FORMALDEHYDE TRAINING

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FORMALDEHYDE TRAINING
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CONTENTS

• Review of the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard
• Potential Health Effects
• Medical Surveillance
• Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Safe Work Practices for Specific Operations
• Spill Procedures
• Appendix A Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Appendix B Air Monitoring Results

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.0148)

• SCOPE
• Applies to all occupational exposures to
  formaldehyde (i.e. formaldehyde gas, its
  solutions and materials that release formaldehyde)

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Permissible Exposure Limits
• TWA - 0.75ppm, as an 8-hour time-weighted average
• STEL - 2.0pppm, any 15-minute period during the
  work shift
• Action Level - 0.5 ppm, as an 8-hour TWA

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Exposure Monitoring
• Initial Monitoring
• All employees who may be exposed at or above the
  Action Level or STEL
• Periodic Monitoring
• Exposures to at or above the action level, repeat
  monitoring every 6 months
• Exposures at or above the STEL, repeat monitoring
  at least once a year during worst case conditions
• Termination of Monitoring
• if the result from two consecutive sampling
  periods taken at least 7 days apart indicate
  employee exposure below the action level and the
  STEL

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Regulated Areas
• Shall be established where airborne formaldehyde
  concentrations exceed the TWA and STEL
• Post danger signs at entrances and access ways
• Access limited to authorized persons

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Control Methods
• Institute engineering controls and work practices
  to maintain exposures below the TWA and STEL
• Where necessary supplement controls with
  respiratory protection

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE (29 CFR 1910.1048

• Respiratory Protection
• Where respirators are required, they will be
  provided at no cost to the employee, will be used
  properly, and will reduce formaldehyde exposures
  to levels at or below the TWA and STEL.
• Whenever respirator use is required, a
  respiratory protection program conforming with
  OSHA regulations will be instituted.

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Protective Equipment and Clothing
• Contact of the skin and eyes with liquids
  containing 1 percent of more formaldehyde will be
  prevented by the use of protective clothing made
  of material impervious to formaldehyde and using
  protective equipment such as goggles and face
  shields, as appropriate to the operation.

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Hygiene Protection
• Change rooms will be provided for employees
  required to change from work clothing into
  protective clothing to prevent skin contact
• Emergency showers will be located in areas where
  employees skin may be splashed with solutions
  containing 10 or greater formaldehyde
• Emergency eye washes will be located in areas
  where employees eyes may be splashed with
  solutions containing 0.1 or greater formaldehyde

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Housekeeping
• Preventative maintenance of equipment, including
  surveys for leaks will be performed regularly
• In areas where spillage may occur, provisions
  will be made to contain spills, decontaminate the
  work area and dispose of the waste
• Employees repairing equipment leaks and cleaning
  up spills will be properly trained and will wear
  suitable protective equipment
• Formaldehyde contaminated waste and debris will
  be placed in sealed containers bearing
  formaldehyde hazard warning labels

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048

• Medical Surveillance
• Institute medical surveillance programs for all
  employees exposed to formaldehyde at
  concentrations at or exceeding the Action Level
  or exceeding the STEL
• Medical disease questionnaires
• Medical examinations
• All medical procedures will be performed by or
  directly supervised by a licensed physician.

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OSHA Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Hazard Communication
• Formaldehyde gas, all mixtures or solutions
  composed of greater then 0.1 percent
  formaldehyde, and materials capable of releasing
  formaldehyde into the air at concentrations
  reaching or exceeding 0.1 ppm shall be considered
  a health hazard.
• Employer shall comply with requirements of 29 CFR
  1910.1200 (Hazard Communication)
• Inform employees of specific health hazards
  (e.g.. cancer, irritation, sensitization of skin
  and respiratory system, eye and throat
  irritation, acute toxicity)

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Hazard Communication (Cont'd)
• Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS (provided by
  manufacturer)
• Labels on all containers where formaldehyde
  constitutes a health hazard. Labels identify the
  chemical, list name and address of responsible
  party, contain the information Potential Cancer
  Hazard, and appropriately warn of other hazards

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Employee Information and Training
• All employees assigned to workplaces where there
  is a health hazard from formaldehyde shall
  participate in a training program.
• Training will be provided at the time of the
  employees initial assignment and whenever a new
  hazard from formaldehyde is introduced into the
  work area.
• Information and training will be provided at
  least annually for employees exposed to
  formaldehyde concentrations at or above the
  action level or STEL.

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• Employee Information and Training (Cont'd)
• Affected employees will be informed of the
  location of written training materials and at
  their request, will be provided with this
  materials at no cost.
• Information and training will be provided at
  least annually for employees exposed to
  formaldehyde concentration at or above the action
  level or STEL.
• Affected employees will be informed of the
  location of written training materials and at
  their request, will be provided with this
  materials at no cost.

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• The employer will establish and maintain an
  accurate record of the following
• All measurements taken to monitor employee
  exposure to formaldehyde.
• If no exposure monitoring is performed, the data
  used to determine that monitoring is not
  required.
• Medical surveillance information
• Respirator fit testing information

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OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1048)

• RECORDKEEPING
• Exposure records and determinations at least 30
  years
• Medical records the duration of employment plus
  30 years
• Respiratory fit test records until replaced by
  more recent a record

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECT - INHALATION

• Air Concentration (ppm)
• 0 - 0.5
• 0.05 - 1.50
• 0.05 - 2.0
• 0.10 - 5.0

• Reported Health Effects
• None
• Odor threshold
• Eye sensation/irritation
• Irritation of the nose and throat
• Difficulty in breathing, burning sensation in the
  nose and throat, and coughing

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECT - INHALATION

• Air Concentration (ppm)
• 25 - 50
• 50 - 100
• 100

• Reported Health Effects
• Tissue damage and serious respiratory tract
  injury such as pneumonitis. Associated symptoms
  may include sneezing, wheezing, chest
  constriction, bronchitis, headache excessive
  thirst, weakness, palpitations, nausea and
  vomiting
• Pulmonary edema/inflammation - severe lower
  airway effects
• Death.

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS - INHALATION

• Chronic Exposure
• Repeated or prolonged exposure may cause
  headache, rhinitis, nausea, drowsiness,
  respiratory impairment, kidney injury and
  pulmonary sensitization.
• Neuropsychological effects may include sleep
  disorders, irritability, altered sense of
  balance, memory deficits loss, of concentration,
  and mood alterations.
• Menstrual disorders and secondary sterility have
  occurred in women.

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS - INHALATION

• Carcinogenic Effects
• Long-term exposure to formaldehyde is reported to
  be associated with an increased risk of cancer of
  the nose and accessory sinuses and nasopharyngeal
  and oropharyngeal cancer in humans.

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS - INGESTION

• Acute Exposure
• Ingestion of formaldehyde solutions may cause
  burning of the mouth, throat and stomach,
  difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting and
  diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, headache,
  hypertension, vertigo, stupor, convulsions,
  unconsciousness and coma. May also cause damage
  to the liver, heart, brain, spleen, pancreas,
  kidney, and central nervous system. Mean fatal
  dose in humans is 1-2 ounces of a 37 solution.
• Chronic Exposure
• Repeated ingestion of small amounts of
  formaldehyde may cause gastrointestinal
  irritation, vomiting, and dizziness.

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS - SKIN CONTACT

• Acute Exposure
• Vapors or solutions may cause smarting, white
  discoloration, roughness, hardness anesthesia,
  and first degree burns. In previously exposed
  individuals subsequent exposures may result in a
  sensitization dermatitis characterized by the
  sudden eruption of blisters on the eyelids, face,
  neck, scrotum and arms.
• Chronic Exposure
• Prolonged or repeated exposures may cause second
  degree burns, numbness, and itching rash,
  fingernail damage, hardening of tanning of the
  skin and sensitization. The dermatitis results
  from chronic exposure to formaldehyde may be
  either a sudden blistering reaction, or may be
  delayed several years with eruptions starting on
  the digital areas, wrists and other parts of the
  body

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS - Eye Contact

• Acute Exposures
• Airborne concentrations from 0.05 - 3.0 ppm may
  cause irritation with redness, itching, pain,
  blurred vision, and mild tearing. Concentrations
  from 4 - 20 ppm may cause profuse tearing and
  damage to the eye. Aqueous solutions effects
  range from transient, minor injury and discomfort
  to severe, permanent corneal pacification and
  loss of sight.
• Chronic Exposure
• Effects depend on the concentration and duration
  of exposure.
• Reporting Symptoms
• Employees will immediately report to their
  manager, other supervisory personnel, or site
  medical personnel, the development of any adverse
  signs or symptoms suspected of being related to
  formaldehyde exposure.

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MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

• General
• The employer shall institute medical surveillance
  programs for all employees who
• are exposed to formaldehyde concentrations at or
  above the Action Level or above the STEL
• develop signs and symptoms of overexposure to
  formaldehyde (see MSDS)
• are exposed to formaldehyde in an emergency
• All medical procedures will be performed by or
  under the supervision of a licensed physician and
  will be provided without cost to the employee,
  without loss of pay, and at a reasonable time and
  place.

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MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

• Medical Surveillance
• Administration of a medical disease questionnaire
  and an evaluation of the questionnaire by a
  physician to determine whether a medical
  examination is necessary (employees not wearing
  respirators) will be made available to employees
• prior to assignment to a job where formaldehyde
  exposure is at or above the action level or above
  the STEL and annually thereafter
• promptly upon determining that an employee is
  experiencing signs and symptoms indicative of
  possible overexposure to formaldehyde

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MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

• Medical Examinations
• Medical examinations will be given to any
  employee when
• based on the information provided on the medical
  questionnaire, the physician feels the employee
  may be at increased risk from exposure to
  formaldehyde
• the employee is required to a wear respirator to
  reduce exposure to formaldehyde (see Respiratory
  protection Policy)
• Medical examinations will be made available as
  soon as possible to employees exposed to
  formaldehyde in an emergency

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MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

• Physicians Written Opinion
• For any examination required by the standard, the
  employer will obtain a written opinion from the
  examining physician discussing only those
  findings relating to occupational exposures to
  formaldehyde
• The written opinion will include
• physicians opinion as to whether the employee
  has a medical condition that would increase the
  risk of material impairment of health with
  exposure to formaldehyde
• recommendations on limiting employees exposure
  or changes inure of personal protective equipment
• a statement that the employee has been informed
  by the physician of any medical conditions that
  would be aggravated by exposure to formaldehyde
  and whether there is need for further examination
  or treatment

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MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

• Physicians Written Opinion (Cont'd)
• The employer will retain the results of the
  medical examination and tests conducted by the
  physician in records
• The employer will provide a copy of the
  physicians written opinion to the affected
  employee within 15 days of its receipt

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

• Purpose
• To provide employees with a means of protecting
  themselves against unnecessary exposures to
  formaldehyde
• Skin Contact Protective gloves, sleeves, aprons
• Eye Contact Safety glasses/goggles, face
  shields
• Inhalation Local exhaust ventilation (LEV),
  respirators

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

• Proper Use
• Personal protective clothing and equipment can
  only be effective if it is used properly.
• Select the appropriate type of clothing or
  equipment (e.g. gloves, respirators, LEV)
  according to Hazard Assessment performed by
  supervisor for PPE.
• Properly maintain and store personal protective
  equipment after use.
• Replace defective or damaged personal protective
  equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, or
  respirator components. Mechanical equipment such
  as LEV can be effectively repaired.

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

• Limitations
• Personal protective equipment appropriate for use
  with one substance may be totally inappropriate
  for use with another substance (e.g. respirators,
  gloves). Inappropriate use of personal
  protective equipment may result in unnecessary
  exposures or injury
• Know the expected service life of personal
  protective equipment and replace it as necessary.
• For respirator cartridges utilizing adsorption as
  the filtration mechanism, when all available
  collection sites have been filled, break
  through occurs and contaminants will pass
  through the cartridge.
• Likewise, gloves will provide protection for only
  specific periods of time before the contaminant
  permeates through the glove material and
  breakthrough occurs.