Abstract:

Revision of the Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde standard
(1910.1048) by reducing the permissible exposure limits (PELs) from
3 parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (ppm) to 1 ppm as an
8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). The peak allowable exposure of
10 ppm (for up to 30 minutes) is revoked and the 5 ppm ceiling is
reduced to 2 ppm as a 15-minute short term exposure level (STEL).
Includes provisions for employee exposure monitoring, medical
surveillance, recordkeeping, regulated areas, emergency procedures,
preferred methods to control exposure, maintenance and selection of
personal protective equipment, and hazard communication. Parts
amended: 1910 Subpart B; 1910.19(j) [added]; 1910 Subpart Z;
1910.1000 Table Z-2; 1910.1048 Appendices A, B, C, D, and E are
added to Subpart Z; 1926 Subpart D; and 1926.55(d) [added]. This
amended standard takes effect on February 2, 1988, except for the
following paragraphs which contain information collection
requirements which are under review at the Office of Management and
Budget [5 CFR Part 1320]: 1910.1048(d)(1)(i), (d)(2), (d)(3),
(d)(4), (d)(6), (g)(3)(i), (g)(3)(ii), (l)(3), (l)(4), (l)(5),
(l)(6), (l)(7), (m)(1), (m)(2), (m)(3), (m)(4), (n)(3), (n)(4), and
(o). A notice will be published when the information collection
requirements are approved.