GW 3-1

SAFETY & STORAGE FOR FOAM

These instructions cover safety and storage of Gaco Western PolyFoam and Polyiso foam systems. All personnel handling liquid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam components should familiarize themselves with the dangers and health hazards associated with these chemicals. Work crews should undergo a complete physical examination prior to working with isocyanate, polyurethane, or polyisocyanurate components, followed with periodic checkups if they continue working with such products. Employees with the following conditions should not work with these materials:

• Chronic respiratory diseases.
• Asthma
• History or presence of allergic disease.
• Skin allergies, eczema.

1. SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND VENTILATION

1. Protective Equipment
   1. Positive pressure air-supplied respirator with full-face mask or hood. Air must be oil-free.
   2. Fabric coveralls
   3. Protective footwear or boots.
   4. Impervious gloves.
2. Indoor Spraying Precautions
   1. Isolate the environment of the area to be sprayed from the rest of the structure.
   2. Spray only in well-ventilated areas. During spray operations, adequate flow of fresh air into the spray area must be maintained. Air from the spray area must be exhausted to the outdoors in a manner that prevents return into the interior of the structure through windows, doors, intake vents or conduits.
   3. Short-term visitors to the spray area must wear goggles and dust/organic vapor cartridge type respirators, which constitute minimum protective apparatus. Cartridge type respirators are effective for only a short term, low level exposure and are not approved for use with diisocyanates.
   4. Keep spectators away from the spray area.
   5. Smoking in the same area during spray operations shall be strictly prohibited
3. Outdoor Spraying Precautions
   1. Rope off the area within 150 feet (46 meters) of the spray site.
   2. Seal off all ventilation intakes within the affected area.
   3. Erect windbreaks, when necessary, to confine the spray-mist to avoid damage to any surface near the work zone due to overspray or drift.
   4. Keep spectators away from the spray area.

2. TOXICITY AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

1. Skin Exposure:
   Contact with liquid isocyanate can cause reddening, swelling, and/or blistering of the exposed area if it is not removed promptly. If a person is subjected to a major splash or another type of massive exposure to liquid isocyanate (Component A), drench them immediately with water using a safety shower or hose-spray. All contaminated clothing, including shoes, should be removed and the isocyanate wiped from the skin with a clean, soft cloth. The affected area should then be cleansed with repeated soap and water washing and rinsing. If a rash or irritation develops, a physician should be consulted. Decontaminate clothing prior to reuse by soaking the garments in an 8% ammonia solution for one hour prior to laundering with hot water and detergent. Destroy all contaminated leather items including shoes, belts, watchbands, etc.
2. Eye Contact:
   Eyes should be immediately flushed with copious quantities of clean water for at least 15 minutes. Obtain medical attention immediately.
3. Inhalation:
   Adequate safety precautions must be followed even though respiratory discomfort may not be immediately apparent when using isocyanate (Component A). Inhalation of isocyanate vapors or mist can produce severe irritation. Excessive exposure will produce serious, possible irreversible pulmonary injury. Persons exhibiting symptoms of isocyanate exposure (severe coughing, tightness of chest, labored breathing) should be immediately removed from the contaminated area. If breathing has stopped, artificial respiration must be promptly applied. If breathing is labored and oxygen inhalation equipment is available, oxygen should be administered by trained personnel. Obtain medical attention immediately.

STORAGE

1. Component A should be kept away from caustic solutions, tertiary amines, and water, to prevent rapid polymerization and accompanying generation of heat and gasses. Dangerous pressures can develop in closed containers.
2. Protect all materials from moisture. Both components may contain volatile ingredients; therefore, keep the containers tightly sealed and store indoors between 64 ° – 86 °F (18°–30 °C). DO NOT STORE THE MATERIALS IN THE DIRECT SUNLIGHT. Open the containers carefully, allowing any built-up pressure to be relieved slowly and safely.

4. FIRE AND EXPLOSION PREVENTION

Nonflammable cleaning solvents should be used for cleanup. Solvent manufacturer's precautions must be observed. A sprinkler system, water spray, carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguisher may be used for extinguishing fires involving liquid components. Fire fighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
1. CAUTION: Exposed foam insulation in an interior area presents an unreasonable fire risk. In no instance should polyurethane foam be installed without a suitable fire-resistive thermal barrier.
2. CAUTION: Spray foam should never be applied in thickness greater than two inches (5 cm) in a single application, since the fast, exothermic reaction can cause sufficient heat buildup to scorch or ignite the foam.

5. SPILL CLEANUP

1. If a major isocyanate spill occurs, the area should be immediately evacuated and ventilated. Only cleanup personnel, properly equipped with respiratory and eye protection, should remain. Protective equipment for clean-up crews should include a positive pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus, equipped with full face piece, hood or helmet and impervious clothing, footwear and gloves. Leaking containers should be moved outdoors, and the isocyanate transferred to other clean, dry containers, which must then be tightly sealed.
2. Isocyanate spills should be covered with sawdust, vermiculite, fuller's earth, or other oil-absorbent material in quantities sufficient to absorb all of the liquid isocyanate. Shovel into an open-top container, transport outdoors and neutralize with a 3-8% ammonia solution by adding about 10 parts neutralizer per part of diisocyanate while stirring. Let this solution sit in an unsealed container for approximately 48 hours. Dispose of the fully neutralized material in full accordance with federal, state and local hazardous waste regulations.
3. Following removal of the neutralized isocyanate, the area should be washed down with an aqueous ammonia/detergent solution.

The above information is based on standard industrial practices and is meant to outline the hazards, but is not necessarily all-inclusive. Local conditions on specific jobs may indicate other precautions. Common sense and care in evaluating the possibility of hazards are essential. Nothing contained herein should supersede local laws, codes, ordinances or regulations, or the instructions of other manufacturers for the use of their products.

STANDARDS & REGULATIONS

The standards and regulations published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, where applicable, should be consulted for further detail and compliance. The following references provide additional safety information:

Code of Federal Regulations; CFR 42, Part 84

Code of Federal Regulations; CFR 29, Chapter XVII, Part 1910

Subpart G -- Occupational Health & Environmental Control

• Sec. 1910.93, Air Contaminants
• Sec. 1910.94, Ventilation

Subpart H -- Hazardous Materials

• Sec. 1910.106, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Sec. 1910.107, Spray Finishing using Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Subpart I -- Personal Protective Equipment

• Sec. 1910.133, Eye and Face Protection

Footnotes:

* Consult Gaco Western for listing of test equipment currently available.

+ By U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines.

++Air shall meet at least Grade D specification requirements for breathing air as described in Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification G-7-1-1966.