Formaldehyde

1. Formaldehyde

2. Regulation • Regulated areas 1a

3. Regulation • Signs and markings 1b

4. Regulation • Only authorized personnel may enter regulated areas • Action level • Permissible exposure limit 1c

5. Regulation • Short-term exposure limit • Engineering controls • Work practices 1d

6. Regulation - monitoring • Monitoring is dependent upon the following factors: 1e

7. 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

8. Regulation - monitoring • Changes in personnel, processes, controls • Company receives reports of signs/symptoms to toxic exposure levels 1g

9. 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

10. Regulation • Written plans must be developed and implemented if employee exposure is above the PEL 1i

11. Material Safety Data Sheets • Hazard communication program • Labeling system • Review 29 CFR 1910.1200 2a

12. Medical surveillance • Medical surveillance is required for employees exposed above the STEL • Exposure levels are determined without respirator use 3a

13. 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

14. Medical surveillance • Records are retained for the duration of employment plus 30 years 3c

15. 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

16. Medical surveillance • Medical examinations include: • a physical exam • laboratory examinations • any other necessary tests • counseling of employees 3e

17. Medical surveillance • Written physician opinions include: • physician’s opinion about employee’s medical condition • recommended limitations • statement of medical conditions 3f

18. Medical surveillance • Employees get copies of the written opinions within 15 working days 3g

19. Potential health hazards • Immediate effects • Ingestion • Inhalation • Skin contact • Eye contact 4a

20. Potential health hazards • Long-term effects • Carcinogen • Mutagenic • Toxic 4b

21. 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

22. Operations where formaldehyde is present • Know which operations use formaldehyde • Know how to limit exposure 6a

23. 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

24. Personal protective equipment • Respirators are required: • in operations where engineering controls and work practices do not prevent exposure below the PEL • in emergencies 7b

25. 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

26. Personal protective equipment • Storage of clothing • Splashproof eye goggles required for liquid formaldehyde • Prevent contact with irritating or sensitizing materials 7d

27. Personal protective equipment • Full body protection is required for areas with concentrations above 100 ppm 7e

28. Personal protective equipment • Storage areas for ventilating formaldehyde-contaminated clothing and equipment have signs that read: 7f

29. 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

30. 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

31. Spills, emergencies, clean-up procedures • Place formaldehyde-contaminated waste in sealed containers bearing a label warning • Comply with EPA rules regarding clean-up 8b

32. Spills, emergencies, clean-up procedures • Properly dispose of waste • Repair leaks quickly 8c

33. 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

34. Emergency procedures • Procedures to be followed in an emergency • Training specific to each group of employees • Access to emergency equipment 9a

35. Emergency procedures • Proper use of equipment • Employees must leave spill areas unless they have specific duties • Do not touch spilled material 9b

36. Emergency procedures • Use water spray to reduce vapors • Fire response procedures 9c

37. Emergency procedures • First aid measures • Ingestion • Inhalation • Skin contact • Eye contact • Locations of showers and eyewash facilities • Medical evaluations 9d

38. Training materials • Written training materials must be available to employees 10a