PDFWAC 296-840-150

Communication of respirable crystalline silica hazards to employees.

(1) Regarding hazard communication you must:
(a) Include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with chapter 296-901 WAC, Globally harmonized system for hazard communication.
(b) Ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of crystalline silica and safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with WAC 296-901-14016 and subsection (3) of this section. The employer shall ensure that at least the following hazards are addressed: Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects.
(2) Signs. Where a regulated area is established you must post signs at all entrances to the regulated areas that bear the following legend:
DANGER
RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS
WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
(3) Regarding employee information and training, you must ensure that each employee covered by this chapter can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following:
(a) The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica;
(b) Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica;
(c) Specific measures you have implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators to be used;
(d) The contents of this chapter;
(e) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by WAC 296-840-145, and notice that the medical surveillance program under this chapter is not intended to reduce a worker's legal rights under Title 51 RCW;
(f) The identity of the competent person designated by the employer in accordance with WAC 296-840-140 (4)(b).
(4) You must make a copy of this chapter readily available without cost to each employee covered by this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 18-07-098, § 296-840-150, filed 3/20/18, effective 4/23/18.]