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
• physicians opinion about employees 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-contami
  nated 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