Safe Work Practices
Engineering Controls
Ventilation is the best method for reducing the concentration of airborne substances in the breathing zone of workers. Local exhaust ventilation in the form of a chemical fume hood, snorkel or downdraft table must be used whenever possible. Class II A2, B or C1 biosafety cabinets which are connected to the building hazardous exhaust system can be used if only minute quantities of formaldehyde are being used over a short duration.
Work Practice Controls
Work practices and administrative controls can also help in reducing airborne concentrations of formaldehyde and potential exposures and are to be used in conjunction with engineering controls. Recommended work practices include:
- Develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for formaldehyde and/or formaldehyde solution use,
- Keep solution containers of formaldehyde closed when not in use,
- Use the smallest amount of formaldehyde required for each procedure,
- Perform tasks involving formaldehyde in well ventilated areas,
- Do not autoclave or microwave formaldehyde solutions,
- Use formaldehyde preservative substitutes whenever possible,
- Assure that all primary and secondary containers are labeled as required.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is important to prevent for employee splash or other sudden contact with formaldehyde by creating a barrier between the user and formaldehyde. PPE minimizes the potential for employee exposure, but unlike engineering and work practice controls, does not reduce ambient formaldehyde exposure levels. Therefore PPE should only be used as a supplement to engineering and work practice controls. Recommended PPE includes impermeable gloves, eye protection, lab coats and in some cases respiratory protection.
Respirators are only to be used in limited circumstances (emergencies or when engineering/work practice controls are not feasible). Persons wearing respiratory protection must receive training, fit testing and a medical evaluation from EHS before being permitted to wear tight fitting respirators.
Other Required Controls
If a person's skin could be splashed with solutions containing 1 percent or greater formaldehyde (because of equipment failure, work practices or an accident), a quick drench safety shower must be available for use.
If a person's eyes could be splashed with solutions containing 1 percent or greater formaldehyde (because of equipment failure, work practices or an accident), a safety eyewash must be available for use.
Housekeeping and Spill Response
In areas where formaldehyde is utilized and spills may occur, provisions must be made to contain spills, decontaminate the work area and dispose of the waste. Employees cleaning up spills must be properly trained and wear suitable protective clothing. For small spills (<100 ml aqueous solution), remove all ignition sources, isolate the hazard area and deny entry to unnecessary persons, contain the spill with absorbent materials while wearing proper protective equipment. For larger spills (>100 ml aqueous solutions), spills outside a chemical fume hood or biosafety cabinet, or emergencies where the permissible exposure limit (PEL) or short-term exposure limit (STEL) may be exceeded, evacuate the area and call EHS (540-231-3600) during work hours or 911 after hours.
To clean-up solid Paraformaldehyde, dampen the absorbent pad with methanol before placing over the spilled material and allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping up. After the spill has been completely absorbed, wash down the contaminated area with soap and water at least two times.
All debris resulting from a spill response, including any contaminated clothing and PPE, must be kept in a properly labeled, sealed container until it can be removed by EHS as hazardous waste.