Training and records

• Everyone assigned to work where exposure is at or above 0.1 ppm must be trained at the time of first assignment and when a new exposure is introduced, and at least once a year if exposure is at or above the action level or the STEL.
• Keep records of exposure measurements, training and medical surveillance. Exposure records and hazard assessments are kept for at least 30 years, and medical records for the length of employment plus 30 years.

Protection

• Regulated areas. Where airborne formaldehyde exceeds the TWA or the STEL, set up a regulated area, post danger signs at entrances and limit access to authorised persons.
• Controls. Ventilation is the main engineering control. Add respiratory protection when needed, and wear impervious gloves, lab coats or aprons and face and eye protection.
• Change rooms for people who must change into protective clothing.
• Eyewash station in the immediate work area, and in each room of a laboratory where formaldehyde is used.
• Quick drench shower that workers can reach at once, within about 10 seconds of the work area, not across a hall, in another laboratory or on another floor.
• A program to detect leaks and spills, including regular visual checks of containers and tanks.

Medical surveillance

Any employee exposed at or above the action level or the STEL must be in a medical surveillance program. A licensed health care professional gives or supervises the medical procedures. A health questionnaire is made available, and a professional decides from it whether an examination is needed.

A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.