WSR 00-16-151

EXPEDITED ADOPTION

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[ Filed August 2, 2000, 11:34 a.m. ]

Title of Rule: Chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards.

Purpose: Chapter 296-62 WAC, Part E, Respiratory protection rules, describe an employer's responsibilities for protecting employees from occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, vapors, or aerosols. On September 1, 1999, the newly revised standard became effective. Six months later, WISHA conducted a stakeholder usability survey to determine if the standard was written clearly. From responses to the survey and an internal review, several places were identified where the rule was not written clearly and could possibly lead to noncompliance. Therefore, WISHA will make some minor wording changes to clarify the language. There will be no changes in requirements so the "expedited" rule adoption will be used.

     GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: General occupational health standards, chapter 296-62 WAC, Part E, Respiratory protection:

WAC 296-62-07105 Definitions.

Added descriptive words to improve clarity and better define "filtering facepiece."
Added the definition of "dust mask" to improve clarity.
Added descriptive words to better define "respirator" and improve clarity.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07117 What must you do when employees choose to wear respirators when respirators are not required?

Modified the wording to WAC 296-62-07117(3) to improve clarity and understanding that medical evaluations are not necessary when dust masks are voluntarily used.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07131 What else must you consider when selecting a respirator for use in atmospheres that are not IDLH?

Added guidance on how to use an assigned protection factor.
Clarified that APF values in Table 1 only apply when contaminant-specific standards do not address selection.
Added "sorbent cartridges or canisters" to "HEPA filters in Table 1, Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)" categories. The descriptive wording was inadvertently omitted from the category.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07150 What are the general requirements for medical evaluations?

Added wording and reformatted the subsection to clarify when medical evaluations are not required.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07155 What must be included in the PLHCP's written recommendation?

Changed the word "follow-up" to "periodic future" for clarity.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07156 When are additional medical evaluations required?

Changed the wording "additional medical" to "future medical" evaluations to improve clarity.
Added "PLHCP recommends that an employee be reevaluated at a set interval" to clarify when future medical evaluations are provided.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07162 How must fit testing be done?

Added wording for clarity to better describe the use of negative pressure respirator in concentrations equal to or greater than ten times the PEL.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07190 When must your employees be trained?

Corrected a reference, WAC 296-62-07132 to 296-62-07172, for accuracy.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07201 Appendix A-1: General fit testing requirements for respiratory protection -- Mandatory.

Added the word "Appendices" as a title in the index to delineate the "Recordkeeping" (WAC 296-62-07194) section from the "Appendix" (WAC 296-62-07201) section.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.
WAC 296-62-07255 Appendix C: WISHA respirator medical evaluation questionnaire -- Mandatory.

Added the word "filtering facepiece" and removed the word "disposable" from Question 11 in Part A, Section 1, of the medical questionnaire to improve clarity.
No additional compliance requirements are being established.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 49.17 RCW.

Summary: See Purpose above.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Tracy Spencer, Tumwater, (360) 902-5530; Implementation and Enforcement: Michael A. Silverstein, Tumwater, (360) 902-5495.

Name of Proponent: Department of Labor and Industries, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Chapter 296-62 WAC, Part E, Respiratory protection, became effective on September 1, 1999. Six months later, WISHA conducted a stakeholder usability survey to determine if the standard was written clearly. From responses to the survey and an internal review, several places were identified where the rule was not written clearly and could possibly lead to noncompliance. Therefore, WISHA will make some minor wording changes to clarify the language. There will be no changes in requirements so the "expedited" rule adoption will be used.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Approximately six months after the promulgation of chapter 296-62 WAC, Part E, Respiratory protection, the department conducted a usability survey via a questionnaire to approximately 5,000 stakeholders. Based on the responses to the survey, changes are being proposed to clarify certain areas of the rule. Additionally, an internal review was also conducted and several other areas will also be updated for the sake of clarity. No additional requirements will be created.

NOTICE

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE ADOPTED USING AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS RULE BEING ADOPTED USING THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Selwyn Walters, Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44001, Olympia, WA 98504-4001, fax (360) 902-4202 , AND RECEIVED BY October 2, 2000.


August 2, 2000

Gary Moore

Director

OTS-4129.3


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07105
Definitions.

The following definitions are important terms used in this part.

     Aerosol means a suspension of liquid or solid particles in air.

     Air-purifying respirator means a respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.

     Assigned protection factor (APF) is the expected level of workplace respiratory protection provided by a properly functioning respirator worn by properly fitted and trained individuals. It describes the ratio of the ambient concentration of an airborne substance to the concentration of the substance inside the respirator.

     Atmosphere-supplying respirator means a respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from an uncontaminated source, and includes supplied-air respirators (SARs) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.

     Canister or cartridge (air-purifying) means a container with a filter, sorbent, or catalyst, or any combination of these materials, which removes specific contaminants from the air drawn through it.

     Canister (oxygen-generating) means a container filled with a chemical that generates oxygen by chemical reaction.

     Demand respirator means an atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece only when suction is created inside the facepiece by inhalation.

     Dust means a solid, mechanically-produced particle with sizes varying from submicroscopic to visible.      See WAC 296-62-07001(1).

     Dust mask means a type of filtering facepiece respirator. See the definition for "filtering facepiece."

     Emergency situation means any occurrence that may or does result in an uncontrolled significant release of an airborne contaminant. Causes of emergency situations include, but are not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment.

     Employee exposure means exposure to a concentration of an airborne contaminant that would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protection.

     End-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) means a system that warns the respirator user of the approach of the end of adequate respiratory protection: For example, that the sorbent is approaching saturation or is no longer effective.

     Escape-only respirator means a respirator intended to be used only for emergency exit.

     Filter or air-purifying element means a component used in respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols from the air when it is breathed.

     Filtering facepiece (dust mask) means a tight-fitting, half-face, negative pressure, particulate respirator ((with a filter as an integral part of the)) having a facepiece ((or with the entire facepiece)) entirely or completely composed of ((the filtering medium)) filter material without attached cartridges or canisters.

     Fit factor means a quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates the ratio between the measured concentration of a substance in ambient air to its concentration inside the respirator when worn.

     Fit test means the use of an accepted protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual (see also Qualitative fit test QLFT and Quantitative fit test QNFT).

     Fog means a mist of sufficient concentration to perceptibly obscure vision.

     Full facepiece means a respirator that covers the wearer's nose, mouth, and eyes.

     Fume means a solid condensation particle of extremely small particle size, generally less than one micrometer in diameter.      See WAC 296-62-07001(2).

     Half facepiece means a respirator that covers the wearer's nose and mouth.

     Helmet means the rigid portion of a respirator that also provides protection against impact or penetration.

     High-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) means a filter that removes from air 99.97% or more of monodisperse dioctyl phthalate (DOP) particles having a mean particle diameter of 0.3 micrometer.

     Hood means the portion of a respirator that completely covers the head and neck; may also cover portions of the shoulders and torso.

     Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) means an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.

     Loose-fitting facepiece means a respiratory inlet covering that is designed to form a partial seal with the face.

     Mist means a liquid condensation particle with sizes ranging from submicroscopic to visible.      See WAC 296-62-07001(4).

     Negative pressure respirator means a tight-fitting respirator in which the air pressure inside the facepiece is lower than the ambient air pressure outside the respirator during inhalation.

     Nonroutine respirator use means wearing a respirator when carrying out a special task that occurs infrequently.

     Odor threshold limit means the lowest concentration of a contaminant in air that can be detected by smell.

     Oxygen deficient atmosphere means an atmosphere with an oxygen content below 19.5% by volume.

     Particulate means a solid or liquid aerosol such as: Dust, fog, fume, mist, smoke, or spray.     

     Permissible exposure limit (PEL) means the legally established time-weighted average (TWA) concentration or ceiling concentration of a contaminant that must not be exceeded.

     Physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) means an individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (for example, license, registration, or certification) allows him or her to independently provide, or be delegated the responsibility to provide, some or all of the health care services required in WAC 296-62-07150 through 296-62-07156.

     Positive-pressure respirator means a respirator in which the air pressure inside the respiratory-inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.

     Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) means an air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.

     Pressure demand respirator means a positive pressure atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation or leakage.

     Qualitative fit test (QLFT) means a pass/fail fit test that relies on the individual's response to the test agent to assess the adequacy of respirator fit for an individual.

     Quantitative fit test (QNFT) means an assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit for an individual by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.

     Respirable      means air that is suitable for breathing.

     Respirator means a device, which may or may not be certified by NIOSH, designed to protect the wearer from breathing harmful atmospheres.

     Respiratory-inlet covering      means that portion of a respirator that forms the protective barrier between the user's respiratory tract and an air-purifying device or breathing air source, or both.      It may be a facepiece, helmet, hood, suit, or mouthpiece respirator with nose clamp.

     Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user.

     Service life means the period of time that a respirator, filter or sorbent, or other respiratory equipment provides adequate protection to the wearer. For example, the period of time that an air-purifying device is effective for removing a harmful substance from air when it is breathed.

     Smoke means a system that includes the products of combustion, pyrolysis, or chemical reaction of substances in the form of visible and invisible solid and liquid particles and gaseous products in air.      Smoke is usually of sufficient concentration to perceptibly obscure vision.

     Sorbent is the material contained in a cartridge or canister that removes gases and vapors from the inhaled air.

     Spray means a liquid, mechanically-produced particle with sizes generally in the visible.

     Supplied-air respirator (SAR) or airline respirator means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is drawn from a separate, stationary system or an uncontaminated environment.

     Tight-fitting facepiece means a respiratory inlet covering that forms a complete seal with the face.

     Time-weighted average (TWA) means the average concentration of a contaminant in air during a specific time period.

     User seal check means an action conducted by the respirator user to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face.

     Valve (air or oxygen) means a device that controls the pressure, direction, or rate of flow of air or oxygen.

     Window indicator means a device on a cartridge or canister that visually denotes the service life of the cartridge or canister.

     You means the employer or the employer's designee except in WAC 296-62-07117(2) "Important Information About Voluntary Use of Respirators" when you refers to the employee.

     Your refers to the employer or the employer's designee except in WAC 296-62-07117(2) "Important Information About Voluntary Use of Respirators" when your refers to the employee.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07105, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.      Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW.      95-04-007, § 296-62-07105, filed 1/18/95, effective 3/1/95; 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-62-07105, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; 93-19-142 (Order 93-04), § 296-62-07105, filed 9/22/93, effective 11/1/93; 91-24-017 (Order 91-07), § 296-62-07105, filed 11/22/91, effective 12/24/91.      RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240.      81-16-016 (Order 81-19), § 296-62-07105, filed 7/27/81.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07117
What must you do when employees choose to wear respirators when respirators are not required?

(1) You may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators, if you determine that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard.

     (2) If you determine that any voluntary respirator use is permissible, you must provide the respirator users with the following information:


Figure 1 Important Information About Voluntary Use of Respirators
Note: "You" and "your" mean the employee in the following information.
Respirators protect against airborne contaminants when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposure to contaminants are below the exposure limit(s), to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to you. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous contaminants (chemical biological) does not exceed the limits set by WISHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you are allowed to provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.
You should do the following:
1. Read and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations.
2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect you.
3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designed to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect you against solvent vapor or smoke (since smoke particles are much smaller than dust particles).
4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else's respirator.


     (3) ((In addition)) No respiratory protection program is required when filtering-facepiece respirators are the only respirator used and they are used voluntarily. When any other type of respirator is used voluntarily, you must establish, implement, and pay for ((those elements of)) a written ((respiratory protection)) program ((necessary to make sure)) that covers:


((Any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator, and that)) Medical evaluations.
((The respirator is cleaned, stored,)) Cleaning, storage and ((maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user)) maintenance related program elements.

((EXCEPTION: You are not required to include in a written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering facepieces (for example, dust masks).))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07117, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240.      81-16-016 (Order 81-19), § 296-62-07117, filed 7/27/81.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07131
What else must you consider when selecting a respirator for use in atmospheres that are not IDLH?

(1) You must provide a respirator that is adequate to protect the health of the employee and ensure compliance with all other WISHA statutory and regulatory requirements for routine, nonroutine, and reasonably foreseeable emergency and rescue situations.

     (2) You must use the assigned protection factors (APFs) in Table 1 when selecting respirators.

Note: The APF values listed in Table 1 do not apply when respirator selection is specified by other applicable standards (e.g., asbestos, lead standards in chapter 296-62 WAC).

Table 1 -- Assigned Protection Factors


Type of Respirator

Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs)

Assigned Protection Factora
Half-facepieceb for:

• Particulate-filter

• Vapor- or gas-removing

• Combination particulate-filter and vapor- or gas-removing

10
Full facepiece for:

• Particulate-filter;

• Vapor- or gas-removing;

• Combination particulate-filter and vapor- or gas-removing


Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

100
Powered air-purifying, loose fitting facepiece 25
Powered air-purifying, half facepiece 50
Powered air-purifying, full facepiece, equipped with HEPA filters or sorbent cartridges or canisters 1000
Powered air-purifying, hood or helmet equipped with HEPA filters or sorbent cartridges or canisters


Supplied-Air (Airline) Respirators

1000
Supplied-air, demand, half facepiece 10
Supplied-air, continuous-flow, loose fitting facepiece 25
Supplied-air, continuous-flow or pressure-demand type, half facepiece 50
Supplied-air, demand, full facepiece 100
Supplied-air, continuous-flow or pressure-demand type, full facepiece 1000
Supplied-air, continuous-flow, helmet or hood


Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs)

1000
Self-contained breathing apparatus, demand-type, half facepieceb 10
Self-contained breathing apparatus, demand-type, full facepiece 100
Self-contained breathing apparatus, pressure-demand type, full facepiece 10,000
Combination respirators. For combination respirators (such as, airline respirators with an air-purifying filter), the type and mode of operation having the lowest respirator protection factor must be applied to the combination respirator not listed.

a An assigned protection factor (APF) is a numeric rating given to respirators, which tells how much protection the respirator can provide. Multiplying the WISHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for a contaminant by the respirator APF gives the maximum concentration of the contaminant for which the respirator can be used. PEL values can be found in chapter 296-62 WAC, Part H.

b If the air contaminant causes eye irritation, the wearer of a respirator equipped with a quarter-mask or half-mask facepiece or mouthpiece and nose clamp must be permitted to use a protective goggle or to use a respirator equipped with a full facepiece. Mouthpiece and nose clamp respirators are approved by NIOSH only for escape from IDLH atmospheres.


     (3) The respirator selected must be appropriate for the chemical state and physical form of the contaminant.

     (4) For protection against gases and vapors, you must provide an atmosphere-supplying respirator or an air-purifying respirator, provided that:

     • The respirator is equipped with an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) certified by NIOSH for the contaminant; or

     • If there is no ESLI appropriate for the conditions in your workplace, you must implement a change schedule for canisters and cartridges that is based on objective information or data that will make sure that canisters and cartridges are changed before the end of their service life. Your respirator program must describe:

The information and data relied upon; and
The basis for the canister and cartridge change schedule; and
The basis for reliance on the data.
     (5) For protection against particulates, you must provide:

     • An atmosphere-supplying respirator; or

     • An air-purifying respirator equipped with a filter certified by NIOSH under 30 CFR Part 11 as a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, or an air-purifying respirator equipped with a filter certified for particulates by NIOSH under 42 CFR Part 84; or

     • An air-purifying respirator equipped with any filter certified for particulates by NIOSH for contaminants consisting primarily of particles with mass median aerodynamic diameters (MMAD) of at least 2 micrometers; or

     • For filters to be changed as required in WAC 296-62-07171(4).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07131, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07150
What are the general requirements for medical evaluations?

Before an employee is fit tested or required to use a respirator in the workplace, you must provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator. Medical evaluations are not required:

     • When the only respirators used are filtering facepiece respirators that are used voluntarily under WAC 296-62-07117; or

     • When the only respirators used are loose fitting escape-only respirators.

     You may rely upon a previous employer's medical evaluation, if you can show that:

     • You have been provided with a copy of the written recommendation as required in WAC 296-62-07155 from the PLHCP approving the employee to use the respirator chosen; and

     • The previous working conditions, which required respirator use as detailed in WAC 296-62-07154(1), are substantially similar to yours.

     ((Exception: If an employee uses no other respirator than an escape-only respirator, medical evaluations are not required. This exception does not apply to respirators with tight-fitting facepieces (such as, gas masks).))

     Steps necessary for completing a medical evaluation:

     • You identify a PLHCP (WAC 296-62-07151);

     • You provide information to the PLHCP (WAC 296-62-07152);

     • PLHCP reviews information and determines what additional questions, if any, to add to Part A of the questionnaire (WAC 296-62-07153(1));

     • You administer the questionnaire confidentially (WAC 296-62-07153(2));

     • PLHCP reviews and evaluates the questionnaire (WAC 296-62-07154);

     • PLHCP completes any follow-up medical evaluations with employees (WAC 296-62-07154);

     • PLHCP completes the written recommendation and sends it to the employee and you (WAC 296-62-07155 (1) and (2));

     • You respond appropriately to written recommendations (WAC 296-62-07155) and maintain records (WAC 296-62-07194);

     • You provide additional medical evaluations when required by your PLHCP (WAC 296-62-07156).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07150, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07155
What must be included in the PLHCP's written recommendation?

(1) In determining the employee's ability to use a respirator, you must obtain a written recommendation regarding the employee's ability to use the respirator from the PLHCP. The recommendation must provide only the following information about the employee:

     • Any limitations on respirator use related to the medical condition of the employee, or relating to the workplace conditions in which the respirator will be used, including whether or not the employee is medically able to use the respirator;

     • The need, if any, for ((follow-up)) periodic future medical evaluations; and

     • A statement that the PLHCP has provided the employee with a copy of the PLHCP's written recommendation.

     (2) You must provide a PAPR, if:

     • The respirator is a negative pressure respirator and the PLHCP finds a medical condition that may place the employee's health at increased risk if the respirator is used;

     • The PLHCP's medical evaluation finds that the employee can use such a respirator. You no longer must provide a PAPR, if a subsequent medical evaluation finds that the employee is medically able to use a negative pressure.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07155, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07156
When are ((additional)) future medical evaluations required?

At a minimum, you must provide ((additional)) future medical evaluations that comply with the requirements in WAC 296-62-07151 through 296-62-07155 if:

     • A PLHCP recommends that an employee be reevaluated at a set interval;

     • An employee reports medical signs or symptoms related to his or her ability to use a respirator;

     • A ((PLHCP,)) supervisor, or the respirator program administrator informs you that an employee needs to be reevaluated;

     • Information from the respiratory protection program, including observations made during fit testing and program evaluation, indicates a need for employee reevaluation; or

     • A change occurs in workplace conditions (for example, physical work effort, protective clothing, temperature) that may result in a substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on an employee.

     You may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07156, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07162
How must fit testing be done?

(1) The fit test must be administered using WISHA-accepted quantitative or qualitative protocol. These protocols are contained in WAC 296-62-07201 through 296-62-07248 (Appendices A-1, A-2 and A-3 of this part).

     (2) Qualitative fit testing may be used to fit test negative pressure air-purifying respirators only when they will be used in atmospheres where the concentration is less than 10 times the PEL. For negative pressure respirator use in ((higher)) concentrations equal to or greater than 10 times the PEL, quantitative fit testing must be used.

     (3) If the fit factor, as determined through WISHA-accepted quantitative fit testing protocol, is equal to or greater than 100 for tight-fitting half facepieces, or equal to or greater than 500 for tight-fitting full facepieces, the employee passed the quantitative fit test for that respirator.

     (4) Fit testing of tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators and tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators must be accomplished by performing quantitative or qualitative fit testing in the negative pressure mode, regardless of the mode of operation (negative or positive pressure) that is used for respiratory protection.

     (a) Qualitative fit testing of these respirators must be accomplished by temporarily converting the respirator user's actual facepiece into a negative pressure respirator with appropriate filters, or by using an identical negative pressure air-purifying respirator facepiece with the same sealing surfaces as a surrogate for the atmosphere-supplying or powered air-purifying respirator facepiece.

     (b) Quantitative fit testing of these respirators must be accomplished by modifying the facepiece to allow sampling inside the facepiece in the breathing zone of the user, midway between the nose and mouth. This requirement must be accomplished by installing a permanent sampling probe onto a surrogate facepiece, or by using a sampling adapter designed to temporarily provide a means of sampling air from inside the facepiece.

     (c) Any modifications to the respirator facepiece for fit testing must be completely removed, and the facepiece restored to NIOSH-approved configuration, before that facepiece can be used in the workplace.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07162, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07190
When must your employees be trained?

(1) You must train employees before they are required to use a respirator in the workplace.

     (2) If you are able to demonstrate that a new employee has received training within the last 12 months that addresses the elements specified in WAC ((296-62-07132)) 296-62-07172 and 296-62-07186, then you are not required to repeat the training provided that the employee can demonstrate knowledge of the element(s) required in WAC 296-62-07188.

     (3) If you do not repeat initial training for an employee, then you must provide retraining no later than 12 months from the date of the employee's previous training.

     (4) Retraining must be completed annually, and when the following situations occur:

     • Changes in the workplace or the type of respirator render previous training obsolete or incomplete;

     • The employee's knowledge or use of the respirator indicates that the employee has not retained the understanding or skill as required in WAC 296-62-07188 above; or

     • Any other situation arises when retraining appears to be necessary to make sure respirators are used safely.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07190, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.]

APPENDICES
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-10-071, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99)

WAC 296-62-07255
Appendix C: WISHA respirator medical evaluation questionnaire -- Mandatory.

This is a mandatory appendix to chapter 296-62 WAC, Part E.


To the employer:


You must not review employee questionnaires.


To the employer's PLHCP:


Answers to questions in Section 1 and question 9 in Section 2 of Part A do not require further medical evaluations.


To the employee:


Your employer must allow you to answer this questionnaire during normal working hours, or at a time and place that is convenient to you. To maintain your confidentiality, your employer or supervisor must not look at or review your answers, and your employer must tell you how to deliver or send this questionnaire to the health care professional who will review it.


Part A. Section 1. Mandatory


The following information must be provided by every employee who has been selected to use any type of respirator (please print).


1. Today's date:                                                  

2. Your name:                                                  

3. Your age (to nearest year):                                   

4. Sex (circle one): Male/Female

5. Your height:                     ft. in.

6. Your weight:                     lbs.

7. Your job title:                                             

8. A phone number where you can be reached by the health care professional who reviews this questionnaire (include the Area Code):                                                  

9. The best time to phone you at this number:               

10. Has your employer told you how to contact the health care professional who will review this questionnaire (circle one): Yes/No

11. Check the type of respirator you will use (you can check more than one category):

a. N, R, or P ((disposable)) filtering facepiece respirator (dust mask style, half facepiece respirators without cartridges).

b. Check all that apply.

Half mask Full facepiece

     mask

Helmet hood Escape
Nonpowered cartridge or canister
Powered air-purifying cartridge respirator (PAPR)
Supplied-air or Air-line
(( Disposable filtering facepiece (for example N-95)))
Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA):

Demand or

Pressure demand

Other:                                                            
12. Have you worn a respirator (circle one): Yes/No

If "yes," what type(s):                                        

                                                                


Part A. Section 2. Mandatory


Questions 1 through 9 below must be answered by every employee who has been selected to use any type of respirator (please circle "yes" or "no").


1. Do you currently smoke tobacco, or have you smoked tobacco in the last month: Yes/No


2. Have you ever had any of the following conditions?

a. Seizures (fits): Yes/No

b. Diabetes (sugar disease): Yes/No

c. Allergic reactions that interfere with your breathing: Yes/No

d. Claustrophobia (fear of closed-in places): Yes/No

e. Trouble smelling odors: Yes/No


3. Have you ever had any of the following pulmonary or lung problems?

a. Asbestosis: Yes/No

b. Asthma: Yes/No

c. Chronic bronchitis: Yes/No

d. Emphysema: Yes/No

e. Pneumonia: Yes/No

f. Tuberculosis: Yes/No

g. Silicosis: Yes/No

h. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung): Yes/No

i. Lung cancer: Yes/No

j. Broken ribs: Yes/No

k. Any chest injuries or surgeries: Yes/No

l. Any other lung problem that you've been told about: Yes/No


4. Do you currently have any of the following symptoms of pulmonary or lung illness?

a. Shortness of breath: Yes/No

b. Shortness of breath when walking fast on level ground or walking up a slight hill or incline: Yes/No

c. Shortness of breath when walking with other people at an ordinary pace on level ground: Yes/No

d. Have to stop for breath when walking at your own pace on level ground: Yes/No

e. Shortness of breath when washing or dressing yourself: Yes/No

f. Shortness of breath that interferes with your job: Yes/No

g. Coughing that produces phlegm (thick sputum): Yes/No

h. Coughing that wakes you early in the morning: Yes/No

i. Coughing that occurs mostly when you are lying down: Yes/No

j. Coughing up blood in the last month: Yes/No

k. Wheezing: Yes/No

l. Wheezing that interferes with your job: Yes/No

m. Chest pain when you breathe deeply: Yes/No

n. Any other symptoms that you think may be related to lung problems: Yes/No


5. Have you ever had any of the following cardiovascular or heart problems?

a. Heart attack: Yes/No

b. Stroke: Yes/No

c. Angina: Yes/No

d. Heart failure: Yes/No

e. Swelling in your legs or feet (not caused by walking): Yes/No

f. Heart arrhythmia (heart beating irregularly): Yes/No

g. High blood pressure: Yes/No

h. Any other heart problem that you've been told about: Yes/No


6. Have you ever had any of the following cardiovascular or heart symptoms?

a. Frequent pain or tightness in your chest: Yes/No

b. Pain or tightness in your chest during physical activity: Yes/No

c. Pain or tightness in your chest that interferes with your job: Yes/No

d. In the past two years, have you noticed your heart skipping or missing a beat: Yes/No

e. Heartburn or indigestion that is not related to eating: Yes/No

f. Any other symptoms that you think may be related to heart or circulation problems: Yes/No


7. Do you currently take medication for any of the following problems?

a. Breathing or lung problems: Yes/No

b. Heart trouble: Yes/No

c. Blood pressure: Yes/No

d. Seizures (fits): Yes/No


8. If you've used a respirator, have you ever had any of the following problems? (If you've never used a respirator, check the following space and go to question 9:)

a. Eye irritation: Yes/No

b. Skin allergies or rashes: Yes/No

c. Anxiety: Yes/No

d. General weakness or fatigue: Yes/No

e. Any other problem that interferes with your use of a respirator: Yes/No


9. Would you like to talk to the health care professional who will review this questionnaire about your answers to this questionnaire: Yes/No


Part A. Section 3. Mandatory for SCBA or Full Facepiece Respirator Users


Questions 10 to 15 below must be answered by every employee who has been selected to use either a full-facepiece respirator or a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). For employees who have been selected to use other types of respirators, answering these questions is voluntary.


10. Have you ever lost vision in either eye (temporarily or permanently): Yes/No


11. Do you currently have any of the following vision problems?

a. Wear contact lenses: Yes/No

b. Wear glasses: Yes/No

c. Color blind: Yes/No

d. Any other eye or vision problem: Yes/No


12. Have you ever had an injury to your ears, including a broken ear drum: Yes/No


13. Do you currently have any of the following hearing problems?

a. Difficulty hearing: Yes/No

b. Wear a hearing aid: Yes/No

c. Any other hearing or ear problem: Yes/No


14. Have you ever had a back injury: Yes/No


15. Do you currently have any of the following musculoskeletal problems?

a. Weakness in any of your arms, hands, legs, or feet: Yes/No

b. Back pain: Yes/No

c. Difficulty fully moving your arms and legs: Yes/No

d. Pain or stiffness when you lean forward or backward at the waist: Yes/No

e. Difficulty fully moving your head up or down: Yes/No

f. Difficulty fully moving your head side to side: Yes/No

g. Difficulty bending at your knees: Yes/No

h. Difficulty squatting to the ground: Yes/No

i. Climbing a flight of stairs or a ladder carrying more than 25 lbs: Yes/No

j. Any other muscle or skeletal problem that interferes with using a respirator: Yes/No


Part B: PLHCP Discretionary Questions


If appropriate to specific job requirements or conditions, additional questions - including but not limited to the following - may be added at the discretion of the health care professional to clarify an employee's ability to use a respirator.


1. In your present job, are you working at high altitudes (over 5,000 feet) or in a place that has lower than normal amounts of oxygen: Yes/No


If "yes," do you have feelings of dizziness, shortness of breath, pounding in your chest, or other symptoms when you're working under these conditions: Yes/No


2. At work or at home, have you ever been exposed to hazardous solvents, hazardous airborne chemicals (for example, gases, fumes, or dust), or have you come into skin contact with hazardous chemicals: Yes/No


If "yes," name the chemicals if you know them:          

                                                                

                                                                


3. Have you ever worked with any of the materials, or under any of the conditions, listed below:


a. Asbestos: Yes/No

b. Silica (for example, in sandblasting): Yes/No

c. Tungsten/cobalt (for example, grinding or welding this material): Yes/No

d. Beryllium: Yes/No

e. Aluminum: Yes/No

f. Coal (for example, mining): Yes/No

g. Iron: Yes/No

h. Tin: Yes/No

i. Dusty environments: Yes/No

j. Any other hazardous exposures: Yes/No


If "yes," describe these exposures:                         

                                                                

                                                                


4. List any second jobs or side businesses you have:

                                                                

                                                                


5. List your previous occupations:                         

                                                                

                                                                


6. List your current and previous hobbies:                    

                                                                

                                                                


7. Have you been in the military services? Yes/No


If "yes," were you exposed to biological or chemical agents (either in training or combat): Yes/No


8. Have you ever worked on a HAZMAT team? Yes/No


9. Other than medications for breathing and lung problems, heart trouble, blood pressure, and seizures mentioned earlier in this questionnaire, are you taking any other medications for any reason (including over-the-counter medications): Yes/No


If "yes," name the medications if you know them:          

                                                                


10. Will you be using any of the following items with your respirator(s)?


a. HEPA Filters: Yes/No

b. Canisters (for example, gas masks): Yes/No

c. Cartridges: Yes/No


11. How often are you expected to use the respirator(s) (circle "yes" or "no" for all answers that apply to you)?:


a. Escape only (no rescue): Yes/No

b. Emergency rescue only: Yes/No

c. Less than 5 hours per week: Yes/No

d. Less than 2 hours per day: Yes/No

e. 2 to 4 hours per day: Yes/No

f. Over 4 hours per day: Yes/No


12. During the period you are using the respirator(s), is your work effort:


a. Light (less than 200 kcal per hour): Yes/No


If "yes," how long does this period last during the average shift:               hrs.                    mins.


Examples of a light work effort are sitting while writing, typing, drafting, or performing light assembly work; or standing while operating a drill press (1-3 lbs.) or controlling machines.


b. Moderate (200 to 350 kcal per hour): Yes/No


If "yes," how long does this period last during the average shift:               hrs.                    mins.


Examples of moderate work effort are sitting while nailing or filing; driving a truck or bus in urban traffic; standing while drilling, nailing, performing assembly work, or transferring a moderate load (about 35 lbs.) at trunk level; walking on a level surface about 2 mph or down a 5-degree grade about 3 mph; or pushing a wheelbarrow with a heavy load (about 100 lbs.) on a level surface.


c. Heavy (above 350 kcal per hour): Yes/No


If "yes," how long does this period last during the average shift:               hrs.                    mins.


Examples of heavy work are lifting a heavy load (about 50 lbs.) from the floor to your waist or shoulder; working on a loading dock; shoveling; standing while bricklaying or chipping castings; walking up an 8-degree grade about 2 mph; climbing stairs with a heavy load (about 50 lbs.).


13. Will you be wearing protective clothing and/or equipment (other than the respirator) when you're using your respirator: Yes/No

If "yes," describe this protective clothing and/or equipment:

                                                                

                                                                


14. Will you be working under hot conditions (temperature exceeding 77°F): Yes/No


15. Will you be working under humid conditions: Yes/No


16. Describe the work you'll be doing while you're using your respirator(s):

                                                                

                                                                


17. Describe any special or hazardous conditions you might encounter when you're using your respirator(s) (for example, confined spaces, life-threatening gases):

                                                                

                                                                


18. Provide the following information, if you know it, for each toxic substance that you'll be exposed to when you're using your respirator(s):


Name of the first toxic substance:                              

Estimated maximum exposure level per shift:               

Duration of exposure per shift                                  


Name of the second toxic substance:                         

Estimated maximum exposure level per shift:               

Duration of exposure per shift:                              


Name of the third toxic substance:                              

Estimated maximum exposure level per shift:               

Duration of exposure per shift:                              


The name of any other toxic substances that you'll be exposed to while using your respirator:

                                                                

                                                                


19. Describe any special responsibilities you'll have while using your respirator(s) that may affect the safety and well-being of others (for example, rescue, security):               

                                                                

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.      99-10-071, § 296-62-07255, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99.]

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