PDFWAC 296-855-40040

Respirators.

IMPORTANT:
The requirements in this section are in addition to the requirements found in another chapter, Respirators, chapter 296-842 WAC.
Medical evaluations meeting all requirements of WAC 296-855-30030, will fulfill the medical evaluation requirement found in another chapter, Respirators, chapter 296-842 WAC.
(1) You must provide each employee with an appropriate respirator that complies with the requirements of this section, and require that employees use them in circumstances where exposure is above either PEL, such as when:
(a) Feasible exposure controls are being put in place.
(b) Employees conduct work operations such as maintenance and repair activities or vessel cleaning for which exposure controls are not feasible.
(c) Feasible exposure controls do not reduce exposures to or below the PELs.
(d) Employees are responding to emergencies.
(2) You must ensure all respirator use is accompanied by eye protection either through the use of full-facepiece respirators, hoods, or chemical goggles.
(3) You must develop, implement, and maintain a respirator program that meets the requirements of another chapter, Respirators, chapter 296-842 WAC, which covers each employee required by this chapter to use a respirator.
(a) You must select and provide to employees appropriate respirators according to this section and WAC 296-842-13005 in the respirator rule.
(b) You must limit selection and use of respirators, including escape respirators, to those with a full-facepiece or another type of respirator providing eye protection. This is necessary to prevent eye irritation or injury from EtO exposure.
(c) You must equip full-facepiece air-purifying respirators, including escape respirators, with a front- or back-mounted canister certified for protection against ethylene oxide.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-855-40040, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18; WSR 09-15-145, § 296-855-40040, filed 7/21/09, effective 9/1/09; WSR 07-05-072, § 296-855-40040, filed 2/20/07, effective 4/1/07; WSR 05-17-168, § 296-855-40040, filed 8/23/05, effective 1/1/06.]