To produce epoxy polymers, epoxy resins are mixed with a hardener, producing an inert thermoset material.
While the finished, cured epoxy does not pose any health risk and offers superior performance, including excellent adhesion, mechanical properties, corrosion, and chemical resistance. The uncured components should be handled professionally, following established safety procedures.
The components of epoxy systems may have hazardous properties and can become dangerous in contact with human skin. However, they are perfectly safe to handle, provided that basic precautions are taken.
Epoxy Europe has developed a series of documents to assist and inform epoxy users. These guidelines describe situations with a risk of contact with an epoxy system and offer straightforward advice for safely handling these products.
01
Poster: how to handle epoxy resins safely in 10 steps
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02
Safety brochure
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03
Toxicology brochure
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An in-depth document about aspects critical for handling epoxy systems, aimed at more expert audiences.
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This information is especially designed to support craftsmen, business managers, safety and education managers in selecting and providing suitable organisational, technical and personal safety tools and procedures. But they cannot replace the specific safety instructions given for each product, which must always be respected in its entirety. The common goal is to prevent incidents or health problems and support the continued safe use of epoxy systems in all applications.
Watch our animation to learn how to
handle epoxy resins safely
EPOXIES IN THE WORKPLACE
Some Safe Handling Initiatives in the EU
Epoxy resins are specially designed performance materials that must be handled with the necessary care, like every product used in high-performance applications. As much as a scalpel is indispensable for a successful surgery, handling it sensibly from the first use is highly important. User education and training right from the very start is thus key to the successful and safe handling of epoxy resins. Therefore, providing comprehensive information during training is desirable for jobs that may have to handle epoxy resins. This way, it is ensured that the applicant is aware of the correct handling procedures for epoxy resins and does stringently adhere to the necessary protection measures.
Sensitisation
Epoxies are not difficult to use. However, they still require some attention in the workplace. Repeated unprotected contact with skin can trigger a body reaction called “sensitisation”, which shows similar symptoms as an allergic reaction.
Sensitisation can only occur with uncured resins since cured systems are harmless due to the absence of reactive epoxy groups. To avoid this, wearing protective equipment at all times when working with reactive epoxy resins is crucial. Proper workplace hygiene is the best measure to prevent allergies[1].
Epoxy Europe has issued documents to help prvent skin sensitisation. To stay up to date on the measures work safely with epoxy resins, a safety training was developed, see the Safety App below. Epoxy Europe members are working with relevant authorities on this topic. Lead by the German Authorities, several tools were developed to assist producers, formulators and downstream users to work safely. See the details under Germany below.
The Epoxy Europe
Safety App
The Epoxy Europe Safety App is an online tutorial designed to provide expert information to epoxy users for working with epoxy resins safely.
Learn More
DENMARK
Denmark has mandatory training schemes for people working with epoxy resins since 1981. An analysis of patch test data from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group[1] showed that, despite such preventive measures, problems concerning sensitisation to epoxy remain. Efforts to ensure that all protective equipment is worn should continue.
[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224887234_Occupational_contact_dermatitis_in_painters
GERMANY
Germany is very active when it comes to initiatives aimed at preventing skin sensitisation of workers.
The German Mandatory Workers Insurance (DGUV*) and the University of Osnabrück developed training materials to support teachers, especially at professional schools, in this task. An epoxy working group, led by the BG Bau has been active since 2007. The goal is to reduce the number of cases of sensitisation in the workplace related to handling epoxy resins.
Other initiatives include successful and productive cooperation between all stakeholders (Insurance providers, German Social Accident Insurance Institutions (BG), industry, IVDK) and collaboration with neighbouring countries like Austria, Switzerland or the Netherlands.
A comprehensive summary, with links to plenty of resources, can be found on the website of the German BAUA: Epoxy resins.
To point out only a few results:
A calculator to compare the skin sensitising potential of individual epoxy resin systems was developed and can be found here.
Testing principles, including a logo, to test gloves for their suitability for epoxy resins can be found here.
Training materials for trainess on safe handling of epoxy resins can be found here.
*DGUV: Deutsche Gesetzliche UnfallVersicherung