Environmental Health and Safety

Responsibilities

EHS

EHS is responsible for:

  • Developing, implementing, and administering the program,
  • Providing training on the safe use of formaldehyde-containing products and materials,
  • Maintaining centralized records if online training is taken,
  • Conducting formaldehyde exposure monitorings,
  • When requested or as needed, review and provide feedback on formaldehyde use and recommend appropriate work procedures, controls and personal protective equipment (PPE),
  • Evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program on a periodic basis and making appropriate changes as needed to assure the safety of personnel.

Involvement by EHS does not relieve the departments, supervisors, or contractors of their individual responsibilities.

Principal Investigators and Supervisors

  • Address the use of formaldehyde as part of the laboratory-specific documentation in the Chemical Hygiene Plan if applicable, or the Hazard Communication Plan for other worksites,
  • Ensure that personnel performing work with formaldehyde are trained and provided appropriate protective equipment,
  • Ensure that personnel are utilizing the proper engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize formaldehyde exposure.
  • Contact EHS to arrange exposure monitoring whenever work area exposures are or may be over 0.1 parts per million (ppm).

Employees

  • Attend required training, either online and/or as provided by the Principal Investigator or designee. The online training must be taken if work area exposures are or may be greater than 0.1 ppm.
  • Review and follow proper work practices, utilize proper engineering controls and wear proper personal protective equipment to minimize formaldehyde exposure.