Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn to reduce employees’ exposure to hazards. It can include headgear, eyewear, gloves, footwear, protective clothing, and respiratory equipment. The following resources provide information on regulations and guidance pertaining to PPE and resources for obtaining PPE. Not all of the information is specific to HDI, HMDI or IPDI. Always consult the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for guidance on specific PPE.
Protective Equipment
Erin Dickison
Federal Regulations
Federal regulations and standards for the protection of workers, including PPE standards, are promulgated by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
- OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart I)
- OSHA Standards Interpretation and Compliance Letters: Selection of air purifying respirators for gases and vapors with poor warning properties (diisocyanates)
Visit the Isocyanates page on the OSHA website for additional information and resources.
Federal Guidance on PPE
Some of the guidance on providing PPE developed by federal agencies such as OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) includes the following:
- OSHA Informational Booklet: Personal Protective Equipment
- OSHA Respiratory Protection Advisor
- NIOSH Respiratory Protection – Self Inspection Checklist
- NIOSH Online Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
- NIOSH Online Pocket Guide HDI Listing
- NIOSH Online Pocket Guide HMDI Listing
- NIOSH Online Pocket Guide IPDI Listing
- NIOSH Protective Clothing and Ensembles
Information on Equipment Sources
NIOSH provides useful information about respirators, including a list of manufacturers that produce NIOSH-approved respirators. These manufacturers produce other types of PPE, such as protective clothing and protective gear for the head, eyes, ears, hands, and feet. In addition, they may produce PPE other than respirators, which are not included on the NIOSH list.
The American Chemistry Council and the Aliphatic Diisocyanates Panel do not endorse any specific manufacturers, companies or products. If you have questions about PPE for a specific application, consult with the supplier or manufacturer of that product.