade workers from the work zone during application, foam curing, trimming, and cleanup.
Exercise caution when determining a safe re-entry time for other workers.

~ Use equipment that is clean and well maintained, as per guidance from product suppliers and product
manuals. For additional information, refer to SPFA Equipment Guidelines AY-137:
http://www.sprayfoam.org/technical/spfa-technical-documents.

~ Use appropriate respiratory protection for indoor and outdoor applications.

~ Use chemically resistant (e.g., synthetic rubber) gloves, protective coveralls, eye protection, head
coverings, and foot protection.

~ Work with an assistant. Assistants are important in ensuring that site and equipment preparation,
ventilation, PPE maintenance, and application (movement of hoses) are carried out safely. For very small
jobs, the rig tender may also serve as the assistant.

~ Maintain line of sight or communication contact with workers in the spray zone.

U.S. EPA Working Draft 01-22-2015. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/spray_polyurethane_foam.html

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Contractor Checklist: Guide to Safer Workplace Practices
&ERA=" forTlnstalling High-Pressure, Two-Component Spray

Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation

~ Make sure workers wear appropriate PPE during any cutting and scraping of foam to avoid exposure to
product surfaces, dust, or particles that may contain isocyanates, amines, or other substances from product
that has not had time to fully cure.

~ Ensure that no "hot work" (i.e., welding or plumbing) involving a cutting torch is performed in area.

~ Follow manufacturer instructions and product specifications for foam application.

~ Apply foam in layers ("lifts") of the proper thickness in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Two
inches or less is a typical industry recommendation for lift thickness for medium-density, closed-cell SPF,
depending on product specifications and substrate temperature conditions. With a lift at i inches, the core
temperature may be 130 to 150 degrees F; if lifts are too thick, overheating may occur, which can degrade the
structure; char the foam; and result in scorching, igniting, off-gassing, and shrinkage.

~ Allow adequate cooling time before applying additional lifts, particularly for closed cell foam. Follow the
manufacturer's installation instructions regarding cooling time between passes. Some manufacturers
suggest 20 minutes between passes or (longer if applying multiple passes) to allow heat to dissipate.

~ Implement ventilation strategies to ventilate the spray zone uniformly, reduce exposures, and prevent
migration of chemical contaminants. Use exhaust fans to maintain negative pressure in the work zone
during spray-foam application.

~ Qualitatively verify the direction of airflow through doorways and other openings (e.g., using visual
smoke or a narrow strip of single-ply tissue paper). When using both supply and exhaust fans
(recommended practice for larger jobs), ensure that the exhaust fan capacity is at least 10 percent greater
than the supply fan.

• For more guidance on ventilation see: http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/ventilation-
guidance.html.

• Additional ventilation guidance can be found at the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry "Ventilation
Considerations for Spray Polyurethane Foam": http://polyurethane.americanchemistry.com/Spray-Foam-
Coalition/Guidance-on-Ventilation-During-lnstallation-of-lnterior-Applications-of-High-Pressure-SPF.pdf.

• Consult SPF product manufacturer's technical information for recommendations on ventilation and re-
occupancy.

~ Ensure that ventilation exhaust areas are clear of bystanders, workers, and objects (e.g., vehicles) that
could become contaminated by spray.

Post-Application

~ After completing application, continue running exhaust fans while the foam cures.

~ Remove masking and isolation provisions, and return HVAC system controls to normal operating settings.
Confirm that the air-sealing characteristics of SPF are not creating backdraft for combustion appliances.

~ Decontaminate surfaces that have come in contact with isocyanates or other SPF chemicals (e.g., remove
dust and trimmings). Clean equipment, tools, work surfaces, and reusable PPE. Store items that will be
cleaned off site in sealed containers. Colorimetric "swipes," which turn red on contact, are a good method
for detecting isocyanate surface contamination and can be used for housekeeping checks and training.

~ Perform post-cleanup inspection to ensure that the work area is clean. Properly contain waste on site and while
being transported off site.

~ Refer to product labels and SDSs for handling and disposing of generated waste foam. For
requirements regarding disposal of waste chemicals and other building debris, consult federal, state, and
local permits, licensing, and rules.

~ Determine safe re-entry times for workers (i.e., when protective clothing and equipment are no longer
needed). Air quality testing/monitoring for workers may also be used to determine safe re-entry times.

~ Regarding re-occupancy for residents and building occupants, clients should be restricted from the job
U.S. EPA Working Draft 01-22-2015. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/spray_polyurethane_foam.html

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site while the product is being installed, while the product is undergoing curing and until the building has
been adequately ventilated and thoroughly cleaned of dust and debris.

~	Some manufacturers recommend 24 hours after application for worker re-entry without the use of PRE
and for re-occupancy by residents and other building occupants, but the recommended time may vary.
Contact your manufacturer or supplier for specific guidance on ventilation time, re-entry time, and re-
occupancy time for your specific product and scenario. Get more information on ongoing research on re-
occupancy times, product emissions, and ventilation rates through ASTM International Subcommittee D 22.05
on Indoor Air Quality: http://www.astm.org/Standards/D7859.htm.

Quality Assurance

~	Verify and record: material temperatures, pressures, and ratios; ambient and substrate temperatures; and
pass thickness and minimum material thickness (specify intervals).

~	Perform and record: industry standard adhesion and density checks, and thermal shock and slit tests to
assure product dimension stability (specify intervals).

U.S. EPA Working Draft 01-22-2015. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/spf/spray_polyurethane_foam.html

oEPA

United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

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