Note:	• Only properly trained employees should select PPE. Hazardous materials technicians and hazardous materials specialists can select PPE within the competencies specified in Table 4.
	• Selection requirements in other PPE rules also apply, including:
	– Chapter 296-307 WAC, Part Y-5, Respirators.
	– Chapter 296-305 WAC, Safety standards for firefighting.

You must:

• Provide employees with appropriate PPE and make sure it is used if hazards could be present.

• Select PPE (such as respirators, gloves, protective suits and other PPE) based on:

– An evaluation of the performance characteristics (such as breakthrough time and hazardous substance-specificity of the material or item) relevant to the requirements and limitations of the site.

– Task-specific conditions and durations.

– The hazards and potential hazards of the site (see Table 9, Selecting PPE for Specific Hazards).

• Select totally encapsulating chemical protective (TECP) suits, as specified in Table 9, that:

– Maintain positive air pressure.

– Prevent inward test gas leakage of more than 0.5 percent.

Note:

Follow the manufacturer's recommended procedure for testing a TECP suit's ability to maintain positive air pressure and prevent inward gas leakage. Other established test protocols for these suits, for example NFPA 1991 and ASTM F1052-97, may also be used.

Table 9 Selecting PPE for Specific Hazards
If:	Then use:
• Inhalation hazards could be present.	• Positive-pressure (pressure-demand) self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or • A decreased level of respiratory protection only when the incident commander determines, from air monitoring results, that employees will be adequately protected.
Chemical exposure levels will create a substantial possibility of: • Immediate death. • Immediate serious illness or injury. • Reduced ability to escape.	Either positive-pressure (pressure-demand): • SCBA • Air-line respirators equipped with an escape air supply.
Skin absorption of a hazardous substance may result in a substantial possibility of: • Immediate death. • Immediate serious illness or injury. • Reduced ability to escape.	Protection equivalent to Level A including a totally encapsulating chemical protective (TECP) suit.

PDFWAC 296-307-70460

Personal protective equipment.