1. Risk Reduction - Foamed Bitumen Foaming Agent
AustStab Awards of Excellence 2014
Risk Reduction - Foamed Bitumen Foaming Agent
Stabilised Pavements of Australia Pty Ltd
Category 1 – Work Health and Safety
Sponsored by

2. Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation
Foaming agent must be added to enhance the bitumen foaming properties
Current foaming agent is dangerous good and hazardous substance
Hazard Identification
SPA identified that a substantial number of risks could be reduced in the workplace through substitution of existing foaming agent

3. Development of Alternate Foaming Agent
Identification of product standards
Existing material properties/composition
Handling and application
Laboratory trial program
Field trial program

4. Laboratory Results No Additive Current Interfoam
Bitumen Temperature (⁰C)
180
Water Added (% of Bitumen)
2.51
2.65
Expansion Ratio (ratio of maximum foamed volume to original volume) 8 10 14
Half-life (seconds)
10.7
15.7 60
Standards require a minimum expansion ratio of 10 and half-life of 20 seconds

5. RMS Port Macquarie Field Trial
Average Results for One Bitumen Run Using Interfoam
Bitumen Temperature (⁰C)
184
Water Added (% of Bitumen)
2.6
Expansion Ratio (ratio of maximum foamed volume to original volume)
11.2
Half-life (seconds)
19.6

6. Product Hazard Comparison
Current Product
Interfoam
Dangerous Good
Hazardous Good
Strong odour – inhalation of product will result in severe headaches and nausea
Minor odour – has not caused headaches or nausea from any SPA trials
35⁰C flashpoint
61⁰C flashpoint – less flammable product
Highly aquatic toxicity
Lower aquatic toxicity