1910.1048(i): Hygiene Facilities for Formaldehyde
Employers must provide change rooms for workers who change into protective clothing to prevent formaldehyde skin contact. Where skin may be splashed with solutions of 1 percent or greater formaldehyde, conveniently located quick drench showers must be provided and used immediately, and where eyes may be splashed with 0.1 percent or greater solutions, eyewash facilities must be in the immediate work area.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1048(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $22,504 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (3), NY (3), MD (2).
- Related part: 1910.1048(i)(3) (8 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1048(i) ("Hygiene protection") is one requirement inside 1910.1048 Formaldehyde, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 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
(i) Hygiene protection. 12 citations
(1) The employer shall provide change rooms, as described in 29 CFR 1910.141 for employees who are required to change from work clothing into protective clothing to prevent skin contact with formaldehyde.
(2) If employees' skin may become spashed with solutions containing 1 percent or greater formaldehyde, for example, because of equipment failure or improper work practices, the employer shall provide conveniently located quick drench showers and assure that affected employees use these facilities immediately. Open (i)(2) 4 citations
(3) If there is any possibility that an employee's eyes may be splashed with solutions containing 0.1 percent or greater formaldehyde, the employer shall provide acceptable eyewash facilities within the immediate work area for emergency use. Open (i)(3) 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1048.
Export the list: 10 inspections cited 1910.1048(i) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Top states: VA (3), NY (3), MD (2), MI (1), NJ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DUREZ CORPORATION | NIAGARA FALLS, NY | $18,660 |
| 2200 SPA HOLDING GROUP, LLC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $2,904 |
| 107984 - SANCTUARY SALONSPA EXCELSIOR LLC | EXCELSIOR, MN | $540 |
| GREAT LAKES MEDICAL LABORATORIES, INC | DEARBORN, MI | $400 |
| ORADELL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC. | PARAMUS, NJ | $0 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1048(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1048(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1048(i)(3) 8 citations
- 1910.1048(i)(2) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When are quick drench showers required?
If employees' skin may be splashed with solutions containing 1 percent or greater formaldehyde.
When is an eyewash required?
If there is any possibility eyes may be splashed with solutions containing 0.1 percent or greater formaldehyde.
Where must the eyewash be?
Within the immediate work area for emergency use.
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 2026-11-05
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.