Health and Safety Programs for Construction Work--Painter Training Evaluation Project
This three-year study compared the effect of training on knowledge and on-the-job health protective behaviors of construction painters in three states. Alaska has a mandatory certification program for painters. Oregon has a voluntary training program; and Washington has no specific training requirements for painters. Questionnaires were mailed to 3,000 painters in the three states. Painters in Alaska reported more knowledge of health hazards and safe work practices than did painters in Oregon and Washington. The project focused on characteristics of the Alaska training program that account for the apparent differences in safety behavior and knowledge between Alaskan painters and those from Washington and Oregon. Painter subjects were randomly assigned to an Alaska-type training course or a training course developed by their trade association. Painter knowledge and self-reported painting behaviors immediately and three months after the course were compared.
Isocyanate Study
The departmental laboratory and the Field Group engaged in research to evaluate isocyanate exposure assessment methods. Past studies have developed analytical methods and isocyanate aerosol generation systems, and tested respirator cartridge efficacy. Two sampling methods, filter and impinger, were used to collect paint aerosols of diisocyanate-containing paint. The paint was generated in an enclosed paint chamber with all samplers receiving a uniform aerosol deposition. It was determined that filters have a slightly higher collection efficiency than impingers for isocyanate monomer while impingers have a substantially higher collection efficiency for polymeric isocyanates.