30 May 2024

Isocyanates (highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals) are widely used in the marine industry but have application in spray painting, foam, and polyurethane manufacture and in adhesives. The 'hardener' element of most two-pack paint contains isocyanates, including many 'water-based' two pack paints. 

The Health and Safety Executive considers that Isocyanates are one of the leading causes of occupational asthma in the UK.

Employers should be aware that they have an obligation that all employees who use or handle products that contain min. 0,1% of diisocyanates receive the appropriate training.

Isocyanate training material has been developed by ISOPA (the European trade association for producers of diisocyanates and polyols) and ALIPA (The European Isocyanates producers association). 

It is available on a central platform here. The online training can be taken at any time. There are several different application sectors and training courses that you can select depending on your use of diisocyanates. They have also produced a series of information posters on the safe use of products which can be found here.

The BCF (British Coatings federation) PaintSafe website has information on the safe use of isocyanates in the Industrial Section. This includes a link to a poster, which was produced with the HSE.