1910.1048(h)(1): Formaldehyde Protective Clothing and Equipment
Employers must select protective clothing and equipment based on the form of formaldehyde, conditions of use and hazard. Eye and skin contact with liquids containing 1 percent or more formaldehyde must be prevented with impervious chemical clothing and other PPE such as goggles and face shields, and full body protection is required where concentrations exceed 100 ppm and for emergency reentry into areas of unknown concentration.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1048(h)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $46,161 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MD (2), VA (2), TN (2).
- Related part: 1910.1048(h) Protective equipment and clothing (21 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1048(h)(1) ("Selection") is one requirement inside 1910.1048 Formaldehyde, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 4 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) Selection. The employer shall select protective clothing and equipment based upon the form of formaldehyde to be encountered, the conditions of use, and the hazard to be prevented. 18 citations
(i) All contact of the eyes and skin with liquids containing 1 percent or more formaldehyde shall be prevented by the use of chemical protective clothing made of material impervious to formaldehyde and the use of other personal protective equipment, such as goggles and face shields, as appropriate to the operation. Open (h)(1)(i) 15 citations
(ii) Contact with irritating or sensitizing materials shall be prevented to the extent necessary to eliminate the hazard. Open (h)(1)(ii) 1 citations
(iii) Where a face shield is worn, chemical safety goggles are also required if there is a danger of formaldehyde reaching the area of the eye.
(iv) Full body protection shall be worn for entry into areas where concentrations exceed 100 ppm and for emergency reentry into areas of unknown concentration.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1048.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: MD (2), VA (2), TN (2), NY (2), MN (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FOREFRONT MANAGEMENT, LLC | PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI | $11,823 |
| DUREZ CORPORATION | NIAGARA FALLS, NY | $9,330 |
| ORADELL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC. | PARAMUS, NJ | $6,913 |
| ARNOT OGDEN MEDICAL CENTER | ELMIRA, NY | $5,531 |
| 159163 - CARRIAGE FUNERAL HOLDINGS, INC. | LAKE PARK, NC | $3,400 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1048(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicability of OSHA standards to formaldehyde exposures in laboratories (2017-03-23)
- Formaldehyde Standard Clarification (1989-02-21)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1048(h) Protective equipment and clothing 21 citations
- 1910.1048(h)(1)(i) 15 citations
- 1910.1048(h)(1)(ii) 1 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When must skin and eye contact with formaldehyde be prevented?
For liquids containing 1 percent or more formaldehyde.
Are goggles needed with a face shield?
Yes, chemical safety goggles are also required if there is a danger of formaldehyde reaching the eye area.
When is full body protection required?
For entry into areas where concentrations exceed 100 ppm and for emergency reentry into areas of unknown concentration.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1048 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-23
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.