(1) You must provide training at no cost to each employee involved in permit-required confined space activities. The training must be in a language and vocabulary they understand, so they acquire the understanding, knowledge and skills necessary to safely1 perform assigned duties.
(a) Establish employee proficiency in their confined space duties2.
(b) Introduce new or revised procedures as necessary.
(2) You must provide training to each affected employee;
(a) Before an employee is first assigned to duties covered by this chapter.
(b) Before there is a change in an employee's assigned duties.
(c) When there is a permit-required confined space hazard for which the employee has not already been trained.
(d) Retrain your employees if there are either:
(i) Deviations from your procedures for permit-required confined space entry; or
(ii) Employee knowledge or use of your procedures is inadequate.
Notes: | 1 Training topics include, but are not limited to: |
| • Roles and responsibilities; |
| • Hazards of the permit space; |
| • Procedures from your program created to protect employees, such as methods used to isolate and control hazards, equipment use, equipment maintenance and evacuation; |
| • For individuals not authorized to perform rescue, the dangers of attempting unauthorized rescue. |
| 2 Employers can determine employee proficiency by: |
| • Systematically observing employee performance using safe work procedures and equipment to perform specific job tasks during training exercises that simulate actual confined space conditions; |
| • A comprehensive written exam; or |
| • Any other method that is effective for the employer. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050,
49.17.060 and chapter
49.17 RCW. WSR 18-02-071, § 296-809-40002, filed 1/2/18, effective 2/5/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050,
49.17.060. WSR 15-24-102, § 296-809-40002, filed 12/1/15, effective 1/5/16; WSR 04-03-081, § 296-809-40002, filed 1/20/04, effective 5/1/04.]