(1) Application. This section must apply to any equipment using electrostatically charged elements for the atomization and/or, precipitation of materials for coatings on articles, or for other similar purposes in which the atomizing device is hand held and manipulated during the spraying operation.

(2) Conformance. Electrostatic hand spraying equipment must conform with the other provisions of WAC 296-24-370 through 296-24-37027.

(3) Equipment approval and specifications. Electrostatic hand spray apparatus and devices used in connection with coating operations must be of approved types. The equipment should be so designed that the maximum surface temperature of the equipment in the spraying area must not exceed 150°F under any condition. The high voltage circuits must be designed so as to not produce a spark of sufficient intensity to ignite any vapor-air mixtures nor result in appreciable shock hazard upon coming in contact with a grounded object under all normal operating conditions. The electrostatically charged exposed elements of the handgun must be capable of being energized only by a switch which also controls the coating material supply.

(4) Electrical support equipment. You must locate transformers, powerpacks, control apparatus, and all other electrical portions of the equipment, with the exception of the handgun itself and its connections to the powder supply outside of the spraying area or they must otherwise conform to the requirements of WAC 296-24-37005.

(5) Spray gun ground. You must electrically connect the handle of the spraying gun to ground by a metallic connection and to be so constructed that the operator in normal operating position is in intimate electrical contact with the grounded handle.

(6) Grounding—General. You must adequately ground all electrically conductive objects in the spraying area. This requirement must apply to paint containers, wash cans, and any other objects or devices in the area. The equipment must carry a prominent permanently installed warning regarding the necessity for this grounding feature.

(7) Maintenance of grounds. You must maintain objects being painted or coated in metallic contact with the conveyor or other grounded support. You must regularly clean hooks to ensure this contact and areas of contact must be sharp points or knife edges where possible. You must conceal points of support of the object from random spray where feasible and where the objects being sprayed are supported from a conveyor, you must locate the point of attachment to the conveyor so as to not collect spray material during normal operation.

(8) Interlocks. The electrical equipment must be so interlocked with the ventilation of the spraying area that the equipment cannot be operated unless the ventilation fans are in operation.

(9) Ventilation. The spraying operation must take place within a spray area which is adequately ventilated to remove solvent vapors released from the operation.