An EU regulation that came into force in August 2023 brought about a significant change in the workplace: all persons handling products containing diisocyanates now require specialised training. The aim is not to increase the administrative burden, but to prevent serious health problems that these chemical compounds can cause, even at low concentrations.
This is a policy shift that brings chemical safety up to the same level as, for example, the handling of machinery or electrical systems – an area in which knowledge and skills are not an added bonus, but an absolute prerequisite.
What are diisocyanates – and why is it important to know about them?
Diisocyanates are widely used chemical compounds that are particularly essential in the manufacture of polyurethanes. Polyurethanes are utilised in many industrial sectors: they are used, for example, to make foam plastics, adhesives, sealants, coatings and elastomers. Diisocyanates are found in products we use every day – in building insulation, car parts, floor coverings and even household furniture.
In these end products, the diisocyanates have generally reacted completely and are chemically bound, so there is no longer any exposure. The risk is therefore associated with their handling, storage and processing prior to final curing. It is precisely at this stage that the chemicals may be released into the air we breathe or come into contact with the skin – and this is precisely why training is so important.
Health risks: the invisible danger in the workplace
Diisocyanates are potent sensitisers, meaning they can cause allergic reactions even after brief exposure. The most common symptoms include a cough, wheezing, itchy skin or eye irritation. In the worst cases, exposure can lead to permanent conditions such as occupational asthma, which may develop unnoticed and persist for the rest of a person’s life.
A distinctive feature of exposure is its insidious nature: symptoms may appear with a delay or only become more pronounced following repeated exposure. Therefore, safety cannot be based solely on experience or caution – a structural understanding is needed of how and when exposure occurs, and how it can be prevented.
Education provides the skills that protect us
At the heart of diisocyanate training is the idea that every user should understand the properties, risks and control measures associated with the substance they are handling. The training covers the chemical’s structure, routes of exposure, the correct use of personal protective equipment, and the importance of ventilation and cleanliness in the workplace. Furthermore, the training prepares participants to act effectively in situations where, for example, a splash or spill could cause an acute hazard.
At the end of the training, participants’ competence is assessed by means of an examination; upon passing this, they receive an official certificate. This certificate serves as proof that the individual understands the basic principles of the safe handling of diisocyanates and is able to apply them in their day-to-day work.
Training as part of a broader approach to chemical safety
The training requirement for diisocyanates is not a single piece of legislation in isolation from others. It forms part of the EU’s broader effort to reduce work-related illnesses caused by chemical risks. This broader framework also includes other measures introduced through the REACH and CLP Regulations, which define the classification, labelling and restrictions on the use of chemicals.
The impact of training is not limited to individual employees. As skills and awareness increase, the safety culture of the entire workplace is strengthened. Employees begin to discuss risks more openly, identify problems at an earlier stage and address them more effectively. This is reflected not only in fewer incidents of exposure, but also in smoother day-to-day work.
Health, safety and sustainable careers
The safe handling of di-isocyanates is, above all, a health issue, but its implications extend far beyond that. When illnesses caused by chemicals can be prevented, there are significant savings in the costs of incapacity for work and medical treatment. At the same time, employees’ working lives are extended and their well-being at work improves – and this ultimately also reflects in companies’ productivity and enhanced competitiveness.
Training is therefore not merely a compulsory step before starting work. It is an important part of professional competence and a safe approach to work, which protects the individual and helps to build a more responsible working life.
Knowledge is the most effective form of protection
Di-isocyanates are not a new risk, but we now know how to handle them more effectively. Compulsory training is a step towards a more open, knowledge-based safety culture, in which hazards are identified and prevented before they have a chance to cause harm.
When an employee knows what they are handling and how to handle it safely, every working day becomes less risky – and much more predictable. In this case, knowledge is more than just preparedness – it is protection.
Diisocyanate training