Subpart Z
Yes. Under 1926.1148 the formaldehyde requirements apply to construction work that involves formaldehyde exposures and are identical to the requirements in 1910.1048. Employers must follow the 1926.1148 rule for any construction activities that create formaldehyde exposures (for example cutting, sanding, or installing materials that release formaldehyde).
Employers must control exposures to formaldehyde to meet the limits set in 1910.1048. The standard defines an Action Level (AL) of 0.5 ppm as an 8-hour TWA, a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour TWA, and a Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 2 ppm over 15 minutes.
Employers must begin monitoring when they have reason to believe that any employee may be exposed at or above the Action Level (0.5 ppm) or the STEL (2 ppm); they must also conduct initial monitoring to determine employee exposures and periodic follow-up monitoring as required by 1910.1048.
Employers must use accurate, validated sampling and analytical methods to measure formaldehyde exposure as described in 1910.1048. Approved methods include recognized air-sampling techniques and laboratory analysis capable of determining time-weighted averages and 15-minute samples for STEL determination.
Yes. Employers must establish a regulated area when airborne formaldehyde concentrations exceed the PEL, STEL, or the ceiling limits in 1910.1048. The regulated area must limit access to authorized personnel and use appropriate warning signs and controls.
Employers must provide initial and annual refresher training to employees who are or may be exposed to formaldehyde at or above the Action Level, and to employees who work in regulated areas, per 1910.1048. Training must cover the health hazards of formaldehyde, exposure limits, protective measures (engineering controls, PPE, hygiene), and how to use equipment and read labels.
Employers must provide medical surveillance when an employee is exposed at or above the Action Level for 30 or more days per year, or is exposed above the STEL, or if the employee develops signs or symptoms of formaldehyde-related health effects, as required in 1910.1048.
Employers must provide the healthcare professional with specific information as required by 1910.1048, including a description of the employee's duties as they relate to exposure, the employee’s anticipated exposure level, a description of personal protective equipment used, and relevant medical and work history (including previous exposures).
No. Employers must use feasible engineering and work-practice controls to reduce formaldehyde exposures to the lowest feasible level; where such controls cannot reduce exposures to or below the PEL and STEL, respirators are allowed as supplemental protection as specified in 1910.1048.
Employers must post warning signs at the boundaries of regulated areas and label containers and pipes that hold formaldehyde in accordance with the labeling requirements in 1910.1048. Signs must include the word 'DANGER' when appropriate and specify the hazard and required protective measures.
Employers must maintain exposure monitoring records and medical records for the durations specified in 1910.1048. Typically, exposure-monitoring records must be kept for at least 30 years and medical records must be maintained for the duration required by the medical recordkeeping provisions in 1910.1048.
Employers must immediately take steps to reduce exposures when monitoring shows concentrations above the STEL in 1910.1048, including implementing or strengthening engineering controls, work practices, and—if necessary—providing appropriate respiratory protection until controls reduce exposures to compliant levels.
Yes. In addition to labeling requirements in the formaldehyde standard itself, employers must follow the Hazard Communication Standard for SDS and labeling obligations, as incorporated and cross-referenced in 1910.1048 and the general 1910 requirements.
Employers must remove employees who develop signs or symptoms of formaldehyde-related health effects from exposure until a physician or licensed healthcare professional determines it is safe to return, as required by 1910.1048. The employer must also provide medical evaluation and follow-up as part of the medical surveillance program.
Employers must implement housekeeping and decontamination procedures to prevent unnecessary exposure and contamination as described in 1910.1048. This includes cleaning surfaces, disposing of contaminated materials safely, and providing facilities for washing and changing clothes when needed.
Employers on multi-employer construction sites must coordinate with other employers to ensure exposures are controlled and that affected workers are protected when formaldehyde exposures are present, consistent with the duties described in 1910.1048 and general OSHA multi-employer enforcement principles. Each employer must make sure its employees receive required monitoring, training, and medical surveillance if exposures meet the thresholds.
Employers must follow the medical removal and return-to-work provisions in 1910.1048, which require removal of employees from exposure if medically necessary and provide for appropriate follow-up and job placement consistent with medical advice. Employers must not allow a worker to return until cleared by a physician or licensed healthcare professional as specified in 1910.1048.
Employers must keep accurate records of all employee exposure measurements in accordance with the monitoring and recordkeeping provisions in 1910.1048. Records must include sampling dates, methods, results, sampling and analytical procedures, and identities of the employees represented.
Yes. When respirators are required to protect employees from formaldehyde exposures, employers must implement a respiratory protection program that includes medical evaluations and fit testing as required by 29 CFR 1910.134 and as referenced in 1910.1048.
Employers must evaluate the job for potential formaldehyde exposure, perform initial monitoring when needed, provide hazard communication and training, ensure appropriate engineering controls and PPE, and enroll the employee in medical surveillance if exposures meet the thresholds—all as required in 1910.1048.
Employers must provide employees or their representatives access to exposure monitoring data, medical records, and training records as required by 1910.1048. Requests should be handled promptly, and records provided according to the access and confidentiality provisions in the standard.
Yes. Employers must have emergency procedures for spills or accidental releases of formaldehyde that cover evacuation, medical care, decontamination, and cleanup, following the emergency response and medical surveillance provisions in 1910.1048. Employers should also coordinate with local emergency responders and ensure employees are trained in those procedures.