CMT President, John C. Becker IV, at OSHA Regional Managers Meeting

About Spray On Truck Bed Liner Suppliers' Issues

Palmer, MA (March 12, 2007) Creative Material Technologies, Ltd. (CMT) President, John C. Becker IV, had the rapt attention of over 30 Administrators and assistant Administrators at the OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) Regional Managers Meeting in Newport, RI on March 1^st. 

Becker's 90-minute presentation surrounding the spray-on bed liner industry brought such an avalanche of questions and discussion that the presentation was allowed to extend to two full hours. Becker had been invited by OSHA to speak on CMT's approach to providing safer chemistry and innovative application equipment to the bed liner industry, currently fraught with health and safety issues.

CrystaLiner®, the "Original Clear Bed Liner"®, caught the attention of OSHA due to the product being 100% aliphatic and 100% solids, with no solvents or VOC's and containing zero MDI in its formulation. In addition, CMT's Voyager Spray Pump was a focus as it affords the installer with an innovative and safer method of applying high performance coatings.

Three of OSHA's ten Regions have had ongoing Regional Emphasis Programs, regarding MDI exposure, in the spray on bed liner market.  It is expected that these Regional Emphasis Programs will be replaced with a National Emphasis Program aimed at reducing the MDI exposure health hazards that have been inherent in the spray-on bedliner industry. 

Health hazards in spray-on bedliner applications include exposure to various solvents and a group of contaminants known as isocyanates. The most commonly used isocyanate is MDI, which has been linked to severe respiratory and health problems. 

Right now, OSHA's goal is twofold:

1. To assist businesses those are having difficulty meeting existing safety standards

2. To enforce existing exposure limitations, thereby reducing employee exposures to these health and safety hazards 

"An unfortunate truth is that the spray-on bed liner industry has not been very proactive in addressing the regulatory issues," Becker stated, and in answering the question as to why installers may not be voluntarily complying, Becker listed numerous problems:

• the lack of education and information on the products

• spray on truck bed liner suppliers telling their installers that the chemistry is "just the way it is" and not pursuing safer chemistry options that may be available

• perceived inconsistencies in enforcement approaches

• a feeling of fear in believing that OSHA is the enemy when the real risk is their own material 

"Installers face an even more difficult road to safety and reorganization," Becker went on to say. "Currently, there is no industry recognized certification or formal training program. In some cases installers have bought into the suppliers short term profit promise, thereby valuing dollars over quality and safety."

In addition to CrystaLiner, CMT offers a wide variety of spray on applications designed specifically to address the unique requirements of the homeowner, professional installer, and OEM customer. Formulations include roofs, foundations, decks, pond and pools, garage, commercial and industrial floors, foam, and an application specifically for detailers and mobile technicians. All formulations require no spray booth. CMT provides training and low cost spray equipment through Voyager Spray Systems for all applications. Dealer Inquiries about the spray in bed liner business welcome www.clearbedliner.com