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DOSH Formaldehyde Standard WAC 296-856. John Furman PhD, MSN, COHN-S DOSH Technical Services. Scope. Applies to all occupational exposures to formaldehyde (formaldehyde gas, its solutions and materials that release formaldehyde ) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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DOSH Formaldehyde StandardWAC 296-856
John Furman PhD, MSN, COHN-SDOSH Technical Services
Scope
Applies to all occupational exposures to formaldehyde (formaldehyde gas, its solutions and materials that release formaldehyde)
– Formalin – 10-37% formaldehyde in solution with methanol or water
Formaldehyde
Formalin Formic Acid Paraformaldhyde Formal Methyl Aldhyde Methylene Glycol
Exposure
Vapors - Formaldehyde is a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) that can be released as a vapor at room temperature.
Liquids – Is a skin/mucous membrane irritant and sensitizer
Common uses
Tissue preservatives and in embalming fluids in autopsy rooms and pathology labs.
Kidney dialysis units and central supply as a sterilant.
In operating rooms as a tissue preservative, and disinfectant.
Permissible Exposure Limits
TWA – 0.75ppm, as an 8-hour time-weighted average
STEL- 2.0ppm, any 15-minute period during the work shift
Action Level (AL) – 0.5ppm, as an 8-hour TWA– Exposure monitoring – Medical surveillance
Exposure Monitoring
Initial Monitoring– All employees who may be exposed at or above the
AL or STEL Periodic Monitoring
– Exposures at or above the Action Level, repeat monitoring every 6 months
Termination of Monitoring– If the result from two consecutive sampling periods
taken at least 7 days apart indicate exposure below the Action Level and the STEL
Exposure Monitoring
Provide written notification of exposure monitoring results to employees within 5 days of receipt.
Exposure monitoring is not necessary if you have documentation conclusively demonstrating that exposures will not exceed the AL or STEL.
Labeling
Label substances composed of greater than 0.1 percent formaldehyde and capable of releasing formaldehyde at concentrations greater than 0.1ppm to 0.5ppm.
Label templates can be found on the DOSH Chemical Hazard Communication web page.
Regulated Areas
Shall be established where airborne formaldehyde concentrations exceed the TWA and STEL
Post danger signs at entrances
Access limited to authorized persons
Engineering Controls
Institute engineering controls and work practices to maintain exposures below the TWA and STEL– Local exhaust Ventilation (BSCs)– General ventilation
Where necessary supplement engineering controls with respiratory protection
Work Practices
Keep solutions of formaldehyde closed when not in use
Perform tasks involving formaldehyde in well-ventilated areas
Do not autoclave or microwave formaldehyde solutions
Use substitute products whenever possible
Respiratory Protection
Where respirator use is required, a respiratory protection program conforming with WAC 296-842 will be instituted.
Use full-facepiece air-purifying respirators with cartridges or canisters approved for protection against formaldehyde.
Protective Equipment
Protect employees from contact with liquids containing 1 percent or more of formaldehyde.
Employers must ensure that employees wear PPE and respiratory protection.
Gloves
Breakthrough times and permeation data are available from most manufactures
Materials such as neoprene or nitrile are recommended
Latex is not resistant to most chemicals, including formaldehyde
Hygiene Change rooms - Provided for employees
required to change into protective clothing. Emergency showers - Provided where
employees may be splashed with solutions containing >10% formaldehyde
Emergency eye washes - Provided where employees eyes may be splashed with solutions containing >0.1% formaldehyde.
Housekeeping Preventative maintenance of equipment,
including surveys for leaks will be performed regularly.
Provisions for containing spills will be made.– WAC 296-824, Emergency Response applies
whenever an uncontrolled release of formaldehyde may occur.
Medical Surveillance
For employees – Initially and every 12 months for employees exposed
above the AL or STEL– Exposed during an emergency situation– Who develop signs and symptoms of exposure
Performed by or directly supervised by a licensed physician.
Medical Removal
The employer’s LHCP may implement job restrictions or removal
Pay, seniority and benefits are protected for 6 months
Employees may seek a second medical opinion.
Lab StandardWAC 296-828
Applies to laboratory use of hazardous chemicals
A written Chemical Hygiene Plan is required
WAC 296-856, applies to histology, pathology, and anatomy laboratories
Information and Training
Provide training to all exposed employees
Every 12 months and whenever a new hazard is introduced
Training content is listed in the Standard
Make MSDS available
Recordkeeping
Maintain records of:– All measurements taken to monitor employee
exposure.– Data used to determine that exposures will not
exceed the PELs– Medical surveillance information.– Respirator fit testing.
Recent Citations
WAC 296-824 – Emergency Response– Stores over 25 gallons of 10% formalin in 5, five
gallon cubes. – Employees were not trained on hazards and spill
clean up procedures– $700.00 penalty
.
Citations
WAC 296-856-200 – Training– Employees pour formalin or use prefilled formalin
containers for specimens obtained from surgery. Employees working in an area where a formalin spill could occur were not trained on the hazards of formalin exposure.
– $2,100.00 penalty
Citations WAC 296-828 – Lab Standard
– The employer did not inform and train laboratory employees about the presence of hazardous chemicals
– Pathology lab employees exposed to 10% formalin were not trained on the S/S of exposure, Appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, personal protective equipment
– $300.00 penalty
Citations WAC 296-856-200 – PPE
– The employer did not ensure eye protection and face shields were worn for protection from exposure to formaldehyde vapor and splash.
– You must also ensure that when face shields are worn, employees also wear chemical safety goggles
– $700.00 penalty
Citations
WAC 296-800-150 – Emergency Washing– The employer did not ensure that an emergency
eye wash was available where an employee's eyes could come into contact with corrosives, strong irritants, or toxic chemicals.
– Exposure to formalin and metricide– $1,200 penalty
Information
For more information contact Pam Edwards, IH4, 360-902-5436 or [email protected]
For on-site help with exposure monitoring, PPE selection, etc. contact your local DOSH Consultation office.