This August, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) continues its dedication to safety by promoting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safe + Sound Week. This nationwide event is held every August to emphasize the importance of safety in the workplace by recognizing the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offering information and ideas on how to keep workers safe. We are thrilled to continue the tradition of highlighting the significance of workplace safety programs with OSHA during this event, as workplace health and safety is a year-round priority for ACC!
OHSA’s official Safe + Sound Week website has information, guidance, and resources on workplace safety for both employers and employees. Its website features state-by-state lists of Safe + Sound Week participants and workplace safety events, along with resources for developing a workplace health and safety program. Three core elements of a workplace health and safety program encouraged by OSHA are leadership from management, worker participation, and finding & fixing hazards.
If you would like to register your Safe + Sound Week event, you can visit OSHA’s website and Take the Pledge!
ACC’s Year-Round Commitment to Workplace Health and Safety
ACC is dedicated to promoting workplace health and safety all year round. OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our commitment to supporting a safe workplace for those in the polyurethanes value chain.
ACC’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) and the Diisocyanates (DII) and Aliphatic Diisocyanates (ADI) panels formed a voluntary alliance with OSHA aimed at providing members, occupational physicians, stakeholders, and others within the polyurethanes value chain with information, guidance, and access to training resources that promote the health and safety of workers. Originally signed in 2017 for a two-year commitment, we renewed the alliance in September 2020 for an additional five years.
Outside of the OSHA Alliance, ACC has developed numerous health and safety resources for the polyurethane value chain. These include:
- ACC Resources and Documents Libraries: ACC’s CPI, ADI, and DII groups all have substantial resource libraries with important information on product stewardship and health and safety. These materials include information on polyurethane safety, industrial hygiene, worker protection, waste disposal, transportation requirements, and regulatory compliance.
- Spraypolyurethane.org: Professional contractors, weatherization professionals, homeowners looking to hire a professional to install spray polyurethane foam (SPF) and do-it-yourselfers can find important safety guidelines for the application of SPF.
- SPF Health and Safety Training Program: ACC’s CPI offers a free, online SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training Program that covers hazard information on SPF ingredients, safety practices, handling and disposal, and work site safety controls. There are two versions of the program: U.S. and Canadian. The U.S. version is offered for both high- and low-pressure applications and available in both English and Spanish. The Canadian version is offered for high pressure applications and available in both English and French. SPF applicators, supervisors, contractors, and business owners working directly or indirectly with SPF are encouraged to take the training program.
- Safe Handling of MDI and TDI Video Series: ACC’s CPI developed two video series focused on the safe handling of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) and Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI). These series, updated in 2020, aim to teach employers and employees about the potential hazards associated with transporting MDI and TDI. In addition, they provide information on PPE, unloading procedures, proper disposal of waste, and practices to minimize potential risks.
- Automotive Refinishing Safety Video: Working with Diisocyanates: In 2019, the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) partnered with the ADI Panel to produce this easy to understand, three-minute instructional video for workers in the automotive refinishing industry to learn about working safely with these important products.
In addition to these resources, ACC members participate in Responsible Care®, the chemical industry’s world-class environmental, health, safety, and security performance initiative. Companies report their progress on a variety of process safety-related performance measures annually, which ACC makes publicly available on our website. Companies that participate in Responsible Care® have employee safety records nearly three times better than the U.S. business of chemistry and reduced recordable injury and illness rates by 20% since 2010.
During Safe + Sound Week and beyond, ACC remains dedicated to workplace health and safety. Safe + Sound Week provides companies with the necessary resources to build and enhance their workplace health and safety programs. Implementing these programs helps save lives and prevent injury and illness and helps create an overall more positive work experience.
Take the Pledge!
Take the Pledge and register your health and safety activities for OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week here!