OSHA Formaldehyde Standard for Funeral Homes: Requirements and Equipment
OSHA's Formaldehyde Standard applies to every funeral home that embalms. This guide summarizes the exposure limits, monitoring, PPE, eyewash, training and recordkeeping requirements, quoting the regulation, and lists equipment that helps.
Embalming solutions contain formaldehyde, and 29 CFR 1910.1048 sets the rules for any workplace where employees are exposed to it. The requirements below are taken directly from the standard. Talk to your safety consultant about how they apply to your facility.
Quick answer: Keep employee exposure at or below 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour average and 2 ppm over 15 minutes. Monitor exposure, provide PPE and eyewash where splashes of 0.1% or greater formaldehyde can occur, train employees at least annually, and keep exposure records for at least 30 years.
Key Requirements
| Requirement | What the standard says |
|---|---|
| Permissible exposure limit | 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average |
| Short-term limit | 2 ppm as a 15-minute STEL |
| Action level | 0.5 ppm (8-hour TWA), which triggers medical surveillance and other duties |
| Eyewash | Required in the immediate work area if eyes may be splashed with solutions of 0.1% or more formaldehyde |
| Quick drench shower | Required if skin may be splashed with solutions of 1% or more |
| Training | At initial assignment, when new exposure is introduced, and at least annually |
| Records | Exposure records kept for at least 30 years |
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1048.
Equipment That Helps
- Gloves: Extended-cuff barriers such as 10 mil extended-cuff nitrile or 15 mil high-risk latex.
- Gowns and coveralls: Full-length embalming gowns and high-exposure coveralls.
- Station and sink: An embalming station at the table keeps water and drainage where the work happens.
- Ventilation: Low exhaust near the table, designed by a mechanical engineer.
USPE 10 Mil Extended-Cuff Nitrile Exam Gloves – Case10 mil extended cuff
USPE 15 Mil High-Risk Latex Exam Gloves – Case15 mil latex
FS1 Ultracool Embalming Gown Full LengthEmbalming gown
PPE High Exposure CoverallsCoveralls
Universal Use Yellow Isolation GownIsolation gowns
USPE 6 Mil Black Nitrile Exam Gloves – Case6 mil black nitrile
Build It Into the Floor Plan
Eyewash location and exhaust are much cheaper to plan before construction. See the funeral home floor plan equipment checklist and the prep room supplies checklist.
Getting Started With Monitoring
The standard requires employers to identify employees who may be exposed at or above the action level or STEL and to measure their exposure. Many funeral homes hire an industrial hygienist to take personal air samples during typical embalming cases, then repeat sampling when procedures, ventilation or caseload change. If results are below the action level and STEL, the standard allows monitoring to stop under conditions it sets. Keep the results with your training and medical records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OSHA formaldehyde exposure limit?
0.75 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average and 2 ppm as a 15-minute short-term limit.
Does a funeral home prep room need an eyewash?
Yes, if eyes may be splashed with solutions containing 0.1% or more formaldehyde. OSHA requires eyewash facilities in the immediate work area.
How often is formaldehyde training required?
At initial assignment, whenever a new exposure is introduced, and at least annually.
How long must exposure records be kept?
At least 30 years.
Questions about fit, freight or lead time? Call our Johnson City, Tennessee team at 1-888-792-9315 or email cool@mymortuarycooler.com.
