Formaldehyde
Regulation • Regulated areas 1a
Regulation • Signs and markings 1b
Regulation • Only authorized personnel may enter regulated areas • Action level • Permissible exposure limit 1c
Regulation • Short-term exposure limit • Engineering controls • Work practices 1d
Regulation - monitoring • Monitoring is dependent upon the following factors: 1e
Regulation - monitoring • At or above the action level - monitor at least every six months • At or above the STEL - monitor at least once yearly 1f
Regulation - monitoring • Changes in personnel, processes, controls • Company receives reports of signs/symptoms to toxic exposure levels 1g
Regulation - monitoring • Monitoring of employees may be stopped under certain conditions • Employees must be notified in writing of monitoring results within 15 working days 1h
Regulation • Written plans must be developed and implemented if employee exposure is above the PEL 1i
Material Safety Data Sheets • Hazard communication program • Labeling system • Review 29 CFR 1910.1200 2a
Medical surveillance • Medical surveillance is required for employees exposed above the STEL • Exposure levels are determined without respirator use 3a
Medical surveillance • Examinations will be: • prior to assignments to areas where exposure may be above STEL • at least annually where exposure may be at or above the STEL • whenever an employee shows signs/symptoms of toxic levels of exposure 3b
Medical surveillance • Records are retained for the duration of employment plus 30 years 3c
Medical surveillance • Medical surveillance includes: • administration of medical disease questionnaire • determination if a medical examination is necessary • examinations for employees who are at increased risk for exposure to formaldehyde 3d
Medical surveillance • Medical examinations include: • a physical exam • laboratory examinations • any other necessary tests • counseling of employees 3e
Medical surveillance • Written physician opinions include: • physician’s opinion about employee’s medical condition • recommended limitations • statement of medical conditions 3f
Medical surveillance • Employees get copies of the written opinions within 15 working days 3g
Potential health hazards • Immediate effects • Ingestion • Inhalation • Skin contact • Eye contact 4a
Potential health hazards • Long-term effects • Carcinogen • Mutagenic • Toxic 4b
Report adverse signs and symptoms • Know how to report illnesses/injuries that are related to the job • Symptoms develop over time • Adverse effects may not be immediately noticeable 5a
Operations where formaldehyde is present • Know which operations use formaldehyde • Know how to limit exposure 6a
Personal protective equipment • Respirators are required: • during periods necessary to implement engineering and work practice controls • in operations where engineering controls and work practices are not feasible 7a
Personal protective equipment • Respirators are required: • in operations where engineering controls and work practices do not prevent exposure below the PEL • in emergencies 7b
Personal protective equipment • Impermeable clothing, gloves, goggles, face shields, and other protective gear may be required • Selection, use, limitations, inspection, cleaning, and disposal • Changing rooms 7c
Personal protective equipment • Storage of clothing • Splashproof eye goggles required for liquid formaldehyde • Prevent contact with irritating or sensitizing materials 7d
Personal protective equipment • Full body protection is required for areas with concentrations above 100 ppm 7e
Personal protective equipment • Storage areas for ventilating formaldehyde-contaminated clothing and equipment have signs that read: 7f
Personal protective equipment • Employees have a duty to wear respirators • Employees must have periodic respirator fit tests • Respirator use must follow the requirements of 1910.134 7g
Spills, emergencies, clean-up procedures • Operations involving formaldehyde must have a program in place to detect leaks and spills • Place leaking containers in well-ventilated areas 8a
Spills, emergencies, clean-up procedures • Place formaldehyde-contaminated waste in sealed containers bearing a label warning • Comply with EPA rules regarding clean-up 8b
Spills, emergencies, clean-up procedures • Properly dispose of waste • Repair leaks quickly 8c
Engineering and work practice controls • Primary methods of exposure control • Ventilation is the most widely applied engineering method for controlling the concentration of airborne substances 8d
Emergency procedures • Procedures to be followed in an emergency • Training specific to each group of employees • Access to emergency equipment 9a
Emergency procedures • Proper use of equipment • Employees must leave spill areas unless they have specific duties • Do not touch spilled material 9b
Emergency procedures • Use water spray to reduce vapors • Fire response procedures 9c
Emergency procedures • First aid measures • Ingestion • Inhalation • Skin contact • Eye contact • Locations of showers and eyewash facilities • Medical evaluations 9d
Training materials • Written training materials must be available to employees 10a
