Isocyanates exposure testing

Isocyanate exposure testing is one of the most important aspects of continuous worker’s health monitoring program. Isocyanate containing products are widely used in the industry and therefore many work processes have the potential to cause significant exposure employees. The primary routes of exposure are inhalation of isocyanates containing fumes, vapours and particles and direct skin exposure. Regular isocyanates exposure testing is an integral part of maintaining a safe environment for your employees and preventing sensitisation leading to development of occupational asthma.

Isocyanates are powerful irritants to the respiratory tract and mucus membranes around the eyes. Due to their widespread use isocyanates are considered leading causes of occupational asthma in the UK. Isocyanate related asthma typically develops after continuous exposure from several months to years. Once sensitised, extremely low respiratory levels of isocyanate can elicit asthmatic responses.

To fully evaluate employees’ exposure levels and effectiveness of existing engineering controls our technical assessor will carry out personal and static isocyanates exposure monitoring, skin exposure monitoring and glow break through assessment. We can also provide our clients with biological monitoring method for isocyanates exposure. Exposure to isocyanates can occur at all stages of the manufacturing process from initial surface application to final curing or cutting of materials.

Our isocyanates exposure monitoring program includes:

Sysco Environmental carried out an assessment on the sites ground floor site of a two-floor building in Crawley. The survey included Solder Fume monitoring for the operatives soldering in the Production and Development Areas. Further monitoring was also carried out in the Potting Room, where Epoxy Resin was being used. The survey was carried out to understand personal and background exposure to Colophony (Solder Fumes) and if working with the Epoxy Resin resulted in any harmful substances being released into the air.

As a part of their continuing commitment to comply with Health and Safety Legislation Bowman Ingredients Ltd requested Sysco Environmental Ltd to carry out an assessment of occupational exposure to hazardous substances at their premises in Bedford. This was completed in accordance with HSE document L5 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The survey involved personal and background long term exposure monitoring for Total Inhalable Dust and Respirable Dust across the production area. This assessment compared the results against the Work Exposure Limits and offered advise to the client on how exposure could be reduced in the workplace.

Sysco Environmental carried out an assessment of occupational exposure to hazardous substances at their premises in Leekbrook. This was completed in accordance with HSE document L5 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. This was to understand the exposure of operatives to Acetic Acid when unloading tankers into the storage vessels onsite. Monitoring was also carried out on operatives working around the vessels in a main production area who were involved in taking samples and performing regular checks.

This client is situated on an Industrial Estate in Northampton and specialises in the manufacture of small rubber and plastic components for automotive and oil industry. The main production building contained a number of rubber moulding machines and assembly areas. Some machines were automated, and others involved manual processes. Monitoring was carried out for Rubber Dust and Rubber Fume to identify if the machine operation was exposing employees working here to significant levels by comparing the results to the relevant Work Exposure Limits.

Sysco Environmental carried out an assessment at Haynes International Ltd for Total Inhalable Dust and Metals exposure. A number of different operatives were monitored within here as well as some machines using static sampling. The machines which were surveyed for included; Slitter Machines, Tumpf Sheet Maker, Water Jet, Guillotines, Deburring Machine. This was done so that the client could continue to comply with Health and Safety Legislation HSE document L5 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

This assessment involved monitoring for Isocyanates in an external location where a number of different processes were carried out to add the mix of Rubber Crumbs and Isocyanate Glue to Golf Bunkers. The survey was undertaken to understand the exposures that employees were working with and if any further controls needed to be put in place such as the use RPE. Biological Monitoring was also done as another test for Isocyantes following exposure to the Glue while repairing Bunkers.