ARLINGTON, Va. (July 13)—The Alliance for the Polyurethanes Industry has joined forces with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in six states to focus on reducing and preventing exposure of diisocyanates during the application of spray-on truck bed liners.
API has linked up with federal offices of OSHA in Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin and state offices in Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota to educate businesses in the truck bed liner industry on the necessary handling and care of spray applications. Liners are used to protect vehicles from wear and tear, API noted, but the actual spraying of the truck bed liner almost always requires use of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, which can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, lungs and skin.
"The alliance with OSHA will bring together industry experts to address important worker safety issues such as the proper use of personal protective equipment and respirators and proper maintenance of equipment and ventilation booths," API Executive Director Dick Mericle said.