Formaldehyde Safety Training

Name: Formaldehyde Safety Training
Uploaded: 2017-08-08T21:54:35+00:00
Duration: PTM28S50
Channel: Violet Hunt
Description: Formaldehyde Safety Training

Formaldehyde Safety Training
Center for Environmental Health and Safety SIUC SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety
Training Before working with formaldehyde, and before entering a regulated area, each employee and lab supervisor must complete formaldehyde training through CEHS. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Today’s Training Topics Include:
Introduction to OSHA Formaldehyde Standard Exposure Limits Exposure Monitoring Requirements Routes of Exposure and Health Effects Personal Protective Equipment Labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Exposure Controls Medical Surveillance Program Disposal, Spills and Emergencies Summary SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

What Is Formaldehyde? A colorless chemical with a pungent odor, which is a gas at standard temperature and pressure It is usually found as formalin, a methanol-stabilized water solution that contains 37%, 44%, or 50% formaldehyde. Other uses include resins, bactericide or fungicide, cosmetics, permanent press clothing, embalming fluid SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard
This standard, 29 CFR , was passed into law in 1992. It is intended to: Control employee exposure to formaldehyde, and Provide employees with the knowledge and understanding to work safely using formaldehyde It establishes three different levels of exposure: Permissible Exposure Limit Short Term Exposure Limit Action Level SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Employee Exposure Limits
Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL): 0.75 ppm This is an 8-hour Time Weighted Average, or 40 hour work week Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL): ppm This is the maximum concentration that workers may be exposed to for 15 minutes Action Level (AL): 0.5 ppm This is an 8-hour Time Weighted Average. If exposure exceeds any of these limits, changes must be made to reduce employee exposure. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Exposure Monitoring Requirements
Initial Monitoring To determine whether personal exposures may be at or above action level or STEL Periodic Monitoring Exposures at or above the action level, repeat monitoring at every 6 months Exposures at or above the STEL, repeat monitoring annually under the worst conditions Termination of monitoring If the results from two consecutive sampling periods taken at least 7 days apart indicate employee exposure below the action level and the STEL. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Best Case Exposure If the initial monitoring indicates that exposure is below the Action level (0.5 ppm), you have to: Keep the exposure monitoring results on file Keep the formaldehyde training records for each employee on file Remember: EVERY employee working in the area has to have training ANNUALLY! SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Medium Exposure If the initial monitoring indicates that exposure is above the Action Level of ppm, but it is below the Permissible Exposure Limit of 0.75 ppm and below the Short-Term Exposure Limit of 2.0 ppm for fifteen minutes: Periodic monitoring must be repeated every six months You have to keep all the exposure monitoring records, and You have to begin an employee medical surveillance program. Remember: EVERY employee working in the area has to have training ANNUALLY. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Worst Case Exposure If the initial monitoring results indicate the exposure is above the Permissible Exposure Limit (0.75 ppm) or above the Short-Term Exposure Limit (2.0 ppm): Periodic monitoring must be done annually (under the worst conditions) Begin an employee medical surveillance program Develop a written plan to reduce exposure Send a written notice to employees about the corrective actions being taken to reduce exposure Put a posting on every entrance and access way that reads…. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Worst Case Exposure (cont.)
DANGER FORMALDEHYDE IRRITANT AND POTENTIAL CANCER HAZARD AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

If Formaldehyde Exposure Cannot Be Reduced Below Acceptable Limits…
Full-face respirators must be provided to employees and the workplace must comply with the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR ). All employees must complete a medical questionnaire, and based on that questionnaire, the physician will determine whether or not the employee must undergo a physical examination. Exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, respiratory fit testing, and employee training must be repeated at least annually. Monitoring records must be kept for thirty years. Medical records must be kept for thirty years after employment ends. Respirator fit testing records must be kept until replaced by a more recent record. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Overview Introduction to OSHA Formaldehyde Standard Exposure Limits Exposure Monitoring Requirements Routes of exposure and health effects Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Exposure Controls Medical Surveillance Program Disposal, Spills and Emergencies Summary SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Signs And Symptoms Of Exposure
You may notice… Swelling of the eyelids Respiratory disorders such as coughing, shortness of breath Allergic reactions such as dermatitis Frequent headaches, dizziness and drowsiness Jaundice Bruising easily *report any of these signs and symptoms immediately to your supervisor* SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Health Hazards: Inhalation
ppm Irritation of eyes, nose and throat 3-5 ppm Tearing of eyes 10-20 ppm Causes difficulty breathing, burning of the nose and throat, coughing, and heavy tearing of eyes 25-30 ppm Severe respiratory tract injury leading to pulmonary edema and pneumonitis ppm Immediately dangerous to life and health. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Health Hazards: Ingestion
Severe irritation and inflammation of the mouth, throat and stomach Difficulty swallowing Stomach cramps and severe abdominal pain Unconsciousness Coma May cause damage to liver, heart, brain, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and central nervous system SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Health Hazard: Eye Contact
Irritation or burning of eyes Blurred vision Permanent corneal clouding Permanent loss of vision SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Health Hazards: Skin Contact
White discoloration Smarting Drying Cracking Scaling Numbness Hardening or tanning Dermatitis or hives for previously exposed persons SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Chronic Health Hazards: Cancer
In 2011, the National Toxicology Program declared that formaldehyde is a “known carcinogen” Repeated exposure increases the risk Associated with cancers of the lung, nasopharynx, and oropharynx, and nasal passages SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Chronic Health Hazards: Mutagenicity
Genotoxic Toxic agent that damages DNA molecule in genes causing mutations, tumors, etc. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Chronic Health Hazard: Toxicity
Respiratory Impairment Rats exposed to 2 ppm developed benign nasal tumors and changes of the cell structure in the nose as well as inflamed mucous membranes of the nose Humans have developed structural changes in epithelial cells of the nose Some may develop asthma or bronchitis Often due to accidental spill involving single dose of highly concentrated formaldehyde SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Report adverse signs and symptoms
Tell your supervisor immediately. Remember: symptoms develop over time, so adverse effects may not be immediately noticeable Odor and eye irritation will become less noticeable as you develop a tolerance to formaldehyde exposure. This can lead to overexposure, so report any signs and symptoms as soon as possible. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Overview Introduction to OSHA Formaldehyde Standard Exposure Limits Exposure Monitoring Requirements Routes of Exposure and Health Effects Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Exposure Controls Medical Surveillance Program Disposal, Spills and Emergencies Summary SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Gloves: Nitrile or neoprene are recommended Eye/face protection: Safety goggles Maximum protection = safety goggles with face shield Lab coat that is completely snapped or buttoned An impervious apron can be used over a lab coat Respiratory Protection: contact Center for Environmental Health and Safety (CEHS) Respiratory Protection Program required SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Personal Protective Equipment (cont.)
Storage of PPE Store away from sources of formaldehyde Formaldehyde vapors can permeate the lab coat or glove material, reducing its barrier-properties Inspect all PPE prior to use Check for holes, cracks, degradation Change gloves frequently Do not reuse disposable gloves SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Labeling: Primary Containers
Primary containers of formaldehyde that are received from the manufacturer must be labeled with: Chemical name: Formaldehyde Concentration, in ppm Three pictograms: Signal word: Danger! Hazard Statement: Toxic if swallowed. Toxic in contact with skin. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause respiratory irritation. Carcinogenic Precautionary Statements Name and address of manufacturer SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Labeling: Secondary Containers
They must contain the same label as the primary container, or a combination of required information with additional associated hazards. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Safety Data Sheets Written documents from the chemical manufacturer that communicate information about the hazards of a chemical. Include information such as: Properties of the chemical Physical, health and environmental health hazards Protective measures Safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical Information must be in English (other languages are available) and available in your workplace at all times SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Exposure Controls The use of equipment, processes, and work practices to eliminate or minimize exposure. Common controls include: Ventilation Hygiene Protection Work practice/administrative controls Housekeeping controls SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Ventilation Most widely used control method. Exhaust location is key Location at foot of embalming table and below tabletop Air intake on opposite side of wall 12-20 air exchanges Ventilation is the most widely used control method for reducing the concentration of airborne formaldehyde. The key factor in a ventilation system is the location of the exhaust. It should be a the foot of the embalming table and below the level of the tabletop. The air intake should ideally be high on the opposite wall. Thus, fresh air is being directed toward the embalmer, while chemical fumes (as well as odors from the body and mircrorganisms) are being drawn down and away from the breathing zone. The required number of air changes per hour will be determined by many factors: The contents of the room; how many embalmings are in progress at the same time; The shape of the room So, the rule of thumb for a signel table room, the number of air changes should be from 12 to 20 per hour. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Hygiene Protection Safety Showers and eye wash stations must be located in areas where employee’s skin or eyes may be splashed with solutions containing 1% or greater formaldehyde Safety showers are checked periodically by CEHS and Physical Plant. Eyewash stations must be flushed/purged weekly (at least) for a period long enough to verify adequate operation (approximately two minutes). This will help clean out any rust, scale deposits, or bacteria that may accumulate. A log should be maintained of weekly flushes. This log should indicate the date of flush, name of flusher, and comments/ “pass” or “fail”. This is the responsibility of the lab. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Work Practice Controls/Administrative Controls
Keep waste containers covered at all times Do not eat or drink where formaldehyde is handled, processed, or stored. Substitute formaldehyde for a less toxic chemical, like Formalternate or GlyoFixx Avoid extremely close contact with formaldehyde sources by keeping the breathing zone away from the path of vapors Breathing zone: within a ten inch radius of the worker’s nose and mouth. Wash your hands thoroughly after using formaldehyde, even if gloves were worn SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Disposal Procedures DO NOT DISPOSE OF FORMALDEHYDE WASTE DOWN THE DRAIN!!!!!! Collect all formaldehyde solutions in a container with a screw-type lid. Put a yellow “Hazardous Waste” label on it, then place it in the Chemical Waste Satellite Accumulation Area Complete an online Chemical Pickup Request form on CEHS website *Contact CEHS if you are using formaldehyde in such a way that collection in a container is difficult or impossible. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Housekeeping Controls
Cleaning and maintenance issues that prevent formaldehyde fume releases If a mop and bucket are used to clean spills of formaldehyde, add ammonia to the solution to neutralize the formaldehyde (CAUTION-DO NOT USE BLEACH or other chlorine containing agents in a mixture containing ammonia-this will produce dangerous gases) Conduct visual inspections of containers that store or hold formaldehyde for leaks and spills Keep embalming equipment in good repair to prevent leaks and spills Formaldehyde-containing waste must be disposed through CEHS SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Medical Surveillance Program
Required for all employees exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations that equal or exceed the action level (0.5 ppm) or STEL (2 ppm). Required whenever an employee shows signs/symptoms of toxic levels of exposure All medical procedures will be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician and will be provided without cost to the employee. 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 SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Spill Response Areas in which formaldehyde is used MUST be inspected for leaks or spills of formaldehyde on a regular basis. At a minimum these areas must contain a spill kit that includes: Sorbent material compatible with formaldehyde (ex: vermiculite) A Disposable plastic broom and dustpan Plastic bags or buckets to contain the clean-up debris Yellow “Hazardous Waste” labels SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Small spills (< 100 ml) Remove all ignition sources Put on gloves, lab coat, and safety goggles. If possible contain the spill by surrounding it with paper towels or sorbent material like vermiculite. Wipe up all formaldehyde solution with paper towels or sweep up with the wet sorbent Put the paper towels and sorbent in a plastic bag, tie it shut, and double-bag it. Place a yellow “Hazardous Waste” label on the bag. Write “Debris from a spill clean-up of formaldehyde” on the yellow label. Place the labeled bag in the Chemical Waste Satellite Accumulation Area Complete and online Chemical Pickup Request on the CEHS website. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Large spill ( > 100 ml) The exposure levels may be exceeded Evacuate the area Close the door, but don’t lock it Contact the Department of Public Safety at 911 (from SIU landline) or (from cell phone). Contact CEHS at and request assistance for a chemical spill. Operation hours of CEHS: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

First Aid: Ingestion If victim is conscious, give milk, activated charcoal, or water. Any organic material will inactivate formaldehyde Keep affected person warm and at rest Get medical attention immediately If vomiting occurs, keep head lower than hips SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

First Aid: Inhalation Immediately move victim to fresh air In high concentrations of formaldehyde, each rescuer MUST put on self- contained breathing apparatus before attempting to remove victim If the victims breathing has stopped: Contact 911 or have someone contact 911 Stay on the line, until dispatcher tells you to hang up. Start Hands Only-CPR (if not trained in CPR). Keep affected person warm and at rest SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

First Aid: Skin Contact
Immediately remove contaminated clothing (including shoes) Wash affected area of body with soap and large amounts of water for minutes If there are chemical burns: Cover area with sterile, dry dressing, and bandages Get medical attention SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

First Aid: Eye Contact Wash immediately for minutes (lifting lower and upper eyelids) In case of burns, apply sterile bandages loosely without medication Get medical attention immediately SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

Summary The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard has specific components in place to protect employees from health hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde Formaldehyde is an irritant and potential human carcinogen, and it is widely used OSHA has set permissible exposure limits (PEL) for formaldehyde to ensure worker safety In the event that overexposure to formaldehyde is suspected, evacuate the area and contact 911 Annual training is required when working in an area which contains formaldehyde. SIU-Center for Environmental Health & Safety

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