History of the HSPP

NAIMA's Health and Safety Partnership Program History of the HSPP HSPP Recommended Work Practices HSPP Communications Health & Safety Literature Research on Fiber Glass and Rock and Slag Wool Safety of Fiber Glass Insulation Safety of Rock and Slag Wool Insulation Play it Smart, Play it Safe - DVD (English/Spanish) This worker training tool is a 15-minute DVD designed to provide important information in a fun and entertaining way to contractors and workers who handle fiber glass, rock and slag wool (synthetic vitreous fiber) insulation products.

To facilitate the increased cooperation of industry in the regulatory process, OSHA developed a list of issues that it deemed in need of attention either because of the seriousness of the topic or the number of workers potentially exposed.

In particular, OSHA was interested in identifying issues to which it had not yet devoted significant regulatory attention and resources. The preparation of that priority list came to fruition in December 1995 when OSHA officially announced a list of 18 work-related issues, which it viewed as priorities for either rule making or voluntary intervention by the private sector.

Voluntary Standard Proposed For Certain Workplace Issues

OSHA recognized, however, that it lacked the resources to conduct formal rule making on all 18 substances, as any regulatory rule making consumes a tremendous amount of time and significantly reduces available monies. Therefore, OSHA agreed that 13 of those 18 substances should develop a voluntary standard without the burden of a formal rule making.

SVFs Identified as a Priority Workplace Issue Due to Large Workforce

Synthetic mineral fibers, or synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs), which include fiber glass, rock wool and slag wool, constituted one of the workplace issues identified by OSHA as a priority and one of the 13 that should develop a voluntary standard. The reason for listing SVFs as a priority stems from OSHA’s conclusion that currently over 225,000 workers are exposed to SVFs. Furthermore, OSHA notes that the projections indicate the total number of workers handling SVFs in the coming years will increase.

NAIMA Members Heed the Call

As an industry committed to worker protection and quality products, NAIMA and its member companies acted with dispatch after the December 1995 announcement of OSHA’s Priority List by informing the officials within OSHA that NAIMA sought an opportunity to address OSHA’s questions.

NAIMA Identifies Opportunities for Participating with OSHA

NAIMA determined that engaging OSHA in a dialogue with respect to the work place environment for employees handling SVFs would, among other advantages, permit the industry to educate OSHA about the existing worker programs. Another advantage of participating in a voluntary capacity with the government is the elimination of any potential stigma that might be attached to SVFs because the substance appeared on a federal government priority list. By addressing any reservations on the part of OSHA, NAIMA sought to achieve the deletion of SVFs from the Priority List.

NAIMA Develops Health and Safety Partnership Program

Pursuant to OSHA’s invitation, NAIMA developed a voluntary Health and Safety Partnership Program (HSPP) in cooperation with OSHA officials and staff, and the leadership of NIA and ICAA, and other organizations representing insulation contractors and other workers. OSHA formally adopted the Program in May 1999, and SVFs were officially removed from the Priority List. Read the letter from OSHA removing SVFs from the priority list.

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