OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.1048

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD29 CFR 1910.1048

• FOR TULANE LABORATORY OR FACILITY EMPLOYEES WHO
  WORK WITH OR AROUND FORMALDEHYDE
• April 2007

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OBJECTIVES

• To become familiar with the requirements of the
  OSHA Formaldehyde Standard and Tulanes 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

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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_docum
  ent?p_tableSTANDARDSp_id10075) protects
  workers exposed to formaldehyde gas, its
  solutions, and materials that release
  formaldehyde.

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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

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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.

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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//www.som.tulane
  .edu/oehs/msds.htm.
• Information on formaldehyde can also be found
  from other sources such as a chemical dictionary,
  the Merck Index, Chemical Abstracts, etc.

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INFORMATION

• A Supervisors Guide to the OSHA Formaldehyde
  Standard can be found on the OEHS website at
  http//www.som.tulane.edu/oehs/hchoman1.htm

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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.

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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.

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Symptoms of Exposure to Formaldehyde - Acute

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

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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.

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Symptoms of Exposure to Formaldehyde - Chronic

• Respiratory difficulty
• Eczema
• Sensitization
• Human Carcinogen (lung, nasal, possibly brain
  cancer and leukemia)
• Altering of genetic material

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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

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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

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Similarities of OSHA Formaldehyde Standard,
Laboratory Standard, and Hazard Communication
StandardThese three OSHA standards have
elements in common

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

• Monitoring
• Medical Surveillance
• Recordkeeping
• PELs
• Emergency Procedures

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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

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WRITTEN PLAN

• Tulanes written Formaldehyde Policy can be found
  in the OEHS Policies and Procedures Manual at
  http//www2.som.tulane.edu/oehs/safety/28formaldeh
  yde.pdf

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Protecting Yourself From Formaldehyde
ExposureThere are three main ways to protect
yourself from exposure to formaldehyde

• Engineering controls
• Safe work practices
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

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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

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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)

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Personal Protective Equipment For Use With
Formaldehyde

• Gloves
• Goggles
• Protective Clothing
• Face shields
• Respirators

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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TRAINING

• All training must be documented and the
  documentation form submitted to OEHS. A training
  form is available at http//www2.som.tulane.edu/oe
  hs/safety/04F-oehss03.pdf.
• 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.

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TRAINING TOPICSThese are the topics OSHA
requires for training on formaldehyde

• Contents of OSHA Formaldehyde Standard, Tulanes
  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

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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

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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

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MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

• Should be implemented under the following
  conditions
• Exposure above PELs
• Signs or symptoms experienced
• In an emergency
• To wear a respirator (annual evaluation)

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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, www.som.tulane.edu/oehs ),
  contact the OEHS Workers Compensation Specialist
  at [phone], and report to a medical care
  provider
• Contact OEHS for additional information and
  assistance in complying with OSHA requirements

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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

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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

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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

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SUMMARY

• The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard and Tulanes
  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

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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

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Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health
Safety (OEHS)Pam Fatland pfatlan_at_tulane.edu
Manager, Chemical Safety(504) 988-2800www.som.tu
lane.edu/oehsIf unable to proceed to quiz, type
the link below into your browserhttp//aurora.tcs
.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum29
Proceed to Quiz