Question

A local furniture manufacturing plant contacted you (an industrial hygienist) to assist with an OSHA compliance matter. Describe how you would go about determining if the plant must comply with the OSHA formaldehyde standard. The plant uses phenol formaldehyde resin in the manufacture of medium density fiberboard used as the backing for furniture.

Answer 1

As per OAHA act, a PEL (Permissible ) in all workplaces (except for agricultrue )is 0.75 ppm measured as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA). The standard includes a 2 ppm short-term exposure limit (STEL) (i.e., maximum exposure allowed during a 15-minute period). The "action level" is 0.5 ppm measured over 8 hours. SO measurment of concentrations as per the stipulated procedue to ensure the above norms are met.

The use of formaldehyde demands labelling all of all components containing , including mixtures and solutions, composed of 0.1 percent or greater formaldehyde, and for materials capable of releasing formaldehyde in excess of 0.1 ppm. Hazard labeling, including a warning that formaldehyde presents a potential cancer hazard, is required where formaldehyde levels, under reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, may potentially exceed 0.5 ppm. The labelling needs to be ensured.

Training is required at least annually for all employees exposed to formaldehyde concentrations of 0.1 ppm or greater.