In this episode Mark Reggers is joined by guest Terry Gorman, 3M’s Occupational Hygienist for the Personal Safety Division in Australia and New Zealand to discuss isocyanates.

Isocyanates are a group of highly reactive hazardous chemicals used to manufacture polyurethane foams, rubbers, plastics, varnishes, adhesives and paints. Isocyanates have been related to a number of adverse health effects, where isocyanates are used it is essential that a worker’s exposure is appropriately controlled.

Guest Bio:

Terry Gorman (pictured left) is a Certified Occupational Hygienist who has been involved in workplace safety for nearly 30 years. He has worked for 3M Australia and New Zealand in the Personal Safety Division for 18 years.

Terry is a current member of the Australian/New Zealand Standard Committees responsible for respiratory protection (AS/NZS 1715 & 1716) as well as the Eye/Face Protection Standards Committee (AS/NZS 1337 & 1338).

He currently represents Standards Australia on the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Committee TC94/SC15, a team of international specialists creating a set of global respiratory standards.

LinkedIn Profile

 

In this episode, Mark & Terry discuss the following:

• What are isocyanates?
• What types of jobs or workplaces have potential exposures to isocyanates?
• What are the health effects from isocyanates?
• How would a workplace go about finding out what their worker’s exposure levels are to isocyanates?
• What would be the controls a workplace could consider to control the risks associated with isocyanates?
• When it comes to respiratory hazards, what type of respiratory equipment is suitable/recommended for isocyanates spraying and rolling operations.

Isocyanates include compounds classified as potential human carcinogens, the harmful effects follow exposure through inhalation of free isocyanate groups via vapour, mists and particles and through eye and skin contact with liquid or vapour isocyanate. Depending on the levels and types of exposure, the adverse health effects could be immediate or may present chronic, long term effects such as respiratory, kidney or liver dysfunction. Tune in as we take a closer look at isocyanates and the required control measures and respiratory equipment required to ensure worker safety.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Transcript
• SafeWork Australia – Guide to handling isocyanates
• WorkSafe Victoria – Safely Spraying Isocyanates paints
• 3M Centre for Respiratory Protection

Contact a 3M Safety Specialist at scienceofsafetyanz@mmm.com for more information.