1910.1048(h): Formaldehyde Protective Equipment and Clothing
Employers must provide formaldehyde protective equipment and clothing at no cost and make sure employees wear it, selected by the form of formaldehyde, conditions and hazard. Eye and skin contact with liquids of 1 percent or more must be prevented with impervious clothing and goggles or face shields as needed. Full body protection is required above 100 ppm and for emergency reentry into unknown concentrations. Contaminated gear must be cleaned before reuse.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1048(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $49,219 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (3), CT (2), MD (2).
- Related part: 1910.1048(h)(1) Selection (18 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1048(h) ("Protective equipment and clothing") is one requirement inside 1910.1048 Formaldehyde, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 16 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
(h) Protective equipment and clothing. Employers shall comply with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.132 and 29 CFR 1910.133. When protective equipment or clothing is provided under these provisions, the employer shall provide these protective devices at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee wears them. 21 citations
(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. Open (h)(1) 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.
(2) Maintenance of protective equipment and clothing. 2 citations
(i) The employer shall assure that protective equipment and clothing that has become contaminated with formaldehyde is cleaned or laundered before its reuse.
(ii) When formaldehyde-contaminated clothing and equipment is ventilated, the employer shall establish storage areas so that employee exposure is minimized. 1 citations
(A) Signs. Storage areas for contaminated clothing and equipment shall have signs bearing the following legend: 1 citations
DANGER
FORMALDEHYDE-CONTAMINATED [CLOTHING] EQUIPMENT
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES SKIN, EYE AND RESPIRATORY IRRITATION
DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR
DO NOT GET ON SKIN
(B) Labels. The employer shall ensure containers for contaminated clothing and equipment are labeled consistent with the Hazard Communication Standard, § 1910.1200, and shall, as a minimum, include the following:
DANGER
FORMALDEHYDE-CONTAMINATED [CLOTHING] EQUIPMENT
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES SKIN, EYE, AND RESPIRATORY IRRITATION
DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR
DO NOT GET ON SKIN
(C) Prior to June 1, 2016, employers may use the following legend in lieu of that specified in paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(A) of this section:
DANGER
FORMALDEHYDE-CONTAMINATED [CLOTHING] EQUIPMENT
AVOID INHALATION AND SKIN CONTACT
(D) Prior to June 1, 2015, employers may include the following information on containers of protective clothing and equipment in lieu of the labeling requirements in paragraphs (h)(2)(ii)(B) of this section:
DANGER
FORMALDEHYDE-CONTAMINATED [CLOTHING] EQUIPMENT
AVOID INHALATION AND SKIN CONTACT
(iii) The employer shall assure that only persons trained to recognize the hazards of formaldehyde remove the contaminated material from the storage area for purposes of cleaning, laundering, or disposal.
(iv) The employer shall assure that no employee takes home equipment or clothing that is contaminated with formaldehyde. 1 citations
(v) The employer shall repair or replace all required protective clothing and equipment for each affected employee as necessary to assure its effectiveness.
(vi) The employer shall inform any person who launders, cleans, or repairs such clothing or equipment of formaldehyde's potentially harmful effects and of procedures to safely handle the clothing and equipment.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1048.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (3), CT (2), MD (2), VA (2), NY (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), 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)(1) Selection 18 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
Who pays for formaldehyde PPE?
The employer must provide it at no cost to the employee.
When is full body protection required?
For entry into areas where concentrations exceed 100 ppm and for emergency reentry into areas of unknown concentration.
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.
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.