WAC 296-856-500
Definitions.
Action level
An airborne concentration of formaldehyde of 0.5 parts
per million of air calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted
average.
Authorized personnel
Individuals specifically permitted by the employer to
enter the exposure control area to perform duties, or to
observe employee exposure evaluations as a designated
representative.
Breathing zone
The space around and in front of an employee's nose and
mouth, forming a hemisphere with a six- to nine-inch radius.
CAS (chemical abstract service) number
CAS numbers are internationally recognized and used on
material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and other documents to
identify substances. For more information see
http://www.cas.org
Canister or cartridge (air-purifying)
Part of an air-purifying respirator that consists of a
container holding materials such as fiber, treated charcoal,
or a combination of the two, that removes contaminants from
the air passing through the cartridge or canister.
Container
Any container, except for pipes or piping systems that
contains formaldehyde. It can be any of the following:
• Barrel.
• Bottle.
• Can.
• Cylinder.
• Drum.
• Reaction vessel.
• Shipping containers.
• Storage tank.
Designated representative
Any one of the following:
• Any individual or organization to which an employee
gives written authorization.
• A recognized or certified collective bargaining agent
without regard to written employee authorization.
• The legal representative of a deceased or legally
incapacitated employee.
Emergency
Any event that could or does result in the unexpected
significant release of formaldehyde. Examples of emergencies
include equipment failure, container rupture, or control
equipment failure.
Exposure
The contact an employee has with formaldehyde, whether or
not protection is provided by respirators or other personal
protective equipment (PPE). Exposure can occur through
various routes of entry such as inhalation, ingestion, skin
contact, or skin absorption.
Formaldehyde
An organic chemical with the formula of HCHO, represented
by the chemical abstract service (CAS) registry number
50-00-0. Examples of primary uses of formaldehyde and its
solutions are as follows:
• An intermediate in the production of:
– Resins.
– Industrial chemicals.
• A bactericide or fungicide.
• A preservative.
• A component in the manufacture of end-use consumer
items such as cosmetics, shampoos, and glues.
Licensed healthcare professional (LHCP)
An individual whose legally permitted scope of practice
allows him or her to provide some or all of the healthcare
services required for medical evaluations.
Permissible exposure limits (PELs)
PELs are employee exposures to toxic substances or
harmful physical agents that must not be exceeded. PELs are
also specified in WISHA rules found in other chapters. The
PEL for formaldehyde is an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA8)
of 0.75 parts per million (ppm) and a 15-minute short-term
exposure limit of 2 ppm.
Short-term exposure limit (STEL)
An exposure limit averaged over a 15-minute period that
must not be exceeded during an employee's workday.
Time-weighted average (TWA8)
An exposure limit averaged over an 8-hour period that
must not be exceeded during an employee's workday.
Uncontrolled release
A release where significant safety and health risks could
be created. Releases of hazardous substances that are either
incidental or could not create a safety or health hazard
(i.e., fire, explosion, or chemical exposure) are not
considered to be uncontrolled releases.
Examples of conditions that could create a significant
safety and health risk are:
• Large-quantity releases.
• Small releases that could be highly toxic.
• Potentially contaminated individuals arriving at
hospitals.
• Airborne exposures that could exceed a WISHA
permissible exposure limit or a published exposure limit and
employees are not adequately trained or equipped to control
the release.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050,
49.17.060. 06-08-087, § 296-856-500, filed 4/4/06, effective
9/1/06.]