Washington Administrative Code
Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of
Chapter 296-856 - Formaldehyde
Section 296-856-40020 - Establishing exposure control areas

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 296-856-40020

Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024

(1) You must establish temporary or permanent exposure control areas where airborne concentrations of formaldehyde are above either the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA8) or the 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL), by doing at least the following:

(a) Clearly identify the boundaries of exposure control areas in any way that minimizes employee access.

(b) Post signs at access points to exposure control areas that:
(i) Are easy to read (for example, they are kept clean and well lit);

AND

(ii) Include this warning:

DANGER

FORMALDEHYDE

MAY CAUSE CANCER

CAUSES SKIN, EYE, AND RESPIRATORY IRRITATION

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

Note: This requirement does not prevent you from posting other signs.

(2) You must allow only employees, who have been trained to recognize the hazards of formaldehyde exposure, to enter exposure control areas.

Note: * When identifying the boundaries of exposure control areas you should consider factors such as:
- The level and duration of airborne exposure.
- Whether the area is permanent or temporary.
- The number of employees in adjacent areas.
* You may use permanent or temporary enclosures, caution tape, ropes, painted lines on surfaces, or other materials to visibly distinguish exposure control areas or separate them from the rest of the workplace.

(3) You must inform other employers at multi-employer work sites of the exposure control areas, and the restrictions that apply to those areas.

Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 06-08-087, § 296-856-40020, filed 4/4/06, effective 9/1/06.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Washington may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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