HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 690 HS - Isocyanate Control Procedure
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PROCEDURE PR.690.HS
TITLE: ISOCYANATE CONTROL
Date issued: 08 January 2019
Last revised:
Authorization: Senior Staff: 08 January 2019
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To provide a procedure for ensuring that OCDSB staff, students, and visitors are not exposed
to harmful concentrations of isocyanates.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
In this procedure,
2.1 Isocyanates refers to a family of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals, which
are widely used in the manufacture of flexible and rigid foams, fibers, coatings such as
paints and varnishes, and elastomers, and are increasingly used in the automobile
industry, autobody repair, and building insulation materials. Exposure to isocyanates
has been shown to cause serious respiratory issues, including asthma. It is a
designated chemical substance under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
2.2 Project Manager is any OCDSB personnel who arranges and coordinates work done
by one or more contractors.
2.3 Supervisor means any person who is responsible for the work of another employee,
including, but not limited to, those holding the positions of supervisory officer, principal,
vice-principal, manager and supervisor.
2.4 Worker means any of the following:
a) A person who performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation;
b) A secondary school student who performs work or supplies services for no monetary
compensation under a work experience program authorized by the school board that
operates the school in which the student is enrolled;
c) A person who performs work or supplies services for no monetary compensation
under a program approved by a college or applied arts and technology, university or
other post-secondary institution;
d) Such other persons as may be prescribed who perform work or supply services to
the OCDSB for no monetary compensation.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Supervisors will:
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a) provide information and guidance to other workers who may be affected when
OCDSB employees or contractors will be using isocyanates in their workplace;
b) ensure that any worker using products containing isocyanates is trained in
accordance with section 4 of this procedure;
c) ensure that a written assessment of each task involving the use of isocyanate -
containing products is conducted in consultation with the OH&S Division and the
Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC); and
d) maintain the records required in section 4 of this procedure;
3.2 Facilities Department will:
a) ensure that written safe work instructions are created for work done by Facilities
staff that may expose them to isocyanates;
b) forward assessments to the OH&S Division; and
c) ensure that principals/building managers are given a copy of completed
isocyanate assessment worksheets for work being done at their worksites;
d) make reasonable efforts to look for alternatives to isocyanate-containing
materials, wherever practical.
3.3 Project Managers will:
a) ensure that contractors perform work that involves the use of isocyanates in
accordance with Ontario Regulation 490/09; and
b) notify the principal/building manager of any work being performed by a contractor
that may involve the use of isocyanates.
3.4 Occupational Health and Safety Division will:
a) maintain this procedure;
b) provide copies of completed assessments to the JHSC for consultation;
c) ensure this procedure is reviewed by the JHSC at least every three years; and
d) Conduct a formal audit of compliance with this procedure at least every three
years.
3.5 Workers will:
a) Perform their work in a safe manner, in accordance with the training and safe work
procedures provided to them.
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4.0 PROCEDURES
4.1 Alternatives to isocyanate-containing materials must be used wherever practical to
reduce the potential for exposure.
4.2 Before any work is done by OCDSB workers using a product containing isocyanates, an
assessment must be conducted following the steps set out below:
4.2.1 Steps of assessing isocyanate containing materials:
a) consult the product safety data sheet or other information sources to
determine whether the material contains isocyanates;
b) conduct a written assessment using the Isocyanate Assessment
Worksheet (Appendix A);
c) forward a copy of the completed assessment to the OH&S Division;
d) the JHSC will review the assessment and provide recommendations;
e) maintain a copy of the assessment as long as the job, activity or product
continues in the workplace; and
f) update the assessment any time an isocyanate-containing product or the
conditions of its use change.
4.3 The completed assessment shall be given to the principal/building manager, who will
ensure that it is posted on the OH&S bulletin board at the site for the duration of the
work.
Control Program
4.4 Where the assessment indicates that a worker is likely to be exposed to isocyanates
and that the health of a worker may be affected by that exposure:
a) medical examinations of the worker must take place before any work with
isocyanates is permitted to proceed and periodically afterward in accordance with
Ontario Regulation 490/09 – Designated Substances;
b) the affected worker must receive training as outlined in section 5 of this
procedure; and
c) controls must be considered and implemented where practical, in t he following
order of priority:
i. engineering controls, such as ventilation;
ii. work practices, such as scheduling work to reduce exposure;
iii. hygiene facilities, such as sinks and facilities for changing clothes;
iv. personal protective equipment such as respirators may only be
considered where other controls are not practical or effective for
eliminating or reducing exposure to acceptable levels. Respiratory
protection must be used in compliance with OCDSB Procedure
PR.689.HS Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators.
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4.5 Written work instructions must be developed and implemented for the work identified in
the assessment. The written work instructions must include:
a) the requirements for air monitoring, where necessary, in accordance with Ontario
Regulation 490/09 – Designated Substances;
b) personal protective equipment requirements;
c) emergency procedures;
d) instructions for reporting accidental exposure (inhalation, skin, or eye contact);
and
e) hygiene procedures.
4.6 The supervisor responsible for the work will keep records including:
a) the worker’s name, job classification, Employee Identification Number (E.I.N.),
and birth date;
b) results of monitoring the worker’s exposure to airborne concentrations of
isocyanates;
c) the time-weighted average exposure of the worker to isocyanate s; and
d) the use of respiratory equipment by the worker and its type.
4.7 If there is a change in a workplace that could result in a significant difference in the
exposure of a worker to isocyanates, a further assessment must be conducted.
4.8 Results of any air monitoring must be:
a) posted on the site’s OH&S bulletin board for a minimum of 14 days;
b) shared with the JHSC; and
c) retained by the Occupational Health and Safety Division for at least 5 years.
Training
4.9 Principals and building managers shall receive training upon hire into the role, or as
soon as practicable thereafter, on the following:
a) the hazards of exposure to designated substances, including isocyanates;
b) types of products that may contain designated substances, including
isocyanates, at OCDSB sites;
c) the general requirements of this procedure; and
d) steps for reporting concerns.
4.10 Project managers shall receive training upon hire into the role, or as soon as practicable
thereafter in:
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a) the hazards of exposure to designated substances, including isocyanates;
b) types of products that may contain designated substances, including
isocyanates;
c) the general requirements of Ontario Regulation 490/09; and
d) procedures for controlling exposure to designated substances, including
isocyanates.
4.11 Supervisors of workers using products containing isocyanates shall receive training
upon hire into the role, or as soon as practicable thereafter in:
a) the hazards of exposure to isocyanates;
b) types of products that may contain isocyanates at OCDSB sites;
c) the general requirements of this procedure;
d) procedures for controlling exposure to isocyanates;
e) personal protective equipment (including respirators) requirements; and
f) steps for reporting concerns.
4.12 Workers using products containing isocyanates shall receive training in;
a) the hazards of exposure to isocyanates;
b) types of products that may contain isocyanates at OCDSB sites;
c) the general requirements of this procedure, including medical surveillance
requirements;
d) procedures for controlling exposure to isocyanates;
e) personal protective equipment (including respirators) requirements;
f) job-specific safe work instructions; and
g) steps for reporting concerns.
4.13 Training records indicating the nature of the training and the date shall be maintained
through the district’s training management system.
5.0 APPENDICES
Appendix A – Isocyanate Assessment Worksheet
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6.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act R.S.O. 1990 (as amended)
Ontario Regulation 490/09 – Designated Substances
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services – Workbook for Designated Substance Assessments
OCDSB Policy P.058.HS Occupational Health and Safety
OCDSB Procedure PR.689.HS Selection, Use, and Care of respirators
Appendix A – Isocyanate Assessment Worksheet
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Assessor(s): Date:
Job/Task:
Department/Divison:
Part One
Do any Safety Data Sheets indicate isocyanates as an ingredient?
Yes No (if no, then no further assessment is necessary)
Product Name Type of Container Size of Container
Is there a possibility of the substance being released into the workplace environment during
normal use?
Yes No
Indicate the potential route(s) of exposure:
Inhalation Skin absorption
Ingestion Skin contact
Is there a likelihood of spill due to leaks, accidents, etc.?
Yes No
Are there any activities/ situations where exposure by any route is likely?
Yes No (If NO, keep a copy on file – no further assessment is necessary)
If yes, is there a practical substitute that does not contain isocyanates?
Yes (If YES, no further assessment is necessary – use the alternate product) No
If NO was indicated, please proceed to Part Two
Appendix A – Isocyanate Assessment Worksheet
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Part Two
Process Step
Description of
Task -
Likelihood of
Exposure
Frequency of
Exposure
Total Number of
Workers
Exposed
Control Description Recommendations
Engineering:
Administrative:
PPE:
Other:
Engineering:
Administrative:
PPE:
Other:
Engineering:
Administrative:
PPE:
Other:
Appendix A – Isocyanate Assessment Worksheet
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Part Three
Notes
Is there a likelihood that a worker is likely to be exposed to a designated substance and
that the health of a worker may be affected by that exposure?
YES Contact the Occupational Health and Safety Division for assistance
NO