Employees´ health and safety when working with diisocyanates

Shortcut: IPA-183-Diisocyanate

Duration: 2024 - 205

Motivation
The European Union has introduced a restriction on diisocyanates that includes mandatory training on the safe use of diisocyanates in order to further reduce diisocyanate-associated respiratory diseases.

Aim
To further improve preventive measures for employees who are exposed to diisocyanates at work. To verify the effectiveness of occupational health and safety measures that have been established by the EU for the safe use of diisocyanates.

Methods:
Prospective cohort study including an embedded cluster randomized intervention study. Employees are examined and monitored over a period of five years with regard to their exposure of diisocyanates and possible diisocyanate-associated respiratory diseases at work. The cohort study consists of a detailed on-site initial examination in the first year and a final medical examination in the last year of the study; a "reduced program" in terms of telephone interviews (questionnaire survey, without on-site medical examinations) is carried out in the interim years.