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Welcome to the Truck Bed Liner (TBL) Health and Safety section of the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI). This section is intended to help the owners and employees of truck bed lining businesses learn about important worker safety and health information and the most recent developments in the truck bed liner industry related to these issues.

Truck bed lining products have protected vehicles from wear and tear over many years through the application of polyurethane, polyurea or polyurea hybrid systems. Polyurethane and polyurea products protect the truck bed, but it is also important to know that the actual spray application of these products requires specific handling and care.

Working Safely With Isocyanate-based Spray-On Truck Bed Linings

Description: This video provides general guidance for professionals on how to apply high-pressure spray-on lining systems. It is intended as a supplement to other job safety information already available such as specialized training, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), product label information and other materials.

For more information about safe handling for polyurethane truck bed liners, download this National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) poster with a helpful checklist that can be reviewed before using high-pressure spray-on lining systems.

How Is Polyurethane Used in Truck Bed Liners?

Under controlled conditions, such as in a spray enclosure with proper ventilation and environmental controls, the two components of a polyurethane or polyurea system are drawn from their individual storage drums or tanks into spray processing equipment. The two individual components of the system, the diisocyanate and the polyol, are metered by the processing equipment and fed to a hand-held spray gun. The reactive components meet, mix and are applied by the trained and properly protected applicator.

The applicator spray-applies the polyurethane/polyurea directly to the surface of the truck bed, much like paint or a coating is applied. After application, the liner cures (dries) to the touch within minutes and is fully cured within hours.

The polyurethane/polyurea liner protects the surface of the truck bed against scratches and scrapes, as well as the corrosion that can result over time due to this damage.

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Health

Contact with excessive amounts of polymeric MDI can be harmful to your health. When MDI is sprayed, you could be overexposed by:

  • Breathing high airborne concentrations of MDI
  • Getting MDI on your skin or in your eyes
  • Swallowing MDI

Inhalation

If MDI is inhaled, it can cause irritation to the nose and lungs. If inhaled over a period of time, a person may feel tightness in the chest and have difficulty breathing. Continued over exposure may cause the body to become sensitized or allergic to MDI, which means even very low levels of MDI can cause serious health effects, including asthma attacks. Immediate medical attention is needed if this occurs. Refer to the manufacturer’s MSDS for more information.

Skin or Eye Contact

MDI should not come in direct contact with the skin or the eyes. Repeated contact with the skin may cause discoloration, redness, swelling or blistering, which could lead to skin sensitization. If MDI comes in contact with the skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and flowing water, and seek immediate medical attention.

Getting MDI in the eyes can be painful and could cause tearing and irritation. If this occurs, immediately wash out the eyes with a continuous flow of low pressure water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention.

Refer to the manufacturer’s MSDS for more information.

Swallowing MDI

If MDI is swallowed, vomiting should not be induced. Instead, the mouth should be washed out with water, and the person affected should rest and seek immediate medical attention. Refer to the manufacturer’s MSDS for more information.

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