Friday 20 March 2026
Internal Reference Number: FOI_9125
Date Request Received: 05/01/2026 00:00:00
Date Request Replied To: 11/03/2026 00:00:00
This response was sent via: By Email
Request Summary: Formaldehyde exposure in surgery
Request Category: Private Individuals
| Question Number 1: Under the Environmental Information Regulations (2004), please provide the following information relating to employee exposure to formaldehyde (formalin) in the Trust’s operating/surgical theatres. Documents requested: 1. Please provide the current COSHH risk assessment(s) relating to formaldehyde (formalin) exposure for staff working in operating/surgical theatres, produced to meet the Trust’s duties under COSHH Regulation 6. 2. Please provide copies of all formaldehyde (formalin) exposure monitoring data held by the Trust for operating/surgical theatre staff for the last 12 months, including: o Fixed/static air monitoring results o Personal exposure or badge monitoring results (with personal data redacted as appropriate) This request includes monitoring undertaken for any purpose, including baseline, verification, and/or investigation monitoring, in line with COSHH Regulation 10. It is noted that COSHH Regulation 10(5)(b) requires such records to be kept for a minimum of five years. | |
| Answer To Question 1: Please see attached the most recent Risk Assessment and Safety Data sheet. These documents are currently under review. Formaldehyde is kept in the COSHH cupboard specific for this fluid. Formaldehyde is only used within the ventilation hub. There is no exposure or badge monitoring currently, but the purchase of Personal Monitoring Badges is currently under investigation. To accompany this answer to question 1 please also see the documents listed below:  10% Buffered Formalin SDS.pdf Assessment (Exposure Scenario ID 4180687).pdf | |
| Question Number 2: How does the Trust prevent or control employee exposure to formaldehyde (formalin) in its operating/surgical theatres, including but not limited to engineering, procedural, and/or organisational controls? | |
| Answer To Question 2: Staff are trained to process specimens using the ventilation hub specific for formaldehyde specimen collection. | |
| Question Number 3: Does the Trust undertake regular scheduled formaldehyde (formalin) exposure monitoring in operating/surgical theatres? If so, please state the frequency. | |
| Answer To Question 3: No. | |
| Question Number 4: Please state the total number of occasions on which regular scheduled formaldehyde (formalin) exposure monitoring has been undertaken in operating/surgical theatres in the last 12 months. | |
| Answer To Question 4: None. | |
| Question Number 5: If regular scheduled formaldehyde (formalin) exposure monitoring is not undertaken, please provide documentation held by the Trust that demonstrates the effectiveness of current controls and supports the decision that routine monitoring is not required. If no such documentation is held, please confirm how the Trust assures compliance with COSHH Regulations 7 and 10 in the absence of routine exposure monitoring. | |
| Answer To Question 5: There is no routine monitoring. Compliance is through using the specimen hub and the specific process of processing specimens. Any members of staff who develop or have specific breathing issues are referred to Occupational Heath to monitor health and give guidance on work activity. | |
| Please see Attachments: | |
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Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
