osha formaldehyde standard 29 cfr 1910.1048

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD

29 CFR 1910.1048

FOR TULANE LABORATORY OR FACILITY EMPLOYEES WHO WORK WITH OR AROUND FORMALDEHYDE

May 2012

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

OBJECTIVES• To become familiar with the requirements of

the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard and Tulane’s written policies concerning formaldehyde

• To become familiar with sources of information concerning formaldehyde and how to protect oneself from exposure

• To become familiar with emergency procedures involving formaldehyde

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

WHAT IS FORMALDEHYDE?• Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent

odor.• Formalin describes aqueous solutions,

particularly those containing 37% to 50% formaldehyde and 6% to 15% alcohol stabilizer.

• The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard (see http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?

p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10075) protects workers exposed to formaldehyde gas, its solutions, and materials that release formaldehyde.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

FORMALDEHYDE USESFormaldehyde can be found in both laboratory and non-laboratory settings.

• Preserving and fixing tissues

• Biocide

• Fertilizer

• Plywood and particle board

• Embalming fluid

• Textiles

• Disinfectant

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

FORMALDEHYDE USESFormaldehyde can be found in both lab and non-laboratory settings.

• Exposure to new furniture or carpets, wood processing or sawing, and working with fertilizers in a garden can expose workers to levels of formaldehyde.

• Become aware of products that you use that may contain formaldehyde and know how to protect yourself from the hazards.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

INFORMATION• A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on

formaldehyde must be available in the area where formaldehyde is present. It contains information on how to protect yourself from the hazards and what steps to take in an emergency. MSDSs may be found on the OEHS website at http://tulane.edu/oehs/safety/materialsafetydatasheets.cfm.

• Information on formaldehyde can also be found from other sources such as a chemical dictionary, the Merck Index, Chemical Abstracts, etc.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

INFORMATION

• A Supervisor’s Guide to the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard can be found on the OEHS website at http://tulane.edu/oehs/safety/upload/OSHA-Formalin-Standard.pdf

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Symptoms of Exposure to Formaldehyde

• Formaldehyde is an irritant and may cause allergic symptoms at very low levels.

• Symptoms of formaldehyde exposure can be acute, especially eye, nose, and throat irritation. These health effects will occur in most individuals when formaldehyde levels reach 0.1 parts per million (ppm).

• Usually, removing an individual from the exposure will allow for recovery of these symptoms without any persistent effects.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Symptoms of Exposure to Formaldehyde

• Short term exposure can be fatal, however the odor threshold is low enough that irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes will occur before fatal levels can be achieved.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Symptoms of Exposure to Formaldehyde - Acute

• Eye, nose, throat irritation• Insomnia• Headaches, Dizziness• Depression, Memory loss• Fatigue• Nausea, Diarrhea• Chest Pain• Rashes• Asthma

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Symptoms of Exposure to Formaldehyde - Chronic

• Formaldehyde symptoms may also be chronic. A person can be exposed to formaldehyde day in and day out for many years before being diagnosed with cancer.

• The effects of exposure differ with different individuals.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Symptoms of Exposure to Formaldehyde - Chronic

• Respiratory difficulty• Eczema• Sensitization• Human Carcinogen (lung, nasal, possibly brain cancer and

leukemia)• Altering of genetic material

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVELS (PELs)

These are the levels OSHA has set to ensure worker safety:

• Time Weighted Average (TWA) – 0.75 ppm for an 8 hour work period

• Short Term Exposure Level (STEL) – 2 ppm over any 15 minute period

• Action Level – 0.5 ppm over an 8 hour work period

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVELS (PELs)

• In the event of an emergency where the PELs may be exceeded, the area should be evacuated and OEHS contacted immediately so that monitoring and procedures to reduce exposure can be implemented

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Similarities of OSHA Formaldehyde Standard,

Laboratory Standard, and Hazard Communication Standard

These three OSHA standards have elements in common:

• Written plan• Designated Areas• Labeling• Control Measures• MSDSs, Information• Training

• Monitoring• Medical Surveillance• Recordkeeping• PELs• Emergency

Procedures

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

OSHA Formaldehyde Standard, Laboratory Standard, and Hazard

Communication Standard• The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard supercedes the

Lab Standard and the Hazard Communication Standard when using formaldehyde

• See OEHS PowerPoint presentations on the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and the OSHA Lab Standard/Chemical Safety for additional information

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

WRITTEN PLAN• Tulane’s written Formaldehyde Policy can be

found in Section28 of the OEHS Policies and Procedures Manual at the following link: http://tulane.edu/oehs/upload/PPMFullWebA.pdf

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

DESIGNATED AREAS• Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and must be used in a

designated area• All entrances to designated areas must be posted with

the following:

DANGER

FORMALDEHYDE

IRRITANT and POTENTIAL CANCER HAZARD

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

DESIGNATED AREAS

• Only persons trained in the hazards of formaldehyde who are familiar with how to protect themselves shall be allowed access to the designated areas

• All contract labor must be informed about access restrictions and the hazards present

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

LABELINGThe OSHA Formaldehyde Standard has specific labeling

requirements:

• Products releasing 0.1-0.5 ppm must state “CONTAINS FORMALDEHYDE”

• Products releasing >0.5 ppm must state “POTENTIAL CANCER HAZARD” and must contain information on respiratory sensitization

• Contaminated laundry must state “DANGER, FORMALDEHYDE CONTAMINATED CLOTHING, AVOID INHALATION AND SKIN CONTACT”

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

LABELING

• If possible, contaminated clothing should be placed into a fume hood to air out before being sent to be laundered

• Never bring contaminated laundry home for laundering

• Laboratory door labels as well as labels for clothing contaminated with formaldehyde are available from OEHS

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Protecting Yourself From Formaldehyde Exposure

There are three main ways to protect yourself from exposure to formaldehyde:

• Engineering controls

• Safe work practices

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Engineering Controls for Use with Formaldehyde

• Fume hoods• Local exhaust ventilation• Slot ventilation• Emergency Shower if greater than or

equal to 1% Formaldehyde• Emergency Eyewash if greater than or

equal to 0.1% Formaldehyde

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Safe Work Practices for Using Formaldehyde

• Schedule activities to minimize exposure

• Rotate employees so no employee is exposed for long periods of time

• Leave the work area after tasks are completed to allow formaldehyde to be exhausted from that area

• Avoid close contact (especially in breathing zone)

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Personal Protective Equipment For Use With Formaldehyde

• Gloves

• Goggles

• Protective Clothing

• Face shields

• Respirators

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Personal Protective Equipment For Use With Formaldehyde

• PPE should be selected based on the form of formaldehyde, the conditions of use, and the degree of hazard.

• Clothing and gloves used should be impervious to formaldehyde.

• Goggles and face shields should be used for solutions containing 1% or more of formaldehyde.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Respirator Protection for Formaldehyde

• Required during the interval necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work practice controls

• Required where engineering and work practice controls are not feasible

• Required where feasible engineering and work practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce exposures below PELs

• Required in emergencies

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Respirator Protection for Formaldehyde

• Fit testing, training, and a medical evaluation are required in order to wear a respirator for formaldehyde

• Depending on exposure, OSHA is very specific concerning the type of respirator to use and how often cartridges or canisters must be replaced

• Contact OEHS for more details

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

TRAINING

• Initial training must be provided upon assignment to a job with potential for formaldehyde exposure

• Annual training is required if exposure is greater than or equal to 0.1 ppm

• Training is also required whenever new conditions or hazards are introduced

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

TRAINING

• All training must be documented and the documentation form submitted to OEHS. A training form is available at http://tulane.edu/oehs/training/trainingdocumentationold.cfm.

• The online quiz for this Powerpoint training presentation goes directly to OEHS and will serve as your training documentation for the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard.

• Remember that annual training is required on this topic.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

TRAINING TOPICSThese are the topics OSHA requires for training on formaldehyde:

• Contents of OSHA Formaldehyde Standard, Tulane’s Plan, and the MSDS

• Medical Surveillance Program, signs and symptoms of exposure, reporting injuries, and follow-up procedures

• Control measures (work practices, engineering controls, PPE)

• Emergency procedures, spills

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

EXPOSURE MONITORING• If you use formaldehyde and feel monitoring may

be needed, contact OEHS• Monitoring will depend on whether signs or

symptoms are experienced, if procedures can cause spills or splashes, the ventilation available, the quantity and concentration of formaldehyde used, the length of time exposed, etc.

• Contact OEHS & complete a survey anytime there is a change in production, equipment, process, personnel, or control measures related to formaldehyde exposure

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

EXPOSURE MONITORING• The survey form is evaluated by OEHS staff to

determine if exposure monitoring may be needed• If there is little chance of exposure at or above the

PELs under foreseeable conditions, monitoring is not required

• Periodic monitoring will be conducted in accordance with the standard if monitoring results are at or above the PELs

• If monitoring results are above the PELs, a plan must be implemented to reduce exposures

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCEShould be implemented under the

following conditions:

• Exposure above PELs

• Signs or symptoms experienced

• In an emergency

• To wear a respirator (annual evaluation)

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE• If medical surveillance is needed due to

formaldehyde exposure, please fill out a First Report of Injury or Illness Form (available on the OEHS website, http://tulane.edu/oehs/upload/18F-oehss04.pdf), contact the OEHS Worker’s Compensation Specialist at (504)988-2869, and report to a medical care provider.

• Contact OEHS for additional information and assistance in complying with OSHA requirements.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCEThe OSHA Formaldehyde Standard is very specific regarding medical surveillance requirements. Contact OEHS for more details if needed.

• Medical Disease Questionnaire

• Medical Exam

• Info to the Physician

• Written Opinion of Physician

• Medical Removal or Reassignment

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

RECORDKEEPINGThese are the recordkeeping requirements of the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard:

• Exposure Records – keep 30 years

• Medical Records – keep for employment + 30 years

• Fit Testing Records – keep at least annually if respirator required

• Training Records – keep annually

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency where PELS may be exceeded:

• Evacuate the area

• Contact OEHS immediately so monitoring and procedures to reduce exposure may be implemented

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

SUMMARY• The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard and

Tulane’s Policy on Formaldehyde have specific components in place to protect employees from health hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde

• Formaldehyde is an irritant and potential human carcinogen, yet it has many favorable uses

• OSHA has set permissible exposure limits (PELS) for formaldehyde to ensure worker safety

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

SUMMARY• In the event that overexposure to

formaldehyde is suspected, evacuate the area and contact OEHS immediately

• Annual training is required when working with formaldehyde

Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Pam Fatland pfatlan@tulane.edu Manager, Chemical Safety

(504) 988-2800 http://tulane.edu/oehs

If unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browserhttps://audubon.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=120

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