Spray Foam Safety: Online Training Program with Certificate of Completion Announced by CPI

WASHINGTON, D.C., - January 26, 2011 - As spray polyurethane foam insulation and roofing grow in popularity among homeowners, builders and contractors, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) is pleased to announce a new online training program to help educate spray polyurethane foam (SPF) users on good safety practices.

The SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training program is an online program available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to train those using high pressure SPF on good safety practices. As part of its commitment to education and safety, CPI is offering this training free of charge.

“Home builders and owners are asking for spray foam insulation and roofing because of their many benefits, including improved energy efficiency. As the demand for spray foam products goes up, we want workers to protect themselves by using appropriate safety controls. That is why we have made this easy to use training program fully accessible and free online to anyone who uses spray polyurethane foam,” said Lee Salamone, CPI Senior Director.

The training, which is available at www.spraypolyurethane.org, takes about 1.5- 2 hours to complete. At the end of the training, users successfully passing a test on the training material receive a “Recognition of Completion” form and wallet-sized card, which are valid for two years.

The “Recognition of Completion” is useful for employers, contractors and customers to verify that a spray foam applicator has completed the program successfully. Through a simple search feature on the training website, you can search the ID number on a “Recognition of Completion” card to confirm a person’s training status.

“Although the training is intended primarily for workers in building and construction, this information may also be helpful to supervisors, contractors, or business owners who are working with SPF insulation and roofing directly or indirectly,” said Salamone. “We want everyone using SPF to have ready access to this training information. CPI and our members encourage all SPF users to follow the safety and personal protection measures outlined in the training program.”

 A workgroup comprised of industry experts, including representatives from CPI, SPF systems houses and the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), developed this training and testing program, which is targeted to professionals in the building and construction industries. The training is comprised of 12 units, including information on SPF ingredients, safe use, handling, and disposal of SPF, and safety control measures including engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

“This is one of the greatest steps taken by the industry to enhance the safety of SPF contractors,” said Kurt Riesenberg, executive director of SPFA. “This industry continues to grow in leaps and bounds. With contractor, adjacent trade and customer safety as a cornerstone of our operations, this training will be instrumental in supporting our continued growth. This program will support our other ongoing industry training programs.”

A Spanish language version of the SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training program will be made available soon, as well as in-person training sessions for spray foam users.

 To register for the online training, verify an applicator’s training status, or to learn more about the training program, visit the CPI SPF web site at www.spraypolyurethane.org.

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http://www.americanchemistry.com/polyurethane

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council promotes the sustainable growth of the polyurethanes industry by identifying and managing issues that could impact the industry, in cooperation with user groups. Its members include the nation’s leading producers and distributors of chemicals and equipment used to make polyurethane and manufacture polyurethane products. CPI provides a single, strong and credible voice to advocate on behalf of the interests of the U.S. polyurethanes industry. The business of polyurethanes is a $56.1 billion enterprise, supports about 220,000 jobs, and is a key element of the nation’s economy. 

http://www.americanchemistry.com

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $674 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation’s largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation’s critical infrastructure.