NIOSH Publication No. 2003-107: Reducing Roofers' Exposure to Asphalt Fumes	September 2003

This guide is for roofers and contractors who work with hot asphalt on roofs. The guide lists steps for reducing exposure to asphalt fumes. Contents Appendix A. Respirators Appendix B. OSHA Regulations that Apply to Roofing Disclaimer Ordering Information   Reducing Roofers’ Exposure to Asphalt Fumes   Acknowledgments   Introduction   What steps should contractors take before starting work?   1. Assign a competent person   2. Assure that workers have been properly educated   3. Plan the work site   What safe work practices should roofers use?   1. Manage the kettle   2. Safely apply hot asphalt to the roof   What personal protective equipment should roofers wear?   What personal hygiene practices should roofers follow?   More Information

Related Resources/Publications: NIOSH Topic Page - Asphalt Fumes   Asphalt Fume Exposures During the Application of Hot Asphalt to Roofs   Asphalt Fume Exposures During the Manufacture of Asphalt Roofing Products   Hazard Review: Health Effects of occupational Exposure to Asphalt   Engineering Control Guidelines for Hot Mix Asphalt Pavers This document is also available in PDF format. 2003-107.pdf 20 pages, 516kb

Reducing Roofers’ Exposure to Asphalt Fumes

Acknowledgments

This safety guide was prepared by a working group from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) with help from the following partners:

• United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers (UURWAW)
• The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
• The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)
• The Asphalt Institute (AI)

NIOSH working group members:

• Ralph Zumwalde
• Harry Watson
• Joann Wess
• Anne Hamilton
• Jerry Flesch
• Pauline Elliott

This guide may be used with the NIOSH technical document Asphalt Fume Exposures During the Application of Hot Asphalt to Roofs (DHHS [NIOSH] Pub. No. 2003-112) and the NRCA video Asphalt Fume Exposure: Keep it Down, prepared in cooperation with other asphalt industry partners listed above. To obtain a copy of the video, call the National Roofing Contractors Association at 847-299-9070, or e-mail them at nrca@nrca.net.

Introduction

This guide is for roofers and contractors who work with hot asphalt on roofs. The guide lists steps for reducing exposure to asphalt fumes.
Roofers exposed to asphalt fumes may experience the following health effects:

• headache
• eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation
• nausea
• fatigue
• drowsiness

These effects appear to be mild and transient.

According to some studies, roofers also have an increased risk of lung cancer. But researchers are not sure whether this risk is caused by exposure to asphalt fumes or to other hazards such as smoking, coal tar, or asbestos. In light of this possible health risk and the irritation effects associated with hot asphalt work, it makes sense to take steps to control exposures while government, industry, labor, and independent researchers continue to study these health concerns.

NIOSH is working together with industry and labor representatives to find methods that will significantly reduce asphalt fume exposures for roofers and contractors. Efforts are under way to identify new engineering controls and to test their effectiveness in reducing fume exposures at the kettle. To date, studies have shown that the use of fume-suppressing roofing asphalts can reduce fume exposure at the kettle. As these studies are completed, appropriate recommendations will be developed and disseminated.

What Steps Should Contractors Take Before Starting Work?

1. Assign a competent person to be responsible for safety and health on the job. This person, usually the superintendent or the foreman, will have knowledge about roofing hazards and the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate unsafe acts or unsafe conditions on the job.
   
   
2. Assure that workers have been properly educated about the hazards of applying hot asphalt and trained in the use of safe work practices as well as the use of the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to reduce exposures to asphalt fumes.
   
   
3. Plan each work site before work begins to reduce asphalt fume exposures for workers and building occupants.

• Consider using a tanker to supply asphalt to the kettle or directly to the rooftop.
• If kettles must be used, place them where the operator and workers will be least exposed to the fumes. Keep the kettle away from air intakes, doors, and windows.
• Consult with building owners about how to minimize concerns from occupants about asphalt fumes. Consider notifying occupants before the job begins. Discuss with building owners whether air intake systems should be turned off and whether all applicable building air intake vents should be closed or covered.
• Consider scheduling work during off hours for commercial buildings and during school or work hours for private residences.
• Consider using roofing equipment and accessories that have lids to reduce exposure to fumes.

What Safe Work Practices Should Roofers Use?

If tankers cannot be used, employ the following safe work practices when operating the kettle and applying hot asphalt to the roof:

1. Manage the kettle as follows to reduce exposures and prevent injuries:

Use the proper equipment.

• Whenever possible, select an insulated kettle that is the right size for the job. Make sure it has temperature controls and the right pumping capacity for its size.
• Make sure the kettle is in good operating condition. Report any defects to the foreman or superintendent.
• Insulate the pipeline that delivers hot asphalt to the roof.
• Use the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) (see page 9).

Follow safe procedures.

• Set the kettle on firm, level ground to avoid spilling or tipping.
• Place warning tape, traffic cones, or signs around the kettle to keep the public at a safe distance.
• Keep a fully charged ABC-type fire extinguisher near the kettle. Make sure all workers know how to use it.
• Reduce the number of times the lid is opened. Fill the kettle to capacity when reloading and check the temperature, stir, and skim at the same time.
• Pre-chop the asphalt into pieces that can be easily handled and melted.
• Consider using fume-suppressing asphalts.

Maintain asphalt temperature.

Take the following steps to maintain proper asphalt temperature and reduce exposure to asphalt fumes:

• Find the equiviscous temperature (EVT) and flash point of the asphalt on the keg package or bill of lading.
• To begin, set the kettle temperature at the EVT plus 50°F.
• Communicate with the rooftop crew as they periodically measure the asphalt temperature in the mop bucket at the application point.
• Adjust the kettle temperature to maintain proper temperature (the EVT plus or minus 25°F).
• ALWAYS keep the kettle temperature at least 25°F below the flash point to avoid fires and explosions!
• Read the temperature after skimming, stirring, loading, or transferring the asphalt.
• Use a hand-held or infrared thermometer to get an accurate reading of the temperature of the hot asphalt.
• Do not point the infrared thermometer gun at anyone’s face or eyes! This could result in damage to the eyes!

2. Safely apply hot asphalt to the roof. Use the following work practices:

• Keep lids closed on rooftop equipment and accessories used to transport and apply hot asphalt.
• Stay out of the fume cloud whenever possible.
• Consider using a fan to reduce exposures in certain work areas:
  
  
• Make sure the fan blows air away from workers.
• Keep all cords and fans out of the workers’ walking paths.
• Make sure that electrical connections for fans are grounded.
  
  
• If buckets are used, take the following precautions:
  
  
• Use buckets with half lids.
• Fill buckets only three-fourths full.
• Carry buckets on the down slope of the roof.
  
  
• Twist mops to unstick them from buckets—do not pull them.
• Twist buckets to unstick them from the roof.
• Minimize time spent on your knees working with hot asphalt, since exposures may be higher when you are closer to the fumes. Use long-handled tools whenever possible.

What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Should Roofers Wear?

Roofers should wear the following types of PPE to minimize the risk of burns and breathing asphalt fumes:

1. Hard hat (for kettlemen)
   
   
2. Goggles or safety glasses with side shields (use a full-faceshield for operating the kettle)
   
   
3. Respirators when necessary (see guide in Appendix A on selection and use of respirators)
   
   
4. Cotton shirt with long sleeves
   
   
5. Leather or heat-resistant gloves that fit tightly around the wrists
   
   
6. Long pants with no cuffs
   
   
7. Nonskid shoes or boots with 6-inch leather uppers

What Personal Hygiene Practices Should Roofers Follow?

Personal hygiene is important to protect workers from a variety of different chemical exposures that are common in roofing work. Employers should provide workers with clean water, soap or other safe cleaners. Workers should follow these personal hygiene practices:

• Wash hands before eating and before leaving the work site. Use soap or other safe cleaners—do not use gasoline or other chemicals.
• Eat lunch away from asphalt fumes. Sit where the wind will blow fumes away from you.
• Shower after work as soon as possible.
• Change work clothes before going home to keep asphalt and solvents out of your car and home.

More Information

For more information about possible health effects from exposure to asphalt and about the selection of appropriate respiratory protection, see the following publications:^*

NIOSH [1987]. NIOSH respirator decision logic. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-108.

NIOSH [1996]. NIOSH guide to the selection and use of particulate respirators certified under 42 CFR 84. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-101.

NIOSH [2000]. Health effects of occupational exposure to asphalt. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-110.

^*To receive free single copies of NIOSH publications, contact NIOSH as follows:

Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh
Fax: 513-533-8347
E-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov

Appendix A—Respirators

Respiratory protection may be needed if available engineering controls and work practices are ineffective in keeping asphalt fume exposures below the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 5 mg/m³ (measured as a 15-min ceiling) or applicable State or Federal standards. However, because respirator use can introduce significant new safety hazards in roofing work, respirator use should be the last resort for controlling exposures. If respirators are required at the work site, the employer or contractor must make sure that they are NIOSH-approved and that all applicable OSHA regulations that apply to respirator programs are followed. Important elements of these OSHA regulations are as follows:

• An evaluation of the worker’s ability to perform the work while wearing a respirator
• Regular training of workers
• Periodic environmental monitoring
• Respirator fit-testing, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and storage
• Periodic changing of cartridges and testing for service life

No NIOSH-approved respirator filter cartridge or canister exists specifically for asphalt fumes. But the respirators listed below will reduce exposures:

• Any half-facepiece, air-purifying respirator equipped with a combination R100 or P100 filter and an OV (organic vapor) cartridge
• Any powered, air-purifying respirator with hood, helmet, or loose-fitting facepiece equipped with a combination HEPA and OV cartridge
  Note: The appropriate respirator filter is R100, P100, or HEPA as listed under 42 CFR 84. The appropriate OV cartridge or canister should contain a charcoal sorbent. This type of protection can also be used during the tearing off of old roofs—when workers may be exposed to dust containing coal tar. Other types of respirators provide better protection and may be required under certain conditions, such as work in confined spaces. See NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic (DHHS [NIOSH] Publication No. 87-108).

Appendix B—OSHA

Regulations that Apply to Roofing

29 CFR 1926.20 General safety and health provisions
29 CFR 1926.21 Safety training and education
29 CFR 1926.23 First aid and medical attention
29 CFR 1926.25 Housekeeping
29 CFR 1926.27 Sanitation
29 CFR 1926.55 Exposure limits for chemicals, fumes, mists
29 CFR 1926.59 Hazard communication
29 CFR 1926.95 Personal protection equipment
29 CFR 1926.96 Foot protection
29 CFR 1926.100 Head protection
29 CFR 1926.101 Hearing protection
29 CFR 1926.102 Eye and face protection
29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory protection
29 CFR 1926.103 Respiratory protection
29 CFR 1926.104 Safety belts, lifelines and lanyards
29 CFR 1926.105 Safety nets
29 CFR 1926.150-155 Fire Protection and Prevention
29 CFR 1926.500-503 Fall protection
29 CFR 1926.1101 Asbestos
29 CFR 1926.1102 Coal tar pitch volatiles

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted.

Disclaimer

Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.

Ordering Information

To receive documents or more information about occupational safety and health topics, contact the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at

NIOSH—Publications Dissemination
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998

Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Fax: 513-533-8347
E-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov

or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-107

August 2003

Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998

Delivering on the Nation’s Promise:
Safety an health at work for all people
through research and prevention

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-107