This week OSHA published a Notice soliciting public comments on the proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Formaldehyde Standard. Comments must be submitted by August 28, 2023.
The information collection requirements of the Standard are intended to protect employees from adverse health effects that may result from their exposure to formaldehyde. They include:
- Monitoring employee exposure and notifying employees of their exposure levels within 15 days of receiving the results
- Providing medical surveillance to employees exposed to formaldehyde concentrations at or exceeding the Action Level or exceeding the Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL)
- Providing examining physicians with specific information including a description of the employees job duties and personal protective equipment worn
- Ensuring that employees receive a copy of their medical examination results within 15 days of receipt
- Maintaining employees’ exposure monitoring and medical records for the duration of employment plus 30 years
- Providing employees covered by the Standard, as well as OSHA and other agencies, with access to training materials and records upon request
OSHA has noted that they have particular interest in comments related to whether the above requirements are useful and necessary to protect workers; the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply. Comments may be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov.
For additional information on the Formaldehyde Standard and determining whether your facility is covered by it, please visit our blog on Formaldehyde Exposure Monitoring: What You Should Know, or email us at [email protected].
This blog was written by Beth Graham, Safety Partners’ Director of Quality, Research, and Training.
