Formaldehyde Standard 10

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

• Employees should be trained on potential bloodborne pathogens and work practices at least annually, and when they are initially assigned to tasks that involve occupational exposure.
• The training program should include information on the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases, modes of transmission, and the recognition of tasks that may involve exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Training and Record-Keeping

• Training records should be kept for at least three years.
• Employee medical records should be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years.

Medical Evaluation and Follow-up

• A medical evaluation and follow-up should be provided to employees who have an exposure incident, with the goal of determining if the employee has been infected with a bloodborne pathogen.
• Employees should receive a medical evaluation and follow-up after an exposure incident within 24 hours, and the follow-up should be completed within 24 hours.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Employees should be trained on the use of PPE, including the proper use, cleaning, and disposal of gloves and other protective equipment.
• Showers should provide a continuous supply of water for at least 15 minutes to remove formaldehyde residue.

Formaldehyde Standard

• The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde is 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA).
• The Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is 2 ppm for 15-minute periods.
• The Action Level is triggered when the exposure level is above 0.5 ppm.
• If the exposure level is above the Action Level but below 0.75 ppm, the employer should implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce the exposure level.

Hazard Communication Standard

• The purpose of the Hazard Communication Standard is to ensure that employees are informed about the hazards of chemicals in the workplace.
• Safety data sheets (SDS) should be stored in an easily accessible location and should be updated as necessary.
• Container labeling should include the product identifier, signal words, and hazard statements.

Exposure Control Plan

• The Exposure Control Plan should include information on the tasks that may involve exposure to bloodborne pathogens, the procedures for preventing or minimizing exposure, and the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.
• Hepatitis B vaccinations should be offered to employees who are at risk of occupational exposure.

Funeral Home Requirements

• When the Action Level is triggered, the funeral home should implement engineering and work practice controls, provide personal protective equipment, and provide medical surveillance to employees.
• The STEL test should be conducted in a funeral home at least every 6 months, and the TWA 8-hour test should be conducted at least every 6 months.
• The funeral home should notify employees in writing of the results of monitoring within 15 days.
• Monitoring results should be kept in a record for at least 30 years.
• Remedial action is not required for formaldehyde exposure if the exposure level is below the Action Level.
• The three ongoing responsibilities of a funeral home to comply with the Formaldehyde Standard are to monitor exposure levels, implement controls to reduce exposure, and provide medical surveillance to employees.