Environmental Health and Safety

Formaldehyde Safety Training

All persons exposed to formaldehyde (including those that receive or transport biological samples/tissues preserved in formaldehyde) must be trained on its hazards and the available methods of protection. This training must occur at the time of initial job assignment and whenever a new exposure to formaldehyde is introduced into the work area. The online training may be used, but it must be supplemented by lab and procedure-specific training. If training is provided by the Principal Investigator or designee in lieu of the online training, it must address the following:

  • Properties of formaldehyde,
  • Formaldehyde exposure limits and exposure monitoring,
  • Engineering and work practice controls in use in the lab
  • Required use of personal protective equipment
  • How to respond to spills and other exposure events
  • Potential health effects
  • How to recognize and reports signs or symptoms of formaldehyde exposure

Training documentation must be maintained in the lab for at least three years for review by EHS. Note that the online training does have a one year expiration.

All persons assigned to workplaces where airborne formaldehyde concentrations meet or exceed 0.1 ppm must be trained on an annual basis to confirm their understanding of formaldehyde, its hazards and the available methods of protection. Such locations may include necropsy areas, histology, pathology, and anatomy labs/classes. It may also include areas where formaldehyde-containing products are used without engineering controls, such as when larger quantities of these products are used in the field. The training is mandatory and must be repeated annually. You can register to take this training here. This training must be supplemented by specific training on the engineering and work practice controls used at the location.