This part applies to all use of respirators at work.

IMPORTANT:

Before the employer decides to use respirators, the employer is required to evaluate respiratory hazards and implement control methods as outlined in WAC 296-307-624 through 296-307-628, Respiratory hazards.

The term "respiratory hazards" will be used throughout this part to refer to oxygen deficient conditions and harmful airborne hazards.

Definition:

Respirators. A type of personal protective equipment designed to protect the wearer from respiratory hazards.

The employer can use Table 1 for general guidance on which sections apply.

Table 1

Sections That Apply to the Employer's Workplace

If employees...	Then the sections marked with an "X" apply...
If employees...	596	598	600	602-618	620	622
Request and are permitted to voluntarily use filtering-facepiece respirators, and are not exposed to a respiratory hazard		X				X
Request and are permitted to voluntarily use respirators that are NOT filtering-facepiece respirators, and are not exposed to a respiratory hazard	X	X			X	X
Are required to use any respirator by WISHA or the employer	X		X	X	X	X
Would use an escape respirator in an emergency	X		X	X	X	X

Reference:

See WAC 296-307-100, Personal protective equipment (PPE) to find requirements for other types of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as eye, hand, and head protection.

PDFWAC 296-307-594

Scope.