PERMANENT RULES
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Purpose: This rule making made changes to chapter 296-841 WAC, Respiratory hazards and chapter 296-842 WAC, Respirators and updated references to respiratory hazards and respirators throughout the WISHA safety and health rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 296-24-58513 Protective clothing, 296-24-58515 Respiratory protection devices, 296-24-58517 Appendix A -- Fire brigades, 296-24-67515 Personal protective equipment, 296-24-67517 Air supply and air compressors, 296-24-71515 Beryllium, 296-24-71519 Mercury, 296-54-51150 Respiratory protection, 296-56-60001 Scope and application, 296-56-60005 Definitions, 296-56-60053 Hazardous atmospheres and substances, 296-56-60057 Fumigants, pesticides, insecticides and hazardous preservatives (see also WAC 296-56-60049, 296-56-60051, and 296-56-60053), 296-56-60107 Terminal facilities handling menhaden and similar species of fish, 296-56-60110 Respiratory protection, 296-56-60235 Welding, cutting and heating (hot work) (see also definition of "hazardous cargo, material, substance or atmosphere"), 296-62-07306 Requirements for areas containing carcinogens listed in WAC 296-62-07302, 296-62-07329 Vinyl chloride, 296-62-07336 Acrylonitrile, 296-62-07342 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane, 296-62-07367 Respiratory protection and personal protective equipment, 296-62-07413 Respirator protection, 296-62-07460 Butadiene, 296-62-07521 Lead, 296-62-07615 Respiratory protection, 296-62-07722 Employee information and training, 296-62-14533 Cotton dust, 296-62-20011 Respiratory protection, 296-62-20019 Employee information and training, 296-62-3060 Engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment for employee protection, 296-62-3195 Appendix E -- Training curriculum guidelines, 296-62-40001 Scope and application, 296-62-40007 Employee exposure determination, 296-78-665 Sanding machines, 296-78-71015 Tanks and chemicals, 296-78-71019 Exhaust systems, 296-78-84005 Dry kilns, 296-79-29007 Bleach plant, 296-155-160 Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists, 296-155-17317 Respiratory protection, 296-155-174 Cadmium, 296-155-17613 Respiratory protection, 296-155-17625 Employee information and training, 296-155-17652 Appendix B to WAC 296-155-176 Employee standard summary, 296-155-20301 Definitions, 296-155-220 Respiratory protection, 296-155-367 Masonry saws, 296-155-525 Cranes and derricks, 296-155-655 General protection requirements, 296-155-730 Tunnels and shafts, 296-301-220 Personal protective equipment, 296-304-02003 Precautions and the order of testing before entering confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres, 296-304-03001 Toxic cleaning solvents, 296-304-03005 Mechanical paint removers, 296-304-03007 Painting, 296-304-04001 Ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and heating, 296-304-09007 Respiratory protection, 296-305-02501 Emergency medical protection, 296-305-04001 Respiratory equipment protection, 296-305-05503 Summary of training requirements, 296-800-160 Summary, 296-824-20005 Develop an emergency response plan, 296-824-40005 Provide medical surveillance to employees, 296-824-60005 Personal protective equipment, 296-824-70005 Follow the appropriate post emergency response requirements, 296-824-800 Definitions, 296-835-11045 Protect employees during welding, burning, or other work using open flames, 296-839-30005 Develop or obtain material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and 296-839-500 Definitions.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 04-20-080 on October 5, 2004.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 68, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 68, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: January 18, 2005.
Paul Trause
Director
OTS-7243.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-11-038, filed 5/9/01,
effective 9/1/01)
WAC 296-24-58513
Protective clothing.
The following
requirements apply to those employees who perform interior
structural fire fighting. The requirements do not apply to
employees who use fire extinguishers or standpipe systems to
control or extinguish fires only in the incipient stage.
(1) General.
(a) The employer shall provide at no cost to the employee and assure the use of protective clothing which complies with the requirements of this section. The employer shall assure that protective clothing ordered or purchased after January 1, 1982, meets the requirements contained in this section. As the new equipment is provided, the employer shall assure that all fire brigade members wear the equipment when performing interior structural fire fighting. After July 1, 1985, the employer shall assure that all fire brigade members wear protective clothing meeting the requirements of this section when performing interior structural fire fighting.
(b) The employer shall assure that protective clothing protects the head, body, and extremities, and consists of at least the following components: Foot and leg protection; hand protection; body protection; eye, face and head protection.
(2) Foot and leg protection.
(a) Foot and leg protection shall meet the requirements of (b) and (c) of this subsection, and may be achieved by either of the following methods:
(i) Fully extended boots which provide protection for the legs; or
(ii) Protective shoes or boots worn in combination with protective trousers that meet the requirements of subsection (3) of this section.
(b) Protective footwear shall meet the requirements of WAC 296-800-160 for Class 75 footwear. In addition, protective footwear shall be water-resistant for at least five inches (12.7 cm) above the bottom of the heel and shall be equipped with slip-resistant outer soles.
(c) Protective footwear shall be tested in accordance with WAC 296-24-63599(1) Appendix E, and shall provide protection against penetration of the midsole by a size 8D common nail when at least 300 pounds (1330 N) of static force is applied to the nail.
(3) Body protection.
(a) Body protection shall be coordinated with foot and leg protection to ensure full body protection for the wearer. This shall be achieved by one of the following methods:
(i) Wearing of a fire-resistive coat meeting the requirements of (b) of this subsection, in combination with fully extended boots meeting the requirements of subsection (2)(b) and (c) of this section; or
(ii) Wearing of fire-resistive coat in combination with protective trousers both of which meet the requirements of (b) of this subsection.
(b) The performance, construction, and testing of fire-resistive coats and protective trousers shall be at least equivalent to the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard NFPA No. 1971-1975, "Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting," (see WAC 296-24-63499, Appendix D) with the following permissible variations from those requirements:
(i) Tearing strength of the outer shell shall be a minimum of eight pounds (35.6 N) in any direction when tested in accordance with WAC 296-24-63599(2), Appendix E; and
(ii) The outer shell may discolor but shall not separate or melt when placed in a forced air laboratory oven at a temperature of 500°F (260°C) for a period of five minutes. After cooling to ambient temperature and using the test method specified in WAC 296-24-63599(3) Appendix E, char length shall not exceed 4.0 inches (10.2 cm) and after-flame shall not exceed 2.0 seconds.
(4) Hand protection.
(a) Hand protection shall consist of protective gloves or glove system which will provide protection against cut, puncture, and heat penetration. Gloves or glove system shall be tested in accordance with the test methods contained in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 1976 publication, "The Development of Criteria for Fire Fighter's Gloves; Vol. II, Part II: Test Methods," (see WAC 296-24-63499, Appendix D -- Availability of publications incorporated by references in WAC 296-24-58505 -- Fire brigades) and shall meet the following criteria for cut, puncture, and heat penetration:
(i) Materials used for gloves shall resist surface cut by a blade with an edge having a 60 degree included angle and a.001 inch (.0025 cm.) radius, under an applied force of 16 lbf (72N) and at a slicing velocity of greater or equal to 60 in/min. (2.5 cm/sec);
(ii) Materials used for the palm and palm side of the fingers shall resist puncture by a penetrometer (simulating a 4d lath nail), under an applied force of 13.2 lbf (60N) and at a velocity greater or equal to 20 in/min. (.85 cm/sec); and
(iii) The temperature inside the palm and gripping surface of the fingers of gloves shall not exceed 135°F (57°C) when gloves or glove system are exposed to 932°F (500°C) for five seconds at 4 psi (28 kPa) pressure.
(b) Exterior materials of gloves shall be flame resistant and shall be tested in accordance with WAC 296-24-63599(3) Appendix E. Maximum allowable after-flame shall be 2.0 seconds, and the maximum char length shall be 4.0 inches (10.2 cm).
(c) When design of the fire-resistive coat does not otherwise provide protection for the wrists, protective gloves shall have wristlets of at least 4.0 inches (10.2 cm) in length to protect the wrist area when the arms are extended upward and outward from the body.
(5) Head, eye and face protection.
(a) Head protection shall consist of a protective head device with ear flaps and chin strap which meet the performance, construction, and testing requirements of the National Fire Safety and Research Office of the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, United States Department of Commerce (now known as the United States Fire Administration), which are contained in, "Model Performance Criteria for Structural Fire Fighters' Helmets," (August 1977) (see WAC 296-24-63499, Appendix D).
(b) Protective eye and face devices which comply with WAC 296-800-160 shall be used by fire brigade members when performing operations where the hazards of flying or falling materials which may cause eye and face injuries are present. Protective eye and face devices provided as accessories to protective head devices (face shields) are permitted when such devices meet the requirements of WAC 296-800-160.
(c) Full facepieces, helmets, or hoods of breathing
apparatus which meet the requirements of chapter ((296-62 WAC,
Part E)) 296-842 WAC and WAC 296-24-58515, shall be acceptable
as meeting the eye and face protection requirements of (b) of
this subsection.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 01-11-038, § 296-24-58513, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-10-071, § 296-24-58513, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-58513, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; 92-23-017 (Order 92-13), § 296-24-58513, filed 11/10/92, effective 12/18/92; 90-03-029 (Order 89-20), § 296-24-58513, filed 1/11/90, effective 2/26/90; 88-14-108 (Order 88-11), § 296-24-58513, filed 7/6/88; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), § 296-24-58513, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order 81-32), § 296-24-58513, filed 12/24/81.]
(a) The employer shall ensure that respirators are
provided to, and used by, fire brigade members, and that the
respirators meet the requirements of chapter ((296-62 WAC,
Part E)) 296-842 WAC and this section.
(b) The employer must ensure that all employees engaged in interior structural fire fighting use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs).
(c) Approved self-contained breathing apparatus may be equipped with either a "buddy-breathing" device or a quick disconnect valve, even if these devices are not certified by NIOSH. If these accessories are used, they shall not cause damage to the apparatus, or restrict the air flow of the apparatus, or obstruct the normal operation of the apparatus.
(d) Approved self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus may be used with approved cylinders from other approved self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus provided that such cylinders are of the same capacity and pressure rating. All compressed air cylinders used with self-contained breathing apparatus shall meet DOT and NIOSH criteria.
(e) Self-contained breathing apparatus shall have a minimum service life rating of 30 minutes in accordance with the methods and requirements specified by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84, except for escape self-contained breathing apparatus (ESCBA) used only for emergency escape purposes.
(f) Self-contained breathing apparatus shall be provided with an indicator which automatically sounds an audible alarm when the remaining service life of the apparatus is reduced to within a range of twenty to twenty-five percent of its rated service time.
(2) Positive-pressure breathing apparatus.
(a) The employer shall assure that self-contained breathing apparatus ordered or purchased after January 1, 1982, for use by fire brigade members performing interior structural fire fighting operations, are of the pressure-demand or other positive-pressure type. Effective July 1, 1983, only pressure-demand or other positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus shall be worn by fire brigade members performing interior structural fire fighting.
(b) This section does not prohibit the use of a self-contained breathing apparatus where the apparatus can be switched from a demand to a positive-pressure mode. However, such apparatus shall be in the positive-pressure mode when fire brigade members are performing interior structural fire fighting operations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-10-071, § 296-24-58515, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-58515, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order 81-32), § 296-24-58515, filed 12/24/81.]
(2) Prefire planning. It is suggested that prefire planning be conducted by the local fire department and/or the workplace fire brigade in order for them to be familiar with the workplace and process hazards. Involvement with the local fire department or fire prevention bureau is encouraged to facilitate coordination and cooperation between members of the fire brigade and those who might be called upon for assistance during a fire emergency.
(3) Organizational statement. In addition to the information required in the organizational statement, WAC 296-24-58507(1), it is suggested that the organizational statement also contain the following information: A description of the duties that the fire brigade members are expected to perform; the line authority of each fire brigade officer; the number of the fire brigade officers and number of training instructors; and a list and description of the types of awards or recognition that brigade members may be eligible to receive.
(4) Physical capability. The physical capability requirement applies only to those fire brigade members who perform interior structural fire fighting. Employees who cannot meet the physical capability requirement may still be members of the fire brigade as long as such employees do not perform interior structural fire fighting. It is suggested that fire brigade members who are unable to perform interior structural fire fighting be assigned less stressful and physically demanding fire brigade duties, e.g., certain types of training, recordkeeping, fire prevention inspection and maintenance, and fire pump operations.
Physically capable can be defined as being able to perform those duties specified in the training requirements of WAC 296-24-58509. Physically capable can also be determined by physical performance tests or by a physical examination when the examining physician is aware of the duties that the fire brigade member is expected to perform.
It is also recommended that fire brigade members participate in a physical fitness program. There are many benefits which can be attributed to being physically fit. It is believed that physical fitness may help to reduce the number of sprain and strain injuries as well as contributing to the improvement of the cardiovascular system.
(5) Training and education. The section on training and education does not contain specific training and education requirements because the type, amount, and frequency of training and education will be as varied as are the purposes for which fire brigades are organized. However, the section does require that training and education be commensurate with those functions that the fire brigade is expected to perform; i.e., those functions specified in the organizational statement. Such a performance requirement provides the necessary flexibility to design a training program which meets the needs of individual fire brigades.
At a minimum, hands-on training is required to be conducted annually for all fire brigade members. However, for those fire brigade members who are expected to perform interior structural fire fighting, some type of training or education session must be provided at least quarterly.
In addition to the required hands-on training, it is strongly recommended that fire brigade members receive other types of training and education such as: Classroom instruction, review of emergency action procedures, prefire planning, review of special hazards in the workplace, and practice in the use of self-contained breathing apparatus.
It is not necessary for the employer to duplicate the same training or education that a fire brigade member receives as a member of a community volunteer fire department, rescue squad, or similar organization. However, such training or education must have been provided to the fire brigade member within the past year and it must be documented that the fire brigade member has received the training or education. For example: There is no need for a fire brigade member to receive another training class in the use of positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus if the fire brigade member has recently completed such training as a member of a community fire department. Instead, the fire brigade member should receive training or education covering other important equipment or duties of the fire brigade as they relate to the workplace hazards, facilities and processes.
It is generally recognized that the effectiveness of fire brigade training and education depends upon the expertise of those providing the training and education as well as the motivation of the fire brigade members. Fire brigade training instructors must receive a higher level of training and education than the fire brigade members they will be teaching. This includes being more knowledgeable about the functions to be performed by the fire brigade and the hazards involved. The instructors should be qualified to train fire brigade members and demonstrate skills in communication, methods of teaching, and motivation. It is important for instructors and fire brigade members alike to be motivated toward the goal of the fire brigade and be aware of the importance of the service that they are providing for the protection of other employees and the workplace.
It is suggested that publications from the International Fire Service Training Association, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA-1041), the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and other fire training sources be consulted for recommended qualifications of fire brigade training instructors.
In order to be effective, fire brigades must have competent leadership and supervision. It is important for those who supervise the fire brigade during emergency situations, e.g., fire brigade chiefs, leaders, etc., to receive the necessary training and education for supervising fire brigade activities during these hazardous and stressful situations. These fire brigade members with leadership responsibilities should demonstrate skills in strategy and tactics, fire suppression and prevention techniques, leadership principles, prefire planning, and safety practices. It is again suggested that fire service training sources be consulted for determining the kinds of training and education which are necessary for those with fire brigade leadership responsibilities.
It is further suggested that fire brigade leaders and fire brigade instructors receive more formalized training and education on a continuing basis by attending classes provided by such training sources as universities and university fire extension services.
The following recommendations should not be considered to be all of the necessary elements of a complete comprehensive training program, but the information may be helpful as a guide in developing a fire brigade training program.
All fire brigade members should be familiar with exit facilities and their location, emergency escape routes for handicapped workers, and the workplace "emergency action plan."
In addition, fire brigade members who are expected to control and extinguish fires in the incipient stage should, at a minimum, be trained in the use of fire extinguishers, standpipes, and other fire equipment they are assigned to use. They should also be aware of first aid medical procedures and procedures for dealing with special hazards to which they may be exposed. Training and education should include both classroom instruction and actual operation of the equipment under simulated emergency conditions. Hands-on type training must be conducted at least annually but some functions should be reviewed more often.
In addition to the above training, fire brigade members who are expected to perform emergency rescue and interior structural fire fighting should, at a minimum, be familiar with the proper techniques in rescue and fire suppression procedures. Training and education should include fire protection courses, classroom training, simulated fire situations including "wet drills" and, when feasible, extinguishment of actual mock fires. Frequency of training or education must be at least quarterly, but some drills or classroom training should be conducted as often as monthly or even weekly to maintain the proficiency of fire brigade members.
There are many excellent sources of training and education that the employer may want to use in developing a training program for the workplace fire brigade. These sources include publications, seminars, and courses offered by universities.
There are also excellent fire school courses by such facilities as Texas A and M University, Delaware State Fire School, Lamar University, and Reno Fire School, that deal with those unique hazards which may be encountered by fire brigades in the oil and chemical industry. These schools, and others, also offer excellent training courses which would be beneficial to fire brigades in other types of industries. These courses should be a continuing part of the training program, and employers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these excellent resources.
It is also important that fire brigade members be informed about special hazards to which they may be exposed during fire and other emergencies. Such hazards as storage and use areas of flammable liquids and gases, toxic chemicals, water-reactive substances, etc., can pose difficult problems. There must be written procedures developed that describe the actions to be taken in situations involving special hazards. Fire brigade members must be trained in handling these special hazards as well as keeping abreast of any changes that occur in relation to these special hazards.
(6) Fire fighting equipment. It is important that fire fighting equipment that is in damaged or unserviceable condition be removed from service and replaced. This will prevent fire brigade members from using unsafe equipment by mistake.
Fire fighting equipment, except portable fire extinguishers and respirators, must be inspected at least annually. Portable fire extinguishers and respirators are required to be inspected at least monthly.
(7) Protective clothing.
(a) General. WAC 296-24-58513 does not require all fire brigade members to wear protective clothing. It is not the intention of these standards to require employers to provide a full ensemble of protective clothing for every fire brigade member without consideration given to the types of hazardous environments to which the fire brigade member might be exposed. It is the intention of these standards to require adequate protection for those fire brigade members who might be exposed to fires in an advanced stage, smoke, toxic gases, and high temperatures. Therefore, the protective clothing requirements only apply to those fire brigade members who perform interior structural fire fighting operations.
Additionally, the protective clothing requirements do not apply to the protective clothing worn during outside fire fighting operations (brush and forest fires, crash crew operations) or other special fire fighting activities. It is important that the protective clothing to be worn during these types of fire fighting operations reflect the hazards which are expected to be encountered by fire brigade members.
(b) Foot and leg protection. WAC 296-24-58513 permits an option to achieve foot and leg protection.
The section recognizes the interdependence of protective clothing to cover one or more parts of the body. Therefore, an option is given so that fire brigade members may meet the foot and leg requirements by either wearing long fire-resistive coats in combination with fully extended boots, or by wearing shorter fire-resistive coats in combination with protective trousers and protective shoes or shorter boots.
(c) Body protection. WAC 296-24-58513(3) provides an option for fire brigade members to achieve body protection. Fire brigade members may wear a fire-resistive coat in combination with fully extended boots, or they may wear a fire-resistive coat in combination with protective trousers.
Fire-resistive coats and protective trousers meeting all of the requirements contained in NFPA 1971-1975, "Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighters," are acceptable as meeting the requirements of this standard.
The lining is required to be permanently attached to the outer shell. However, it is permissible to attach the lining to the outer shell material by stitching in one area such as at the neck. Fastener tape or snap fasteners may be used to secure the rest of the lining to the outer shell to facilitate cleaning. Reference to permanent lining does not refer to a winter liner which is a detachable extra lining used to give added protection to the wearer against the effects of cold weather and wind.
(d) Hand protection. The requirements of WAC 296-24-58513(4) on hand protection may be met by protective gloves or a glove system. A glove system consists of a combination of different gloves. The usual components of a glove system consist of a pair of gloves, which provide thermal insulation to the hand, worn in combination with a second pair of gloves which provide protection against flame, cut and puncture.
It is suggested that protective gloves provide dexterity and a sense of feel for objects. Criteria and test methods for dexterity are contained in the NIOSH publications, "The Development of Criteria for Firefighters' Gloves; Vol. I: Glove Requirements," and "Vol. II: Glove Criteria and Test Methods." These NIOSH publications also contain a permissible modified version of Federal Test Method 191, Method 5903, (WAC 296-24-63599(3) Appendix E) for flame resistance when gloves, rather than glove material, are tested for flame resistance.
(e) Head, eye and face protection. Head protective devices which meet the requirements contained in NFPA No. 1972 are acceptable as meeting the requirements of this standard for head protection.
Head protective devices are required to be provided with ear flaps so that the ear flaps will be available if needed. It is recommended that ear protection always be used while fighting interior structural fires.
Many head protective devices are equipped with face shields to protect the eyes and face. These face shields are permissible as meeting the eye and face protection requirements of this section as long as such face shields meet the requirements of WAC 296-800-160 of the general safety and health standards.
Additionally, full facepieces, helmets or hoods of
approved breathing apparatus which meet the requirements of
chapter 296-842 WAC ((296-62-071)) and WAC 296-24-58515 are
also acceptable as meeting the eye and face protection
requirements.
It is recommended that a flame resistant protective head covering such as a hood or snood, which will not adversely affect the seal of a respirator facepiece, be worn during interior structural fire fighting operations to protect the sides of the face and hair.
(8) Respiratory protective devices. Respiratory protection is required to be worn by fire brigade members while working inside buildings or confined spaces where toxic products of combustion or an oxygen deficiency is likely to be present; respirators are also to be worn during emergency situations involving toxic substances. When fire brigade members respond to emergency situations, they may be exposed to unknown contaminants in unknown concentrations. Therefore, it is imperative that fire brigade members wear proper respiratory protective devices during these situations. Additionally, there are many instances where toxic products of combustion are still present during mop-up and overhaul operations. Therefore, fire brigade members should continue to wear respirators during these types of operations.
Self-contained breathing apparatus are not required to be equipped with either buddy-breathing device or a quick disconnect valve. However, these accessories may be very useful and are acceptable as long as such accessories do not cause damage to the apparatus, restrict the air flow of the apparatus, or obstruct the normal operation of the apparatus.
Buddy-breathing devices are useful for emergency situations where a victim or another fire brigade member can share the same air supply with the wearer of the apparatus for emergency escape purposes.
The employer is encouraged to provide fire brigade members with an alternative means of respiratory protection to be used only for emergency escape purposes if the self-contained breathing apparatus becomes inoperative. Such alternative means of respiratory protection may be either a buddy-breathing device or an escape self-contained breathing apparatus (ESCBA). The ESCBA is a short-duration respiratory protective device which is approved for only emergency escape purposes. It is suggested that if ESCBA units are used, that they be of at least five minutes service life.
Quick disconnect valves are devices which start the flow of air by insertion of the hose (which leads to the facepiece) into the regulator of self-contained breathing apparatus, and stop the flow of air by disconnecting the hose from the regulator. These devices are particularly useful for those positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus which do not have the capability of being switched from the demand to the positive-pressure mode.
The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus where the apparatus can be switched from a demand to a positive-pressure mode is acceptable as long as the apparatus is in the positive-pressure mode when performing interior structural fire fighting operations. Also acceptable are approved respiratory protective devices which have been converted to the positive-pressure type when such modification is accomplished by trained and experienced persons using kits or parts approved by NIOSH and provided by the manufacturer and by following the manufacturer's instructions.
There are situations which require the use of respirators which have a duration of two hours or more. Presently, there are no approved positive-pressure apparatus with a rated service life of more than two hours. Consequently, negative-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus with a rated service life of more than two hours and which have a minimum protection factor of 5,000 as determined by an acceptable quantitative fit test performed on each individual, will be acceptable for use during situations which require long duration apparatus. Long duration apparatus may be needed in such instances as working in tunnels, subway systems, etc. Such negative-pressure breathing apparatus will continue to be acceptable for a maximum of eighteen months after a positive-pressure apparatus with the same or longer rated service life of more than two hours is certified by NIOSH/MSHA. After this eighteen-month phase-in period, all self-contained breathing apparatus used for these long duration situations will have to be of the positive-pressure type.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 01-11-038, § 296-24-58517, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-10-071, § 296-24-58517, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-58517, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order 81-32), § 296-24-58517, filed 12/24/81.]
(2) Abrasive-blasting respirators. Abrasive-blasting
respirators must be worn by all abrasive-blasting operators in
the following situations: (a) When working inside of blast
cleaning rooms, or (b) when using silica sand in manual
blasting operations except where the nozzle and blast are
physically separated from the operator in an exhaust
ventilated enclosure, or (c) where concentrations of toxic
dusts dispersed by the abrasive blasting may exceed the limits
set in chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E)) 296-842 WAC except where
the nozzle and blast are physically separated from the
operator in an exhaust-ventilated enclosure.
(3) Particulate-filter respirators.
(a) Properly fitted particulate-filter respirators, commonly referred to as dust-filter respirators, may be used for short, intermittent, or occasional dust exposures such as clean-up, dumping of dust collectors, or unloading shipments of sand at a receiving point when it is not feasible to control the dust by enclosure, exhaust ventilation, or other means.
(b) Dust-filter respirators may also be used to protect the operator of outside (outdoor) abrasive-blasting operations where nonsilica abrasives are used on materials having low toxicity.
(c) Dust-filter respirators used must be certified by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 for protection against the specific type of dust encountered.
(d) Dust-filter respirators must be properly fitted as
required in chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E)) 296-842 WAC.
(e) Dust-filter respirators must not be used for continuous protection where silica sand is used as the blasting abrasive, or when toxic materials are blasted.
(4) A respiratory protection program as required in
chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E)) 296-842 WAC must be established
wherever it is necessary to use respirators.
(5) Personal protective clothing.
(a) Operators must be equipped with heavy canvas or leather gloves and aprons or equivalent protection to protect them from the impact of abrasives.
(b) Safety shoes must be worn where there is a hazard of foot injury.
(c) Equipment for protection of the eyes and face must be supplied to the operator and to other personnel working near abrasive blasting operations when the respirator design does not provide such protection.
(6) Personal protective clothing, equipment and their use must comply with WAC 296-800-160.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050. 02-12-098, § 296-24-67515, filed 6/5/02, effective 8/1/02; 01-11-038, § 296-24-67515, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-10-071, § 296-24-67515, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 98-02-006, § 296-24-67515, filed 12/26/97, effective 3/1/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-67515, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 73-5, § 296-24-67515, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-67515, filed 5/7/73.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-10-071, § 296-24-67517, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 98-02-006, § 296-24-67517, filed 12/26/97, effective 3/1/98; Order 73-5, § 296-24-67517, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-67517, filed 5/7/73.]
[Order 73-5, § 296-24-71515, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-71515, filed 5/7/73.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-10-071, § 296-24-71519, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-71519, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 73-5, § 296-24-71519, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-71519, filed 5/7/73.]
OTS-7244.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-17-117, filed 8/18/99,
effective 12/1/99)
WAC 296-54-51150
Respiratory protection.
The employer
must provide respiratory protection when required by the
general occupational health standards, chapter ((296-62))
296-842 WAC.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-17-117, § 296-54-51150, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99.]
OTS-7245.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 03-11-060, filed 5/19/03,
effective 8/1/03)
WAC 296-56-60001
Scope and applicability.
(1) The rules
included in this chapter apply throughout the state of
Washington, to any and all waterfront operations under the
jurisdiction of the department of labor and industries.
(2) These minimum requirements are promulgated in order to augment the general safety and health standards, and any other safety and health standards promulgated by the department of labor and industries which are applicable to all places of employment under the jurisdiction of the department of labor and industries. The rules of this chapter, and the rules of chapters 296-24, 296-62 and 296-800 WAC are applicable to all longshore, stevedore and related waterfront operations: Provided, That such rules shall not be applicable to those operations under the exclusive safety jurisdiction of the federal government.
(3) The provisions of this chapter shall prevail in the event of a conflict with, or duplication of, provisions contained in chapters 296-24, 296-62 and 296-800 WAC. Specific standards which are applicable include, but are not limited to:
(a) Electrical -- Chapter 296-24 WAC Part L, and WAC 296-800-280.
(b) Toxic and hazardous substances are regulated by chapters 296-62 and 296-841 WAC. Where references to this chapter are given they are for informational purposes only. Where specific requirements of this chapter conflict with the provisions of chapters 296-62 and 296-841 WAC, this chapter prevails. Chapter 296-62 WAC does not apply when a substance or cargo is contained within a manufacturer's original, sealed, intact means of packaging or containment complying with the department of transportation or International Maritime Organization requirements.
(c) Hearing loss prevention (noise) -- Chapter 296-817 WAC.
(d) Standards for commercial diving operations -- Chapter 296-37 WAC.
(e) Safety requirements for scaffolding -- Chapter 296-24 WAC Part J-2.
(f) Safe practices of abrasive blasting operations -- Chapter 296-24 WAC Part H-2.
(g) Access to employee exposure and medical records -- Chapter 296-62 WAC Part B.
(h) Respiratory protection -- Chapter ((296-62)) 296-842
WAC ((Part E)).
(i) Safety standards for grain handling facilities -- Chapter 296-99 WAC.
(j) Chemical hazard communication program -- WAC 296-800-170.
(k) Asbestos -- Chapters 296-62 Part I-1 and 296-65 WAC.
(l) Permit - required confined spaces and confined space -- Chapter 296-62 WAC Part M.
(m) Servicing multipiece and single-piece rim wheels -- Chapter 296-24 WAC Part D.
(n) First-aid requirements -- WAC 296-800-150.
(o) Employee emergency plans and fire prevention plans -- Chapter 296-24 WAC Part G-1.
(4) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the following:
(a) Fully automated bulk coal handling facilities contiguous to electrical power generating plants.
(b) Facilities subject to the regulations of the office of pipeline safety regulation of the materials transportation bureau, department of transportation, to the extent such regulations apply.
(5) WAC 296-62-074 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to cadmium in every employment and place of employment covered by chapter 296-56 WAC in lieu of any different standard on exposures to cadmium that would otherwise be applicable by virtue of those sections.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-11-060, § 296-56-60001, filed 5/19/03, effective 8/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 01-11-038, § 296-56-60001, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-02-024, § 296-56-60001, filed 12/30/98, effective 3/30/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 95-04-007, § 296-56-60001, filed 1/18/95, effective 3/1/95; 93-07-044 (Order 93-01), § 296-56-60001, filed 3/13/93, effective 4/27/93. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60001, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 91-24-017 (Order 91-07), § 296-56-60001, filed 11/22/91, effective 12/24/91; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), § 296-56-60001, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; 88-14-108 (Order 88-11), § 296-56-60001, filed 7/6/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60001, filed 1/17/86; 85-10-004 (Order 85-09), § 296-56-60001, filed 4/19/85; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60001, filed 12/11/84.]
"Assistant director for the division of WISHA services" means the assistant director of WISHA services, department of labor and industries or his/her authorized representative.
"Authorized," in reference to an employee's assignment, means selected by the employer for that purpose.
"Cargo door" (transit shed door) means a door designed to permit transfer of cargo to and from a marine terminal structure.
"Cargo packaging" means any method of containment for shipment, including cases, cartons, crates and sacks, but excluding large units such as intermodal containers, vans or similar devices.
"Confined space" means a space that:
• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and
• Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry); and
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
"Conveyor" means a device designed exclusively for transporting bulk materials, packages or objects in a predetermined path and having fixed or selective points of loading or discharge.
"Danger zone" means any place in or about a machine or piece of equipment where an employee may be struck by or caught between moving parts, caught between moving and stationary objects or parts of the machine, caught between the material and a moving part of the machine, burned by hot surfaces or exposed to electric shock. Examples of danger zones are nip and shear points, shear lines, drive mechanisms, and areas beneath counterweights.
"Designated person" means a person who possesses specialized abilities in a specific area and is assigned by the employer to perform a specific task in that area.
"Dock" means a wharf or pier forming all or part of a waterfront facility, including marginal or quayside berthing facilities; not to be confused with "loading dock" as at a transit shed or container freight station, or with the body of water between piers or wharves.
"Dock facilities" includes all piers, wharves, sheds, aprons, dolphins, cranes, or other gear or equipment owned or controlled by the dock or facility owner, where cargo or materials are loaded, moved or handled to or from a vessel.
"Dockboards" (car and bridge plates) mean devices for spanning short distances between rail cars or highway vehicles and loading platforms that do not expose employees to falls greater than 4 feet (1.22 m).
"Enclosed space" means an indoor space, other than a confined space, that may contain or accumulate a hazardous atmosphere due to inadequate natural ventilation. Examples of enclosed spaces are trailers, railcars, and storage rooms.
"Examination," as applied to material handling devices required to be certified by this chapter, means a comprehensive survey consisting of the criteria outlined in WAC 296-56-60093 through 296-56-60097. The examination is supplemented by a unit proof test in the case of annual survey.
"Flammable atmosphere" means an atmosphere containing more than ten percent of the lower flammable limit (LEL) of a flammable or combustible vapor or dust mixed with air. Such atmospheres are usually toxic as well as flammable.
"Front-end attachments."
• As applied to power-operated industrial trucks, means the various devices, such as roll clamps, rotating and sideshifting carriages, magnets, rams, crane arms or booms, load stabilizers, scoops, buckets, and dumping bins, attached to the load end for handling lifts as single or multiple units.
• As applied to cranes, means various attachments applied to the basic machine for the performance of functions such as lifting, clamshell or magnet services.
"Fumigant" is a substance or mixture of substances, used to kill pests or prevent infestation, which is a gas or is rapidly or progressively transformed to the gaseous state even though some nongaseous or particulate matter may remain and be dispersed in the treatment space.
"Hazardous cargo, material, substance or atmosphere" means:
• Any substance listed in chapters 296-62 and 296-841 WAC;
• Any material in the hazardous materials table and hazardous materials communications regulations of the Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Part 172;
• Any article not properly described by a name in the hazardous materials table and hazardous materials communications regulations of the Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Part 172, but which is properly classified under the definition of those categories of dangerous articles given in 49 CFR Part 173;
• Atmospheres having concentrations of airborne chemicals in excess of permissible exposure limits as defined in chapter 296-62 WAC; or
• Any atmosphere with an oxygen content of less than nineteen and one-half percent by volume.
"House falls" means spans and supporting members, winches, blocks, and standing and running rigging forming part of a marine terminal and used with a vessel's cargo gear to load or unload by means of married falls.
"Inspection," as applied to material handling devices required to be certified by this chapter, includes a complete visual examination of all visible parts of the device.
"Intermodal container" means a reusable cargo container of rigid construction and rectangular configuration intended to contain one or more articles of cargo or bulk commodities for transportation by water and one or more other transport modes without intermediate cargo handling. The term includes completely enclosed units, open top units, fractional height units, units incorporating liquid or gas tanks and other variations fitting into the container system, demountable or with attached wheels. It does not include cylinders, drums, crates, cases, cartons, packages, sacks, unitized loads or any other form of packaging.
"Loose gear" means removable or replaceable components of equipment or devices which may be used with or as a part of assembled material handling units for purposes such as making connections, changing line direction and multiplying mechanical advantage. Examples include shackles and snatch blocks.
"Marina" means a small harbor or boat basin providing dockage, supplies, and services for small craft.
"Marine terminal" means wharves, bulkheads, quays, piers, docks and other berthing locations and adjacent storage or contiguous areas and structures associated with the primary movement of cargo or materials from vessel to shore or shore to vessel. It includes structures which are devoted to receiving, handling, holding, consolidation, loading or delivery of waterborne shipments and passengers, and areas devoted to the maintenance of the terminal or equipment. The term does not include production or manufacturing areas having their own docking facilities and located at a marine terminal nor storage facilities directly associated with those production or manufacturing areas.
"Permit-required confined space (permit space)" means a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:
• Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
• Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;
• Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or
• Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.
"Ramps" mean other flat-surface devices for passage between levels and across openings not covered under "dockboards."
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 00-21-103, § 296-56-60005, filed 10/18/00, effective 2/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-02-024, § 296-56-60005, filed 12/30/98, effective 3/30/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 95-04-007, § 296-56-60005, filed 1/18/95, effective 3/1/95. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60005, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60005, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60005, filed 12/11/84.]
(2) Determination of hazard.
(a) Whenever a room, building, vehicle, railcar or other space contains or has contained a hazardous atmosphere, a designated and appropriately equipped person shall test the atmosphere before entry to determine whether a hazardous atmosphere exists.
(b) Records of results of any tests required by this section shall be maintained for at least thirty days.
(3) Testing during ventilation. When mechanical ventilation is used to maintain a safe atmosphere, tests shall be made by a designated person to ensure that the atmosphere is not hazardous.
(4) Entry into hazardous atmospheres. Only designated persons shall enter hazardous atmospheres. The following provisions shall apply:
(a) Persons entering a space containing a hazardous
atmosphere shall be protected by respiratory and emergency
protective equipment meeting the requirements of chapter
((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E));
(b) Persons entering a space containing a hazardous atmosphere shall be instructed in the nature of the hazard, precautions to be taken, and the use of protective and emergency equipment. Standby observers, similarly equipped and instructed, shall continuously monitor the activity of employees within such space; and
(c) Except for emergency or rescue operations, employees shall not enter into any atmosphere which has been identified as flammable or oxygen deficient (less than nineteen and one-half percent oxygen). Persons who may be required to enter flammable or oxygen deficient atmospheres in emergency operations shall be instructed in the dangers attendant to those atmospheres and instructed in the use of self-contained breathing apparatus, which shall be utilized.
(d) To prevent inadvertent employee entry into spaces that have been identified as having hazardous, flammable or oxygen deficient atmospheres, appropriate warning signs or equivalent means shall be posted at all means of access to those spaces.
(5) When the packaging of asbestos cargo leaks, spillage shall be cleaned up by designated employees protected from the harmful effects of asbestos as required by WAC 296-62-07517 and chapter 296-65 WAC.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-10-071, § 296-56-60053, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60053, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60053, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60053, filed 12/11/84.]
(2) Tests to determine the atmospheric concentration of chemicals used to treat cargo shall be:
(a) Appropriate for the hazard involved;
(b) Conducted by designated persons; and
(c) Performed at the intervals necessary to ensure that employee exposure does not exceed the permissible exposure limit for the chemical involved, see chapters 296-62 and 296-841 WAC.
(3) Results of any tests shall be available for at least thirty days.
(4) Chemicals shall only be applied to cargoes by designated persons.
(5) Only designated persons shall enter hazardous atmospheres. Whenever a hazardous atmosphere is entered the following provisions apply.
(a) Persons entering a space containing a hazardous atmosphere shall be protected by respiratory and emergency protective equipment meeting the requirements of part G of this standard; and
(b) Persons entering a space containing a hazardous atmosphere shall be instructed in the nature of the hazard, precautions to be taken, and the use of protective and emergency equipment. Standby observers, similarly equipped and instructed, shall continuously monitor the activity of employees within such a space.
(6) Signs shall be clearly posted where fumigants, pesticides or hazardous preservatives have created a hazardous atmosphere. These signs shall note the danger, identify specific chemical hazards, and give appropriate information and precautions, including instructions for the emergency treatment of employees affected by any chemical in use.
(7) In the case of containerized shipments of fumigated tobacco, the contents of the container shall be aerated by opening the container doors for a period of forty-eight hours after the completion of fumigation and prior to loading. When tobacco is within shipping cases having polyethylene or similar bag liners, the aeration period shall be seventy-two hours. The employer shall obtain a written warranty from the fumigation facility stating that the appropriate aeration period has been met.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 00-21-103, § 296-56-60057, filed 10/18/00, effective 2/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-02-024, § 296-56-60057, filed 12/30/98, effective 3/30/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60057, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60057, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60057, filed 12/11/84.]
(b) Before employees enter a dock tank, it shall first be drained, rinsed and tested for hydrogen sulfide and oxygen deficiency. Employees shall not enter the tank when the hydrogen sulfide level exceeds twenty ppm or oxygen content is less than nineteen and one-half percent, except in emergencies.
(c) Tests shall be conducted by designated personnel with
suitable test equipment and respiratory protective equipment
complying with the provisions of this chapter and chapter
((296-62)) 296-842 WAC.
(2) Pipelines and hoses on the dock or terminal used for receiving and circulating used bailwater shall be completely drained upon completion of each day's operation and left open to the air.
(3) At least four units of respiratory protective
equipment consisting of supplied-air respirators or
self-contained breathing apparatus complying with the
requirements of chapter ((296-62)) 296-842 WAC shall be
available in a suitably labeled cabinet for immediate use in
case of an emergency caused by oxygen deficiency or hydrogen
sulfide. Any employee entering a tank in an emergency shall,
in addition to respiratory protective equipment, wear a
lifeline and safety harness to facilitate rescue. At least
two other employees, similarly equipped, shall be continuously
stationed outside the tank to observe and to provide rescue
services.
(4) The plant superintendent and foremen shall be trained and knowledgeable about the hazards of hydrogen sulfide and oxygen deficiency. They shall be trained in the use of appropriate respiratory and other protective equipment, and in rescue procedures. Other supervisory plant personnel shall be informed of these hazards and instructed in the necessary safety measures, including use of respiratory and rescue equipment.
(5) Supervisory personnel shall be on hand at dockside to supervise discharging of bailwater from vessels.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 00-21-103, § 296-56-60107, filed 10/18/00, effective 2/1/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60107, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60107, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60107, filed 12/11/84.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60110, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60110, filed 12/11/84.]
(2) Hot work in confined spaces. Hot work shall not be performed in a confined space until all requirements of chapter 296-62 WAC, Part M, are met.
(3) Fire protection.
(a) To the extent possible, hot work shall be performed in designated locations that are free of fire hazards.
(b) When hot work must be performed in a location that is not free of fire hazards, all necessary precautions shall be taken to confine heat, sparks, and slag so that they cannot contact flammable or combustible material.
(c) Fire extinguishing equipment suitable for the location shall be immediately available and shall be maintained in readiness for use at all times.
(d) When the hot work operation is such that normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, additional personnel shall be assigned to guard against fire during hot work and for a sufficient time after completion of the work to ensure that no fire hazard remains. The employer shall instruct all employees involved in hot work operations as to potential fire hazards and the use of fire fighting equipment.
(e) Drums and containers which contain or have contained flammable or combustible liquids shall be kept closed. Empty containers shall be removed from the hot work area.
(f) When openings or cracks in flooring cannot be closed, precautions shall be taken to ensure that no employees or flammable or combustible materials are exposed to sparks dropping through the floor. Similar precautions shall be taken regarding cracks or holes in walls, open doorways and open or broken windows.
(g) Hot work shall not be performed:
(i) In flammable or potentially flammable atmospheres;
(ii) On or in equipment or tanks that have contained flammable gas or liquid or combustible liquid or dust-producing material, until a designated person has tested the atmosphere inside the equipment or tanks and determined that it is not hazardous; or
(iii) Near any area in which exposed readily ignitable materials such as bulk sulphur, baled paper or cotton are stored. Bulk sulphur is excluded from this prohibition if suitable precautions are followed, the person in charge is knowledgeable and the person performing the work has been instructed in preventing and extinguishing sulphur fires.
(h)(i) Drums, containers or hollow structures that have contained flammable or combustible substances shall either be filled with water or cleaned, and shall then be ventilated. A designated person shall test the atmosphere and determine that it is not hazardous before hot work is performed on or in such structures.
(ii) Before heat is applied to a drum, container or hollow structure, an opening to release built-up pressure during heat application shall be provided.
(4) Gas welding and cutting.
(a) Compressed gas cylinders:
(i) Shall have valve protection caps in place except when in use, hooked up or secured for movement. Oil shall not be used to lubricate caps;
(ii) Shall be hoisted only while secured, as on a cradle or pallet, and shall not be hoisted by magnet, choker sling or cylinder caps;
(iii) Shall be moved only by tilting or rolling on their bottom edges;
(iv) Shall be secured when moved by vehicle;
(v) Shall be secured while in use;
(vi) Shall have valves closed when cylinders are empty, being moved or stored;
(vii) Shall be secured upright except when hoisted or carried;
(viii) Shall not be freed when frozen by prying the valves or caps with bars or by hitting the valve with a tool;
(ix) Shall not be thawed by boiling water;
(x) Shall not be exposed to sparks, hot slag, or flame;
(xi) Shall not be permitted to become part of electrical circuits or have electrodes struck against them to strike arcs;
(xii) Shall not be used as rollers or supports;
(xiii) Shall not have contents used for purposes not authorized by the supplier;
(xiv) Shall not be used if damaged or defective;
(xv) Shall not have gases mixed within, except by gas suppliers;
(xvi) Shall be stored so that oxygen cylinders are separated from fuel gas cylinders and combustible materials by either a minimum distance of twenty feet (6.1 m) or a barrier having a fire-resistance rating of thirty minutes; and
(xvii) Shall not have objects that might either damage the safety device or obstruct the valve placed on top of the cylinder when in use.
(b) Use of fuel gas. Fuel gas shall be used only as follows:
(i) Before regulators are connected to cylinder valves, the valves shall be opened slightly (cracked) and closed immediately to clear away dust or dirt. Valves shall not be cracked if gas could reach possible sources of ignition;
(ii) Cylinder valves shall be opened slowly to prevent regulator damage and shall not be opened more than one and one-half turns. Any special wrench required for emergency closing shall be positioned on the valve stem during cylinder use. For manifolded or coupled cylinders, at least one wrench shall be immediately available. Nothing shall be placed on top of a cylinder or associated parts when the cylinder is in use;
(iii) Pressure-reducing regulators shall be attached to cylinder valves when cylinders are supplying torches or devices equipped with shut-off valves;
(iv) Cylinder valves shall be closed and gas released from the regulator or manifold before regulators are removed;
(v) Leaking fuel gas cylinder valves shall be closed and the gland nut tightened. If the leak continues, the cylinder shall be tagged, removed from service, and moved to a location where the leak will not be hazardous. If a regulator attached to a valve stops a leak, the cylinder need not be removed from the workplace but shall be tagged and may not be used again before it is repaired; and
(vi) If a plug or safety device leaks, the cylinder shall be tagged, removed from service, and moved to a location where the leak will not be hazardous.
(c) Hose.
(i) Fuel gas and oxygen hoses shall be easily distinguishable from each other by color or sense of touch. Oxygen and fuel hoses shall not be interchangeable. Hoses having more than one gas passage shall not be used.
(ii) When oxygen and fuel gas hoses are taped together, not more than four of each twelve inches (10.16 cm of each 30.48 cm) shall be taped.
(iii) Hose shall be inspected before use. Hose subjected to flashback or showing evidence of severe wear or damage shall be tested to twice the normal working pressure but not less than two hundred p.s.i. (1378.96 kPa) before reuse. Defective hose shall not be used.
(iv) Hose couplings shall not unlock or disconnect without rotary motion.
(v) Hose connections shall be clamped or securely fastened to withstand twice the normal working pressure but not less than three hundred p.s.i. (2068.44 kPa) without leaking.
(vi) Gas hose storage boxes shall be ventilated.
(d) Torches.
(i) Torch tip openings shall only be cleaned with devices designed for that purpose.
(ii) Torches shall be inspected before each use for leaking shut-off valves, hose couplings and tip connections. Torches shall be inspected before each use for leaking shut-off valves, hose couplings and tip connections. Torches with such defects shall not be used.
(iii) Torches shall not be lighted from matches, cigarette lighters, other flames or hot work.
(e) Pressure regulators. Pressure regulators, including associated gauges, shall be maintained in safe working order.
(f) Operational precaution. Gas welding equipment shall be maintained free of oil and grease.
(5) Arc welding and cutting.
(a) Manual electrode holders.
(i) The employer shall ensure that only manual electrode holders intended for arc welding and cutting and capable of handling the maximum current required for such welding or cutting shall be used.
(ii) Current-carrying parts passing through those portions of the holder gripped by the user and through the outer surfaces of the jaws of the holder shall be insulated against the maximum voltage to ground.
(b) Welding cables and connectors.
(i) Arc welding and cutting cables shall be insulated, flexible and capable of handling the maximum current required by the operation, taking into account the duty cycles.
(ii) Only cable free from repair or splice for ten feet (3 m) from the electrode holder shall be used unless insulated connectors or splices with insulating quality equal to that of the cable are provided.
(iii) When a cable other than the lead mentioned in (b)(ii) of this subsection wears and exposes bare conductors, the portion exposed shall not be used until it is protected by insulation equivalent in performance capacity to the original.
(iv) Insulated connectors of equivalent capacity shall be used for connecting or splicing cable. Cable lugs, where used as connectors, shall provide electrical contact. Exposed metal parts shall be insulated.
(c) Ground returns and machine grounding.
(i) Ground return cables shall have current-carrying capacity equal to or exceeding the total maximum output capacities of the welding or cutting units served.
(ii) Structures or pipelines, other than those containing gases or flammable liquids or conduits containing electrical circuits, may be used in the ground return circuit if their current-carrying capacity equals or exceeds the total maximum output capacities of the welding or cutting units served.
(iii) Structures or pipelines forming a temporary ground return circuit shall have electrical contact at all joints. Arcs, sparks or heat at any point in the circuit shall cause rejection as a ground circuit.
(iv) Structures or pipelines acting continuously as ground return circuits shall have joints bonded and maintained to ensure that no electrolysis or fire hazard exists.
(v) Arc welding and cutting machine frames shall be grounded, either through a third wire in the cable containing the circuit conductor or through a separate wire at the source of the current. Grounding circuits shall have resistance low enough to permit sufficient current to flow to cause the fuse or circuit breaker to interrupt the current.
(vi) Ground connections shall be mechanically and electrically adequate to carry the current.
(d) When electrode holders are left unattended, electrodes shall be removed and holders placed to prevent employee injury.
(e) Hot electrode holders shall not be dipped in water.
(f) The employer shall ensure that when arc welders or cutters leave or stop work or when machines are moved, the power supply switch is kept in the off position.
(g) Arc welding or cutting equipment having a functional defect shall not be used.
(h)(i) Arc welding and cutting operations shall be separated from other operations by shields, screens, or curtains to protect employees in the vicinity from the direct rays and sparks of the arc.
(ii) Employees in areas not protected from the arc by screening shall be protected by appropriate filter lenses in accordance with subsection (8) of this section. When welders are exposed to their own arc or to each other's arc, they shall wear filter lenses complying with the requirements of subsection (8) of this section.
(i) The control apparatus of arc welding machines shall be enclosed, except for operating wheels, levers, and handles.
(j) Input power terminals, top change devices and live metal parts connected to input circuits shall be enclosed and accessible only by means of insulated tools.
(k) When arc welding is performed in wet or high-humidity conditions, employees shall use additional protection, such as rubber pads or boots, against electric shock.
(6) Ventilation and employee protection in welding, cutting and heating.
(a) Mechanical ventilation requirements. The employer shall ensure that general mechanical ventilation or local exhaust systems shall meet the following requirements:
(i) General mechanical ventilation shall maintain vapors, fumes and smoke below a hazardous level;
(ii) Local exhaust ventilation shall consist of movable hoods positioned close to the work and shall be of such capacity and arrangement as to keep breathing zone concentrations below hazardous levels;
(iii) Exhausts from working spaces shall be discharged into the open air, clear of intake air sources;
(iv) Replacement air shall be clean and respirable; and
(v) Oxygen shall not be used for ventilation, cooling or cleaning clothing or work areas.
(b) Hot work in confined spaces. Except as specified in (c)(ii) and (iii) of this subsection, when hot work is performed in a confined space the employer shall, in addition to the requirements of chapter 296-62 WAC, Part M, ensure that:
(i) General mechanical or local exhaust ventilations shall be provided; or
(ii) Employees in the space shall wear respirators in
accordance with chapter ((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E)).
(c) Welding, cutting or heating of toxic metals.
(i) In confined or enclosed spaces, hot work involving the following metals shall only be performed with general mechanical or local exhaust ventilation that ensures that employees are not exposed to hazardous levels of fumes:
(A) Lead base metals;
(B) Cadmium-bearing filler materials; and
(C) Chromium-bearing metals or metals coated with chromium-bearing materials.
(ii) In confined or enclosed spaces, hot work involving
the following metals shall only be performed with local
exhaust ventilation meeting the requirements of this
subsection or by employees wearing supplied air respirators in
accordance with chapter ((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E));
(A) Zinc-bearing base or filler metals or metals coated with zinc-bearing materials;
(B) Metals containing lead other than as an impurity, or coated with lead-bearing materials;
(C) Cadmium-bearing or cadmium-coated base metals; and
(D) Metals coated with mercury-bearing materials.
(iii) Employees performing hot work in confined or
enclosed spaces involving beryllium-containing base or filler
metals shall be protected by local exhaust ventilation and
wear supplied air respirators or self-contained breathing
apparatus, in accordance with the requirements of chapter
((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E)).
(iv) The employer shall ensure that employees performing
hot work in the open air that involves any of the metals
listed in (c)(i) and (ii) of this subsection shall be
protected by respirators in accordance with the requirements
of chapter ((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E)) and those
working on beryllium-containing base or filler metals shall be
protected by supplied air respirators, in accordance with the
requirements of chapter ((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E)).
(v) Any employee exposed to the same atmosphere as the welder or burner shall be protected by the same type of respiratory and other protective equipment as that worn by the welder or burner.
(d) Inert-gas metal-arc welding. Employees shall not engage in and shall not be exposed to the inert-gas metal-arc welding process unless the following precautions are taken:
(i) Chlorinated solvents shall not be used within two hundred feet (61 m) of the exposed arc. Surfaces prepared with chlorinated solvents shall be thoroughly dry before welding is performed on them.
(ii) Employees in areas not protected from the arc by screening shall be protected by appropriate filter lenses in accordance with the requirements of subsection (8) of this section. When welders are exposed to their own arc or to each other's arc, filter lenses complying with the requirements of subsection (8) of this section shall be worn to protect against flashes and radiant energy.
(iii) Employees exposed to radiation shall have their skin covered completely to prevent ultraviolet burns and damage. Helmets and hand shields shall not have leaks, openings or highly reflective surfaces.
(iv) Inert-gas metal-arc welding on stainless steel shall
not be performed unless exposed employees are protected either
by local exhaust ventilation or by wearing supplied air
respirators in accordance with the requirements of chapter
((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E)).
(7) Welding, cutting and heating on preservative coatings.
(a) Before hot work is commenced on surfaces covered by a preservative coating of unknown flammability, a test shall be made by a designated person to determine the coating's flammability. Preservative coatings shall be considered highly flammable when scrapings burn with extreme rapidity.
(b) Appropriate precaution shall be taken to prevent ignition of highly flammable hardened preservative coatings. Highly flammable coatings shall be stripped from the area to be heated. An uncoiled fire hose with fog nozzle, under pressure, shall be immediately available in the hot work area.
(c) Surfaces covered with preservative coatings shall be stripped for at least four inches (10.16 cm) from the area of heat application or employees shall be protected by supplied air respirators in accordance with the requirements of chapter 296-62 WAC.
(8) Protection against radiant energy.
(a) Employees shall be protected from radiant energy eye hazards by spectacles, cup goggles, helmets, hand shields or face shields with filter lenses complying with the requirements of this subsection.
(b) Filter lenses shall have an appropriate shade number, as indicated in Table G-1, for the work performed. Variations of one or two shade numbers are permissible to suit individual preferences.
(c) If filter lenses are used in goggles worn under the helmet, the shade numbers of both lenses equals the value shown in Table G-1 for the operation.
Table G-1. -- Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy |
||
Operation | Shade No. | |
Soldering . . . . . . . . . . . . | 2 | |
Torch Brazing . . . . . . . . . . . . | 3 or 4 | |
Light cutting, up to 1 inch . . . . . . . . . . . . | 3 or 4 | |
Medium cutting, 1-6 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . | 4 or 5 | |
Heavy cutting, over 6 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . | 5 or 6 | |
Light gas welding, up to 1/8 inch . . . . . . . . . . . . | 4 or 5 | |
Medium gas welding, 1/8-1/2 inch . . . . . . . . . . . . | 5 or 6 | |
Heavy gas welding, over 1/2 inch . . . . . . . . . . . . | 6 or 8 | |
Shielded Metal-Arc Welding 1/16 to 5/32-inch electrodes . . . . . . . . . . . . |
10 | |
Inert gas Metal-Arc Welding (nonferrous) 1/16 to 5/32-inch electrodes . . . . . . . . . . . . | 11 | |
Shielded Metal-Arc Welding: | ||
3/16 to 1/4-inch electrodes . . . . . . . . . . . . | 12 | |
5/16 and 3/8-inch electrodes . . . . . . . . . . . . |
14 |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 00-21-103, § 296-56-60235, filed 10/18/00, effective 2/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-10-071, § 296-56-60235, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 95-04-007, § 296-56-60235, filed 1/18/95, effective 3/1/95. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60235, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60235, filed 1/17/86; 85-10-004 (Order 85-09), § 296-56-60235, filed 4/19/85; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60235, filed 12/11/84.]
OTS-7246.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-11-038, filed 5/9/01,
effective 9/1/01)
WAC 296-62-07306
Requirements for areas containing
carcinogens listed in WAC 296-62-07302.
(1) A regulated area
shall be established by an employer where listed carcinogens
are manufactured, processed, used, repackaged, released,
handled or stored.
(2) All such areas shall be controlled in accordance with the requirements for the following category or categories describing the operation involved:
(a) Isolated systems. Employees working with carcinogens within an isolated system such as a "glove box" shall wash their hands and arms upon completion of the assigned task and before engaging in other activities not associated with the isolated system.
(b) Closed system operation. Within regulated areas where carcinogens are stored in sealed containers, or contained in a closed system including piping systems with any sample ports or openings closed while carcinogens are contained within:
(i) Access shall be restricted to authorized employees only;
(ii) Employees shall be required to wash hands, forearms, face and neck upon each exit from the regulated areas, close to the point of exit and before engaging in other activities.
(c) Open vessel system operations. Open vessel system operations as defined in WAC 296-62-07304(12) are prohibited.
(d) Transfer from a closed system. Charging or discharging point operations, or otherwise opening a closed system. In operations involving "laboratory-type hoods," or in locations where a carcinogen is contained in an otherwise "closed system," but is transferred, charged, or discharged into other normally closed containers, the provisions of this section shall apply.
(i) Access shall be restricted to authorized employees only;
(ii) Each operation shall be provided with continuous local exhaust ventilation so that air movement is always from ordinary work areas to the operation. Exhaust air shall not be discharged to regulated areas, nonregulated areas or the external environment unless decontaminated. Clean makeup air shall be introduced in sufficient volume to maintain the correct operation of the local exhaust system.
(iii) Employees shall be provided with, and required to wear, clean, full body protective clothing (smocks, coveralls, or long-sleeved shirt and pants), shoe covers and gloves prior to entering the regulated area.
(iv) Employees engaged in handling operations involving
the following carcinogens must be provided with and required
to wear and use a full-face, supplied-air respirator, of the
continuous flow or pressure-demand type as required in chapter
((296-62)) 296-842 WAC((, Part E)):
• | Methyl Chloromethyl Ether; | |
• | bis-Chloromethyl Ether; | |
• | Ethylenemine; | |
• | beta-Propiolactone; | |
• | 4-Amino Diphenyl. |
• | 4-nitrobiphenyl; | |
• | alpha-naphthylamine; | |
• | 4-4'methylene bis(2-chloroaniline); | |
• | 3-3'dichlorobenzidine (and its salts); | |
• | beta-naphthylamine; | |
• | benzidine; | |
• | 2-acetylamino fluroene; | |
• | 4-dimethylaminobenzene; | |
• | n-nitrosodimethylamine |
(vi) Prior to each exit from a regulated area, employees shall be required to remove and leave protective clothing and equipment at the point of exit and at the last exit of the day, to place used clothing and equipment in impervious containers at the point of exit for purposes of decontamination or disposal. The contents of such impervious containers shall be identified, as required under WAC 296-62-07310 (2), (3) and (4).
(vii) Employees shall be required to wash hands, forearms, face and neck on each exit from the regulated area, close to the point of exit, and before engaging in other activities.
(viii) Employees shall be required to shower after the last exit of the day.
(ix) Drinking fountains are prohibited in the regulated area.
(e) Maintenance and decontamination activities. In clean up of leaks or spills, maintenance or repair operations on contaminated systems or equipment, or any operations involving work in an area where direct contact with carcinogens could result, each authorized employee entering the area shall:
(i) Be provided with and required to wear, clean,
impervious garments, including gloves, boots and
continuous-air supplied hood in accordance with WAC 296-800-160, and respiratory protective equipment required by
this chapter ((296-62)) 296-842 WAC;
(ii) Be decontaminated before removing the protective garments and hood;
(iii) Be required to shower upon removing the protective garments and hood.
(f) Laboratory activities. The requirements of this subdivision shall apply to research and quality control activities involving the use of carcinogens listed in WAC 296-62-07302.
(i) Mechanical pipetting aids shall be used for all pipetting procedures.
(ii) Experiments, procedures and equipment which could produce aerosols shall be confined to laboratory-type hoods or glove boxes.
(iii) Surfaces on which carcinogens are handled shall be protected from contamination.
(iv) Contaminated wastes and animal carcasses shall be collected in impervious containers which are closed and decontaminated prior to removal from the work area. Such wastes and carcasses shall be incinerated in such a manner that no carcinogenic products are released.
(v) All other forms of listed carcinogens shall be inactivated prior to disposal.
(vi) Laboratory vacuum systems shall be protected with high efficiency scrubbers or with disposable absolute filters.
(vii) Employees engaged in animal support activities shall be:
(A) Provided with, and required to wear, a complete protective clothing change, clean each day, including coveralls or pants and shirt, foot covers, head covers, gloves, and appropriate respiratory protective equipment or devices; and
(B) Prior to each exit from a regulated area, employees shall be required to remove and leave protective clothing and equipment at the point of exit and at the last exit of the day, to place used clothing and equipment in impervious containers at the point of exit for purposes of decontamination or disposal. The contents of such impervious containers shall be identified as required under WAC 296-62-07310 (2), (3) and (4).
(C) Required to wash hands, forearms, face and neck upon each exit from the regulated area close to the point of exit, and before engaging in other activities; and
(D) Required to shower after the last exit of the day.
(viii) Employees, other than those engaged only in animal support activities, each day shall be:
(A) Provided with and required to wear a clean change of appropriate laboratory clothing, such as a solid front gown, surgical scrub suit, or fully buttoned laboratory coat.
(B) Prior to each exit from a regulated area, employees shall be required to remove and leave protective clothing and equipment at the point of exit and at the last exit of the day, to place used clothing and equipment in impervious containers at the point of exit for purposes of decontamination or disposal. The contents of such impervious containers shall be identified as required under WAC 296-62-07310 (2), (3) and (4).
(C) Required to wash hands, forearms, face and neck upon each exit from the regulated area close to the point of exit, and before engaging in other activities.
(ix) Air pressure in laboratory areas and animal rooms where carcinogens are handled and bioassay studies are performed shall be negative in relation to the pressure in surrounding areas. Exhaust air shall not be discharged to regulated areas, nonregulated areas or the external environment unless decontaminated.
(x) There shall be no connection between regulated areas and any other areas through the ventilation system.
(xi) A current inventory of the carcinogens shall be maintained.
(xii) Ventilated apparatus such as laboratory-type hoods, shall be tested at least semi-annually or immediately after ventilation modification or maintenance operations, by personnel fully qualified to certify correct containment and operation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 01-11-038, § 296-62-07306, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-10-071, § 296-62-07306, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 96-09-030, § 296-62-07306, filed 4/10/96, effective 6/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-16-009 (Order 86-28), § 296-62-07306, filed 7/25/86; 85-10-004 (Order 85-09), § 296-62-07306, filed 4/19/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. 81-16-015 (Order 81-20), § 296-62-07306, filed 7/27/81. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.240, chapters 42.30 and 43.22 RCW. 80-17-014 (Order 80-20), § 296-62-07306, filed 11/13/80.]
(a) This section includes requirements for the control of employee exposure to vinyl chloride (chloroethene), Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 75014.
(b) This section applies to the manufacture, reaction, packaging, repackaging, storage, handling or use of vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride, but does not apply to the handling or use of fabricated products made of polyvinyl chloride.
(c) This section applies to the transportation of vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride except to the extent that the department of transportation may regulate the hazards covered by this section.
(2) Definitions.
(a) "Action level" means a concentration of vinyl chloride of 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day.
(b) "Authorized person" means any person specifically authorized by the employer whose duties require him/her to enter a regulated area or any person entering such an area as a designated representative of employees for the purpose of exercising an opportunity to observe monitoring and measuring procedures.
(c) "Director" means the director of department of labor and industries or his/her designated representative.
(d) "Emergency" means any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, or operation of a relief device which is likely to, or does, result in massive release of vinyl chloride.
(e) "Fabricated product" means a product made wholly or partly from polyvinyl chloride, and which does not require further processing at temperatures, and for times, sufficient to cause mass melting of the polyvinyl chloride resulting in the release of vinyl chloride.
(f) "Hazardous operation" means any operation, procedure, or activity where a release of either vinyl chloride liquid or gas might be expected as a consequence of the operation or because of an accident in the operation, which would result in an employee exposure in excess of the permissible exposure limit.
(g) "Polyvinyl chloride" means polyvinyl chloride homopolymer or copolymer before such is converted to a fabricated product.
(h) "Vinyl chloride" means vinyl chloride monomer.
(3) Permissible exposure limit.
(a) No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride at concentrations greater than 1 ppm averaged over any 8-hour period, and
(b) No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride at concentrations greater than 5 ppm averaged over any period not exceeding 15 minutes.
(c) No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride by direct contact with liquid vinyl chloride.
(4) Monitoring.
(a) A program of initial monitoring and measurement shall be undertaken in each establishment to determine if there is any employee exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, in excess of the action level.
(b) Where a determination conducted under subdivision (a) of this subsection shows any employee exposures without regard to the use of respirators, in excess of the action level, a program for determining exposures for each such employee shall be established. Such a program:
(i) Shall be repeated at least monthly where any employee is exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, in excess of the permissible exposure limit.
(ii) Shall be repeated not less than quarterly where any employee is exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, in excess of the action level.
(iii) May be discontinued for any employee only when at least two consecutive monitoring determinations, made not less than 5 working days apart, show exposures for that employee at or below the action level.
(c) Whenever there has been a production, process or control change which may result in an increase in the release of vinyl chloride, or the employer has any other reason to suspect that any employee may be exposed in excess of the action level, a determination of employee exposure under subdivision (a) of this subsection shall be performed.
(d) The method of monitoring and measurement shall have an accuracy (with a confidence level of 95 percent) of not less than plus or minus 50 percent from 0.25 through 0.5 ppm, plus or minus 35 percent from over 0.5 ppm through 1.0 ppm, plus or minus 25 percent over 1.0 ppm, (methods meeting these accuracy requirements are available from the director).
(e) Employees or their designated representatives shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to observe the monitoring and measuring required by this subsection.
(5) Regulated area.
(a) A regulated area shall be established where:
(i) Vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride is manufactured, reacted, repackaged, stored, handled or used; and
(ii) Vinyl chloride concentrations are in excess of the permissible exposure limit.
(b) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized persons.
(6) Methods of compliance. Employee exposures to vinyl chloride shall be controlled to at or below the permissible exposure limit provided in subsection (3) of this section by engineering, work practice, and personal protective controls as follows:
(a) Feasible engineering and work practice controls shall immediately be used to reduce exposures to at or below the permissible exposure limit.
(b) Wherever feasible engineering and work practice controls which can be instituted immediately are not sufficient to reduce exposures to at or below the permissible exposure limit, they shall nonetheless be used to reduce exposures to the lowest practicable level, and shall be supplemented by respiratory protection in accordance with subsection (7) of this section. A program shall be established and implemented to reduce exposures to at or below the permissible exposure limit, or to the greatest extent feasible, solely by means of engineering and work practice controls, as soon as feasible.
(c) Written plans for such a program shall be developed and furnished upon request for examination and copying to the director. Such plans shall be updated at least every six months.
(7) Respiratory protection.
(a) General. For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must provide respirators that comply with the requirements of this section.
(b) Respirator program. The employer must establish,
implement, and maintain a respiratory protection program as
required in chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E (except WAC 296-62-07130(1), 296-62-07131 (4)(b)(i) and (ii), and
296-62-07150 through 296-62-17156))) 296-842 WAC, except WAC 296-842-13005 and 296-842-14005.
(c) Respirator selection. Respirators must be selected from the following table.
Atmospheric concentration of Vinyl Chloride |
Apparatus |
|
(i) | Not over 10 ppm | Any chemical cartridge respirator with a vinyl chloride cartridge which provides a service life of at least 1 hour for concentrations of vinyl chloride up to 10 ppm. |
(ii) | Not over 25 ppm | (A) A powered
air-purifying respirator
with hood, helmet, full or
half facepiece, and a
canister which provides a
service life of at least 4
hours for concentrations
of vinyl chloride up to 25
ppm, or (B) Gas mask, front or back-mounted canister which provides a service life of at least 4 hours for concentrations of vinyl chloride up to 25 ppm. |
(iii) | Not over 100 ppm | Supplied air respirator demand type, with full facepiece. |
(iv) | Not over 250 ppm | Type C, supplied air respirator, continuous flow type, with full or half facepiece, helmet or hood. |
(v) | Not over 3,600 ppm | Combination Type C supplied air respirator, pressure demand type, with full or half facepiece and auxiliary self-contained air supply. |
(vi) | Unknown, or above 3,600 ppm | Open-circuit, self-contained breathing apparatus, pressure demand type, with full facepiece. |
(d) Where air-purifying respirators are used:
(i) Air-purifying canisters or cartridges must be replaced prior to the expiration of their service life or the end of the shift in which they are first used, whichever occurs first, and
(ii) A continuous monitoring and alarm system must be provided when concentrations of vinyl chloride could reasonably exceed the allowable concentrations for the devices in use. Such system shall be used to alert employees when vinyl chloride concentrations exceed the allowable concentrations for the devices in use, and
(iii) Respirators specified for higher concentrations may be used for lower concentration.
(8) Hazardous operations.
(a) Employees engaged in hazardous operations, including entry of vessels to clean polyvinyl chloride residue from vessel walls, shall be provided and required to wear and use;
(i) Respiratory protection in accordance with subsections (3) and (7) of this section; and
(ii) Protective garments to prevent skin contact with liquid vinyl chloride or with polyvinyl chloride residue from vessel walls. The protective garments shall be selected for the operation and its possible exposure conditions.
(b) Protective garments shall be provided clean and dry for each use.
(c) Emergency situations. A written operational plan for emergency situations shall be developed for each facility storing, handling, or otherwise using vinyl chloride as a liquid or compressed gas. Appropriate portions of the plan shall be implemented in the event of an emergency. The plan shall specifically provide that:
(i) Employees engaged in hazardous operations or correcting situations of existing hazardous releases shall be equipped as required in subdivisions (a) and (b) of this subsection;
(ii) Other employees not so equipped shall evacuate the area and not return until conditions are controlled by the methods required in subsection (6) of this section and the emergency is abated.
(9) Training. Each employee engaged in vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride operations shall be provided training in a program relating to the hazards of vinyl chloride and precautions for its safe use.
(a) The program shall include:
(i) The nature of the health hazard from chronic exposure to vinyl chloride including specifically the carcinogenic hazard;
(ii) The specific nature of operations which could result in exposure to vinyl chloride in excess of the permissible limit and necessary protective steps;
(iii) The purpose for, proper use, and limitations of respiratory protective devices;
(iv) The fire hazard and acute toxicity of vinyl chloride, and the necessary protective steps;
(v) The purpose for and a description of the monitoring program;
(vi) The purpose for and a description of, the medical surveillance program;
(vii) Emergency procedures:
(A) Specific information to aid the employee in recognition of conditions which may result in the release of vinyl chloride; and
(B) A review of this standard at the employee's first training and indoctrination program, and annually thereafter.
(b) All materials relating to the program shall be provided upon request to the director.
(10) Medical surveillance. A program of medical surveillance shall be instituted for each employee exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, to vinyl chloride in excess of the action level. The program shall provide each such employee with an opportunity for examinations and tests in accordance with this subsection. All medical examinations and procedures shall be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician and shall be provided without cost to the employee.
(a) At the time of initial assignment, or upon institution of medical surveillance;
(i) A general physical examination shall be performed with specific attention to detecting enlargement of liver, spleen or kidneys, or dysfunction in these organs, and for abnormalities in skin, connective tissues and the pulmonary system (see Appendix A).
(ii) A medical history shall be taken, including the following topics:
(A) Alcohol intake,
(B) Past history of hepatitis,
(C) Work history and past exposure to potential hepatotoxic agents, including drugs and chemicals,
(D) Past history of blood transfusions, and
(E) Past history of hospitalizations.
(iii) A serum specimen shall be obtained and determinations made of:
(A) Total bilirubin,
(B) Alkaline phosphatase,
(C) Serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT),
(D) Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and
(E) Gamma glustamyl transpeptidase.
(b) Examinations provided in accordance with this subdivision shall be performed at least:
(i) Every 6 months for each employee who has been employed in vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride manufacturing for 10 years or longer; and
(ii) Annually for all other employees.
(c) Each employee exposed to an emergency shall be afforded appropriate medical surveillance.
(d) A statement of each employee's suitability for continued exposure to vinyl chloride including use of protective equipment and respirators, shall be obtained from the examining physician promptly after any examination. A copy of the physician's statement shall be provided each employee.
(e) If any employee's health would be materially impaired by continued exposure, such employee shall be withdrawn from possible contact with vinyl chloride.
(f) Laboratory analyses for all biological specimens included in medical examinations shall be performed in laboratories licensed under 42 CFR Part 74.
(g) If the examining physician determines that alternative medical examinations to those required by subdivision (a) of this subsection will provide at least equal assurance of detecting medical conditions pertinent to the exposure to vinyl chloride, the employer may accept such alternative examinations as meeting the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subsection, if the employer obtains a statement from the examining physician setting forth the alternative examinations and the rationale for substitution. This statement shall be available upon request for examination and copying to authorized representatives of the director.
(11) Signs and labels.
(a) Entrances to regulated areas shall be posted with
legible signs bearing the legend:
(g) No statement shall appear on or near any required sign, label or instruction which contradicts or detracts from the effect of any required warning, information or instruction.
(12) Records.
(a) All records maintained in accordance with this section shall include the name and social security number of each employee where relevant.
(b) Records of required monitoring and measuring and medical records shall be provided upon request to employees, designated representatives, and the director in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC. These records shall be provided upon request to the director. Authorized personnel rosters shall also be provided upon request to the director.
(i) Monitoring and measuring records shall:
(A) State the date of such monitoring and measuring and the concentrations determined and identify the instruments and methods used;
(B) Include any additional information necessary to determine individual employee exposures where such exposures are determined by means other than individual monitoring of employees; and
(C) Be maintained for not less than 30 years.
(ii) Medical records shall be maintained for the duration of the employment of each employee plus 20 years, or 30 years, whichever is longer.
(c) In the event that the employer ceases to do business and there is no successor to receive and retain his/her records for the prescribed period, these records shall be transmitted by registered mail to the director, and each employee individually notified in writing of this transfer. The employer shall also comply with any additional requirements set forth in chapter 296-802 WAC.
(d) Employees or their designated representatives shall be provided access to examine and copy records of required monitoring and measuring.
(e) Former employees shall be provided access to examine and copy required monitoring and measuring records reflecting their own exposures.
(f) Upon written request of any employee, a copy of the medical record of that employee shall be furnished to any physician designated by the employee.
(13) Reports.
(a) Not later than 1 month after the establishment of a regulated area, the following information shall be reported to the director. Any changes to such information shall be reported within 15 days.
(i) The address and location of each establishment which has one or more regulated areas; and
(ii) The number of employees in each regulated area during normal operations, including maintenance.
(b) Emergencies and the facts obtainable at that time, shall be reported within 24 hours to the director. Upon request of the director, the employer shall submit additional information in writing relevant to the nature and extent of employee exposures and measures taken to prevent future emergencies of similar nature.
(c) Within 10 working days following any monitoring and measuring which discloses that any employee has been exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, in excess of the permissible exposure limit, each such employee shall be notified in writing of the results of the exposure measurement and the steps being taken to reduce the exposure to within the permissible exposure limit.
(14) Appendix A supplementary medical information.
When required tests under subsection (10)(a) of this section show abnormalities, the tests should be repeated as soon as practicable, preferably within 3 to 4 weeks. If tests remain abnormal, consideration should be given to withdrawal of the employee from contact with vinyl chloride, while a more comprehensive examination is made.
Additional tests which may be useful:
(A) For kidney dysfunction: Urine examination for albumin, red blood cells, and exfoliative abnormal cells.
(B) Pulmonary system: Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at 1 second, and chest roentgenogram (posterior-anterior, 14 x 17 inches).
(C) Additional serum tests: Lactic acid dehydrogenase, lactic acid dehydrogenase isoenzyme, protein determination, and protein electrophoresis.
(D) For a more comprehensive examination on repeated abnormal serum tests: Hepatitis B antigen, and liver scanning.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-10-026, § 296-62-07329, filed 4/27/04, effective 8/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-10-071, § 296-62-07329, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-62-07329, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; 91-03-044 (Order 90-18), § 296-62-07329, filed 1/10/91, effective 2/12/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-16-009 (Order 86-28), § 296-62-07329, filed 7/25/86; 82-13-045 (Order 82-22), § 296-62-07329, filed 6/11/82. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-62-07329, filed 8/27/81; 81-16-015 (Order 81-20), § 296-62-07329, filed 7/27/81; Order 75-41, § 296-62-07329, filed 12/19/75.]
(a) This section applies to all occupational exposure to acrylonitrile (AN), Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 000107131, except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection.
(b) This section does not apply to exposures which result solely from the processing, use, and handling of the following materials:
(i) ABS resins, SAN resins, nitrile barrier resins, solid nitrile elastomers, and acrylic and modacrylic fibers, when these listed materials are in the form of finished polymers, and products fabricated from such finished polymers;
(ii) Materials made from and/or containing AN for which objective data is reasonably relied upon to demonstrate that the material is not capable of releasing AN in airborne concentrations in excess of 1 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average, under the expected conditions of processing, use, and handling which will cause the greatest possible release; and
(iii) Solid materials made from and/or containing AN which will not be heated above 170°F during handling, use, or processing.
(c) An employer relying upon exemption under (1)(b)(ii) shall maintain records of the objective data supporting that exemption, and of the basis of the employer's reliance on the data as provided in subsection (17) of this section.
(2) Definitions, as applicable to this section:
(a) "Acrylonitrile" or "AN" - acrylonitrile monomer, chemical formula CH2=CHCN.
(b) "Action level" - a concentration of AN of 1 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average.
(c) "Authorized person" - any person specifically authorized by the employer whose duties require the person to enter a regulated area, or any person entering such an area as a designated representative of employees for the purpose of exercising the opportunity to observe monitoring procedures under subsection (18) of this section.
(d) "Decontamination" means treatment of materials and surfaces by water washdown, ventilation, or other means, to assure that the materials will not expose employees to airborne concentrations of AN above 1 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average.
(e) "Director" - the director of labor and industries, or his authorized representative.
(f) "Emergency" - any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment, which is likely to, or does, result in unexpected exposure to AN in excess of the ceiling limit.
(g) "Liquid AN" means AN monomer in liquid form, and liquid or semiliquid polymer intermediates, including slurries, suspensions, emulsions, and solutions, produced during the polymerization of AN.
(h) "Polyacrylonitrile" or "PAN" - polyacrylonitrile homopolymers or copolymers, except for materials as exempted under subsection (1)(b) of this section.
(3) Permissible exposure limits.
(a) Inhalation.
(i) Time-weighted average limit (TWA). The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of acrylonitrile in excess of two parts acrylonitrile per million parts of air (2 ppm), as an eight-hour time-weighted average.
(ii) Ceiling limit. The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of acrylonitrile in excess of 10 ppm as averaged over any fifteen-minute period during the working day.
(b) Dermal and eye exposure. The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to skin contact or eye contact with liquid AN or PAN.
(4) Notification of use and emergencies.
(a) Use. Within ten days of the effective date of this standard, or within fifteen days following the introduction of AN into the workplace, every employer shall report, unless he has done so pursuant to the emergency temporary standard, the following information to the director for each such workplace:
(i) The address and location of each workplace in which AN is present;
(ii) A brief description of each process of operation which may result in employee exposure to AN;
(iii) The number of employees engaged in each process or operation who may be exposed to AN and an estimate of the frequency and degree of exposure that occurs; and
(iv) A brief description of the employer's safety and health program as it relates to limitation of employee exposure to AN. Whenever there has been a significant change in the information required by this subsection, the employer shall promptly amend such information previously provided to the director.
(b) Emergencies and remedial action. Emergencies, and the facts obtainable at that time, shall be reported within 24 hours of the initial occurrence to the director. Upon request of the director, the employer shall submit additional information in writing relevant to the nature and extent of employee exposures and measures taken to prevent future emergencies of a similar nature.
(5) Exposure monitoring.
(a) General.
(i) Determinations of airborne exposure levels shall be made from air samples that are representative of each employee's exposure to AN over an eight-hour period.
(ii) For the purposes of this section, employee exposure is that which would occur if the employee were not using a respirator.
(b) Initial monitoring. Each employer who has a place of employment in which AN is present shall monitor each such workplace and work operation to accurately determine the airborne concentrations of AN to which employees may be exposed. Such monitoring may be done on a representative basis, provided that the employer can demonstrate that the determinations are representative of employee exposures.
(c) Frequency.
(i) If the monitoring required by this section reveals employee exposure to be below the action level, the employer may discontinue monitoring for that employee. The employer shall continue these quarterly measurements until at least two consecutive measurements taken at least seven days apart, are below the action level, and thereafter the employer may discontinue monitoring for that employee.
(ii) If the monitoring required by this section reveals employee exposure to be at or above the action level but below the permissible exposure limits, the employer shall repeat such monitoring for each such employee at least quarterly.
(iii) If the monitoring required by this section reveals employee exposure to be in excess of the permissible exposure limits, the employer shall repeat these determinations for each such employee at least monthly. The employer shall continue these monthly measurements until at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least seven days apart, are below the permissible exposure limits, and thereafter the employer shall monitor at least quarterly.
(d) Additional monitoring. Whenever there has been a production, process, control or personnel change which may result in new or additional exposure to AN, or whenever the employer has any other reason to suspect a change which may result in new or additional exposures to AN, additional monitoring which complies with this subsection shall be conducted.
(e) Employee notification.
(i) Within five working days after the receipt of monitoring results, the employer shall notify each employee in writing of the results which represent that employee's exposure.
(ii) Whenever the results indicate that the representative employee exposure exceeds the permissible exposure limits, the employer shall include in the written notice a statement that the permissible exposure limits were exceeded and a description of the corrective action being taken to reduce exposure to or below the permissible exposure limits.
(f) Accuracy of measurement. The method of measurement of employee exposures shall be accurate, to a confidence level of 95 percent, to within plus or minus 25 percent for concentrations of AN at or above the permissible exposure limits, and plus or minus 35 percent for concentrations of AN between the action level and the permissible exposure limits.
(g) Weekly survey of operations involving liquid AN. In addition to monitoring of employee exposures to AN as otherwise required by this subsection, the employer shall survey areas of operations involving liquid AN at least weekly to detect points where AN liquid or vapor are being released into the workplace. The survey shall employ an infra-red gas analyzer calibrated for AN, a multipoint gas chromatographic monitor, or comparable system for detection of AN. A listing of levels detected and areas of AN release, as determined from the survey, shall be posted prominently in the workplace, and shall remain posted until the next survey is completed.
(6) Regulated areas.
(a) The employer shall establish regulated areas where AN concentrations are in excess of the permissible exposure limits.
(b) Regulated areas shall be demarcated and segregated from the rest of the workplace, in any manner that minimizes the number of persons who will be exposed to AN.
(c) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized persons or to persons otherwise authorized by the act or regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(d) The employer shall assure that in the regulated area, food or beverages are not present or consumed, smoking products are not present or used, and cosmetics are not applied, (except that these activities may be conducted in the lunchrooms, change rooms and showers required under subsections (13)(a)-(13)(c) of this section.
(7) Methods of compliance.
(a) Engineering and work practice controls.
(i) The employer shall institute engineering or work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposures to AN, to or below the permissible exposure limits, except to the extent that the employer establishes that such controls are not feasible.
(ii) Wherever the engineering and work practice controls which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the permissible exposure limits, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures to the lowest levels achievable by these controls and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection which complies with the requirements of subsection (8) of this section.
(b) Compliance program.
(i) The employer shall establish and implement a written program to reduce employee exposures to or below the permissible exposure limits solely by means of engineering and work practice controls, as required by subsection (7)(a) of this section.
(ii) Written plans for these compliance programs shall include at least the following:
(A) A description of each operation or process resulting in employee exposure to AN above the permissible exposure limits;
(B) Engineering plans and other studies used to determine the controls for each process;
(C) A report of the technology considered in meeting the permissible exposure limits;
(D) A detailed schedule for the implementation of engineering or work practice controls; and
(E) Other relevant information.
(iii) The employer shall complete the steps set forth in the compliance program by the dates in the schedule.
(iv) Written plans for such a program shall be submitted upon request to the director, and shall be available at the worksite for examination and copying by the director, or any affected employee or representative.
(v) The plans required by this subsection shall be revised and updated at least every six months to reflect the current status of the program.
(8) Respiratory protection.
(a) General. For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must provide respirators that comply with the requirements of this subsection. Respirators must be used during:
(i) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work-practice controls;
(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities or reactor cleaning, for which the employer establishes that engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible;
(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limits;
(iv) In emergencies.
(b) Respirator program.
The employer must implement a respiratory protection
program in accordance with chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E
(except WAC 296-62-07130(1) and 296-62-07150 through
296-62-07156))) 296-842 WAC, except WAC 296-842-13005 and
296-842-14005.
(c) Respirator selection. The employer must select the appropriate respirator from Table I of this subsection.
Concentration of AN or Condition of Use |
Respirator Type | ||
(a) | Less than or equal to 25 x permissible exposure limits. | (i) | Any Type C
supplied air respirator. |
(b) | Less than or equal
to 100 x permissible exposure limits. |
(i) | Any supplied air respirator with full facepiece; or |
(ii) | Any self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece. | ||
(c) | Less than or equal
to 250 x permissible exposure limits |
(i) | Supplied air respirator in positive pressure mode with full facepiece, helmet, hood, or suit. |
(d) | Greater than 250 x permissible exposure limits. | (i) | Supplied air respirator with full facepiece and an auxiliary self-contained air supply, operated in pressure demand mode; or |
(ii) | Open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece in positive pressure mode. | ||
(e) | Emergency entry into unknown concentration or firefighting | (i) | Any self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece in positive pressure mode. |
(f) | Escape. | (i) | Any organic vapor gas mask; or |
(ii) | Any self-contained breathing. |
(a) Written plans.
(i) A written plan for emergency situations shall be developed for each workplace where AN is present. Appropriate portions of the plan shall be implemented in the event of an emergency.
(ii) The plan shall specifically provide that employees engaged in correcting emergency conditions shall be equipped as required in subsection (8) of this section until the emergency is abated.
(b) Alerting employees.
(i) Where there is the possibility of employee exposure to AN in excess of the ceiling limit due to the occurrence of an emergency, a general alarm shall be installed and maintained to promptly alert employees of such occurrences.
(ii) Employees not engaged in correcting the emergency shall be evacuated from the area and shall not be permitted to return until the emergency is abated.
(10) Protective clothing and equipment.
(a) Provision and use. Where eye or skin contact with liquid AN or PAN may occur, the employer shall provide at no cost to the employee, and assure that employees wear, appropriate protective clothing or other equipment in accordance with WAC 296-800-160 to protect any area of the body which may come in contact with liquid AN or PAN.
(b) Cleaning and replacement.
(i) The employer shall clean, launder, maintain, or replace protective clothing and equipment required by this subsection, as needed to maintain their effectiveness. In addition, the employer shall provide clean protective clothing and equipment at least weekly to each affected employee.
(ii) The employer shall assure that impermeable protective clothing which contacts or is likely to have contacted liquid AN shall be decontaminated before being removed by the employee.
(iii) The employer shall assure that AN- or PAN-contaminated protective clothing and equipment is placed and stored in closable containers which prevent dispersion of the AN or PAN outside the container.
(iv) The employer shall assure that an employee whose nonimpermeable clothing becomes wetted with liquid AN shall immediately remove that clothing and proceed to shower. The clothing shall be decontaminated before it is removed from the regulated area.
(v) The employer shall assure that no employee removes AN- or PAN-contaminated protective equipment or clothing from the change room, except for those employees authorized to do so for the purpose of laundering, maintenance, or disposal.
(vi) The employer shall inform any person who launders or cleans AN- or PAN-contaminated protective clothing or equipment of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to AN.
(vii) The employer shall assure that containers of contaminated protective clothing and equipment which are to be removed from the workplace for any reason are labeled in accordance with subsection (16)(c)(ii) of this section, and that such labels remain affixed when such containers leave the employer's workplace.
(11) Housekeeping.
(a) All surfaces shall be maintained free of accumulations of liquid AN and of PAN.
(b) For operations involving liquid AN, the employer shall institute a program for detecting leaks and spills of liquid AN, including regular visual inspections.
(c) Where spills of liquid AN are detected, the employer shall assure that surfaces contacted by the liquid AN are decontaminated. Employees not engaged in decontamination activities shall leave the area of the spill, and shall not be permitted in the area until decontamination is completed.
(d) Liquids. Where AN is present in a liquid form, or as a resultant vapor, all containers or vessels containing AN shall be enclosed to the maximum extent feasible and tightly covered when not in use, with adequate provision made to avoid any resulting potential explosion hazard.
(e) Surfaces.
(i) Dry sweeping and the use of compressed air for the cleaning of floors and other surfaces where AN and PAN are found is prohibited.
(ii) Where vacuuming methods are selected, either portable units or a permanent system may be used.
(A) If a portable unit is selected, the exhaust shall be attached to the general workplace exhaust ventilation system or collected within the vacuum unit, equipped with high efficiency filters or other appropriate means of contaminant removal, so that AN is not reintroduced into the workplace air; and
(B) Portable vacuum units used to collect AN may not be used for other cleaning purposes and shall be labeled as prescribed by subsection (16)(c)(ii) of this section.
(iii) Cleaning of floors and other contaminated surfaces may not be performed by washing down with a hose, unless a fine spray has first been laid down.
(12) Waste disposal. AN and PAN waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers or equipment, shall be disposed of in sealed bags or other closed containers which prevent dispersion of AN outside the container, and labeled as prescribed in subsection (16)(c)(ii) of this section.
(13) Hygiene facilities and practices. Where employees are exposed to airborne concentrations of AN above the permissible exposure limits, or where employees are required to wear protective clothing or equipment pursuant to subsection (11) of this section, or where otherwise found to be appropriate, the facilities required by WAC 296-800-230 shall be provided by the employer for the use of those employees, and the employer shall assure that the employees use the facilities provided. In addition, the following facilities or requirements are mandated.
(a) Change rooms. The employer shall provide clean change rooms in accordance with WAC 296-800-230.
(b) Showers.
(i) The employer shall provide shower facilities in accordance with WAC 296-800-230.
(ii) In addition, the employer shall also assure that employees exposed to liquid AN and PAN shower at the end of the work shift.
(iii) The employer shall assure that, in the event of skin or eye exposure to liquid AN, the affected employee shall shower immediately to minimize the danger of skin absorption.
(c) Lunchrooms.
(i) Whenever food or beverages are consumed in the workplace, the employer shall provide lunchroom facilities which have a temperature controlled, positive pressure, filtered air supply, and which are readily accessible to employees exposed to AN above the permissible exposure limits.
(ii) In addition, the employer shall also assure that employees exposed to AN above the permissible exposure limits wash their hands and face prior to eating.
(14) Medical surveillance.
(a) General.
(i) The employer shall institute a program of medical surveillance for each employee who is or will be exposed to AN above the action level. The employer shall provide each such employee with an opportunity for medical examinations and tests in accordance with this subsection.
(ii) The employer shall assure that all medical examinations and procedures are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, and shall be provided without cost to the employee.
(b) Initial examinations. At the time of initial assignment, or upon institution of the medical surveillance program, the employer shall provide each affected employee an opportunity for a medical examination, including at least the following elements:
(i) A work history and medical history with special attention to skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, and those nonspecific symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, or other central nervous system dysfunctions that may be associated with acute or chronic exposure to AN.
(ii) A physical examination giving particular attention to central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, skin and thyroid.
(iii) A 14" x 17" posteroanterior chest X ray.
(iv) Further tests of the intestinal tract, including fecal occult blood screening, and proctosigmoidoscopy, for all workers 40 years of age or older, and for any other affected employees for whom, in the opinion of the physician, such testing is appropriate.
(c) Periodic examinations.
(i) The employer shall provide examinations specified in this subsection at least annually for all employees specified in subsection (14)(a) of this section.
(ii) If an employee has not had the examinations prescribed in subsection (14)(b) of this section within six months of termination of employment, the employer shall make such examination available to the employee upon such termination.
(d) Additional examinations. If the employee for any reason develops signs or symptoms commonly associated with exposure to AN, the employer shall provide appropriate examination and emergency medical treatment.
(e) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall provide the following information to the examining physician:
(i) A copy of this standard and its appendices;
(ii) A description of the affected employee's duties as they relate to the employee's exposure;
(iii) The employee's representative exposure level;
(iv) The employee's anticipated or estimated exposure level (for preplacement examinations or in cases of exposure due to an emergency);
(v) A description of any personal protective equipment used or to be used; and
(vi) Information from previous medical examinations of the affected employee, which is not otherwise available to the examining physician.
(f) Physician's written opinion.
(i) The employer shall obtain a written opinion from the examining physician which shall include:
(A) The results of the medical examination and test performed;
(B) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee has any detected medical condition which would place the employee at an increased risk of material impairment of the employee's health from exposure to AN;
(C) Any recommended limitations upon the employee's exposure to AN or upon the use of protective clothing and equipment such as respirators; and
(D) A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician of the results of the medical examination and any medical conditions which require further examination or treatment.
(ii) The employer shall instruct the physician not to reveal in the written opinion specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure to AN.
(iii) The employer shall provide a copy of the written opinion to the affected employee.
(15) Employee information and training.
(a) Training program.
(i) The employer shall institute a training program for all employees where there is occupational exposure to AN and shall assure their participation in the training program.
(ii) The training program shall be provided at the time of initial assignment, or upon institution of the training program, and at least annually thereafter, and the employer shall assure that each employee is informed of the following:
(A) The information contained in Appendices A, B and C;
(B) The quantity, location, manner of use, release or storage of AN and the specific nature of operations which could result in exposure to AN, as well as any necessary protective steps;
(C) The purpose, proper use, and limitations of respirators and protective clothing;
(D) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by subsection (14) of this section;
(E) The emergency procedures developed, as required by subsection (9) of this section; and
(F) The engineering and work practice controls, their function and the employee's relationship thereto; and
(G) A review of this standard.
(b) Access to training materials.
(i) The employer shall make a copy of this standard and its appendices readily available to all affected employees.
(ii) The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials relating to the employee information and training program to the director.
(16) Signs and labels.
(a) General.
(i) The employer may use labels or signs required by other statutes, regulations, or ordinances in addition to, or in combination with, signs and labels required by this subsection.
(ii) The employer shall assure that no statement appears on or near any sign or label, required by this subsection, which contradicts or detracts from such effects of the required sign or label.
(b) Signs.
(i) The employer shall post signs to clearly indicate all
workplaces where AN concentrations exceed the permissible
exposure limits. The signs shall bear the following legend:
ACRYLONITRILE (AN)
CANCER HAZARD
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
RESPIRATORS REQUIRED
(c) Labels.
(i) The employer shall assure that precautionary labels are affixed to all containers of AN, and to containers of PAN and products fabricated from PAN, except for those materials for which objective data is provided as to the conditions specified in subsection (1)(b) of this section. The employer shall assure that the labels remain affixed when the AN or PAN are sold, distributed or otherwise leave the employer's workplace.
(ii) The employer shall assure that the precautionary
labels required by this subsection are readily visible and
legible. The labels shall bear the following legend:
CONTAINS ACRYLONITRILE (AN)
CANCER HAZARD
(a) Objective data for exempted operations.
(i) Where the processing, use, and handling of products fabricated from PAN are exempted pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section, the employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of objective data reasonably relied upon in support of the exemption.
(ii) This record shall include the following information:
(A) The relevant condition in subsection (1)(b) upon which exemption is based;
(B) The source of the objective data;
(C) The testing protocol, results of testing, and/or analysis of the material for the release of AN;
(D) A description of the operation exempted and how the data supports the exemption; and
(E) Other data relevant to the operations, materials, and processing covered by the exemption.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for the duration of the employer's reliance upon such objective data.
(b) Exposure monitoring.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of all monitoring required by subsection (5) of this section.
(ii) This record shall include:
(A) The dates, number, duration, and results of each of the samples taken, including a description of the sampling procedure used to determine representative employee exposure;
(B) A description of the sampling and analytical methods used and the data relied upon to establish that the methods used meet the accuracy and precision requirements of subsection (5)(f) of this section;
(C) Type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any; and
(D) Name, social security number and job classification of the employee monitored and of all other employees whose exposure the measurement is intended to represent.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least 40 years or the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer.
(c) Medical surveillance.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject to medical surveillance as required by subsection (14) of this section.
(ii) This record shall include:
(A) A copy of the physicians' written opinions;
(B) Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to AN;
(C) A copy of the information provided to the physician as required by subsection (14)(f) of this section; and
(D) A copy of the employee's medical and work history.
(iii) The employer shall assure that this record be maintained for at least forty years or for the duration of employment plus twenty years, whichever is longer.
(d) Availability.
(i) The employer shall assure that all records required to be maintained by this section be made available upon request to the director for examination and copying.
(ii) Records required by subdivisions (a) through (c) of this subsection shall be provided upon request to employees, designated representatives, and the assistant director in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC. Records required by subdivision (a) of this section shall be provided in the same manner as exposure monitoring records.
(iii) The employer shall assure that employee medical records required to be maintained by this section, be made available, upon request, for examination and copying, to the affected employee or former employee, or to a physician designated by the affected employee, former employee, or designated representative.
(e) Transfer of records.
(i) Whenever the employer ceases to do business, the successor employer shall receive and retain all records required to be maintained by this section.
(ii) Whenever the employer ceases to do business and there is no successor employer to receive and retain the records for the prescribed period, these records shall be transmitted to the director.
(iii) At the expiration of the retention period for the records required to be maintained pursuant to this section, the employer shall transmit these records to the director.
(iv) The employer shall also comply with any additional requirements involving transfer of records set forth in chapter 296-802 WAC.
(18) Observation of monitoring.
(a) Employee observation. The employer shall provide affected employees, or their designated representatives, an opportunity to observe any monitoring of employee exposure to AN conducted pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.
(b) Observation procedures.
(i) Whenever observation of the monitoring of employee exposure to AN requires entry into an area where the use of protective clothing or equipment is required, the employer shall provide the observer with personal protective clothing or equipment required to be worn by employees working in the area, assure the use of such clothing and equipment, and require the observer to comply with all other applicable safety and health procedures.
(ii) Without interfering with the monitoring, observers shall be entitled:
(A) To receive an explanation of the measurement procedures;
(B) To observe all steps related to the measurement of airborne concentrations of AN performed at the place of exposure; and
(C) To record the results obtained.
(19) Appendices. The information contained in the appendices is not intended, by itself, to create any additional obligation not otherwise imposed, or to detract from any obligation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-10-026, § 296-62-07336, filed 4/27/04, effective 8/1/04; 03-18-090, § 296-62-07336, filed 9/2/03, effective 11/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 01-11-038, § 296-62-07336, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-10-071, § 296-62-07336, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 88-11-021 (Order 88-04), § 296-62-07336, filed 5/11/88.]
(a) This section applies to occupational exposure to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP).
(b) This section does not apply to:
(i) Exposure to DBCP which results solely from the application and use of DBCP as a pesticide; or
(ii) The storage, transportation, distribution or sale of DBCP in intact containers sealed in such a manner as to prevent exposure to DBCP vapors or liquids, except for the requirements of subsections (11), (16) and (17) of this section.
(2) Definitions applicable to this section:
(a) "Authorized person" - any person specifically authorized by the employer and whose duties require the person to be present in areas where DBCP is present; and any person entering this area as a designated representative of employees exercising an opportunity to observe employee exposure monitoring.
(b) "DBCP" - 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 96-12-8, and includes all forms of DBCP.
(c) "Director" - the director of labor and industries, or his authorized representative.
(d) "Emergency" - any occurrence such as, but not limited to equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment which may, or does, result in unexpected release of DBCP.
(3) Permissible exposure limits.
(a) Inhalation.
(i) Time-weighted average limit (TWA). The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration in excess of 1 part DBCP per billion part of air (ppb) as an eight-hour time-weighted average.
(ii) Ceiling limit. The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration in excess of 5 parts DBCP per billion parts of air (ppb) as averaged over any 15 minutes during the working day.
(b) Dermal and eye exposure. The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to eye or skin contact with DBCP.
(4) Notification of use. Within ten days of the effective date of this section or within ten days following the introduction of DBCP into the workplace, every employer who has a workplace where DBCP is present shall report the following information to the director for each such workplace:
(a) The address and location of each workplace in which DBCP is present;
(b) A brief description of each process or operation which may result in employee exposure to DBCP;
(c) The number of employees engaged in each process or operation who may be exposed to DBCP and an estimate of the frequency and degree of exposure that occurs;
(d) A brief description of the employer's safety and health program as it relates to limitation of employee exposure to DBCP.
(5) Regulated areas. The employer shall establish, within each place of employment, regulated areas wherever DBCP concentrations are in excess of the permissible exposure limit.
(a) The employer shall limit access to regulated areas to authorized persons.
(b) All employees entering or working in a regulated area shall wear respiratory protection in accordance with Table I.
(6) Exposure monitoring.
(a) General. Determinations of airborne exposure levels shall be made from air samples that are representative of each employee's exposure to DBCP over an eight-hour period. (For the purposes of this section, employee exposure is that exposure which would occur if the employee were not using a respirator.)
(b) Initial. Each employer who has a place of employment in which DBCP is present shall monitor each workplace and work operation to accurately determine the airborne concentrations of DBCP to which employees may be exposed.
(c) Frequency.
(i) If the monitoring required by this section reveals employee exposures to be below the permissible exposure limits, the employer shall repeat these determinations at least quarterly.
(ii) If the monitoring required by this section reveals employee exposure to be in excess of the permissible exposure limits, the employer shall repeat these determinations for each such employee at least monthly. The employer shall continue these monthly determinations until at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least seven days apart, are below the permissible exposure limit, thereafter the employer shall monitor at least quarterly.
(d) Additional. Whenever there has been a production process, control or personnel change which may result in any new or additional exposure to DBCP, or whenever the employer has any other reason to suspect a change which may result in new or additional exposure to DBCP, additional monitoring which complies with subsection (6) shall be conducted.
(e) Employee notification.
(i) Within five working days after the receipt of monitoring results, the employer shall notify each employee in writing of results which represent the employee's exposure.
(ii) Whenever the results indicate that employee exposure exceeds the permissible exposure limit, the employer shall include in the written notice a statement that the permissible exposure limit was exceeded and a description of the corrective action being taken to reduce exposure to or below the permissible exposure limits.
(f) Accuracy of measurement. The method of measurement shall be accurate, to a confidence level of 95 percent, to within plus or minus 25 percent for concentrations of DBCP at or above the permissible exposure limits.
(7) Methods of compliance.
(a) Priority of compliance methods. The employer shall institute engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposures to DBCP at or below the permissible exposure limit, except to the extent that the employer establishes that such controls are not feasible. Where feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to within the permissible exposure limit, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures to the lowest level achievable by these controls, and shall supplement them by use of respiratory protection.
(b) Compliance program.
(i) The employer shall establish and implement a written program to reduce employee exposure to DBCP to or below the permissible exposure limit solely by means of engineering and work practice controls as required by this section.
(ii) The written program shall include a detailed schedule for development and implementation of the engineering and work practice controls. These plans shall be revised at least every six months to reflect the current status of the program.
(iii) Written plans for these compliance programs shall be submitted upon request to the director, and shall be available at the worksite for examination and copying by the director, and any affected employee or designated representative of employees.
(iv) The employer shall institute and maintain at least the controls described in his most recent written compliance program.
(8) Respiratory protection.
(a) General. For employees who are required to use respirators under this section, the employer must provide respirators that comply with the requirements of this subsection. Respirators must be used during:
(i) Period necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work-practice controls;
(ii) Maintenance and repair activities for which engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible;
(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit;
(iv) Emergencies.
(b) The employer must establish, implement, and maintain
a respiratory protection program as required by chapter
((296-62 WAC, Part E (except WAC 296-62-07130(1) and
296-62-07150 through 296-62-07156))) 296-842 WAC, except WAC 296-842-13005 and 296-842-14005.
(c) Respirator selection. The employer must select the appropriate respirator from Table I of this subsection.
Concentration Not Greater Than |
Respirator Type | ||
(a) | 10 ppb: | (i) | Any supplied-air respirator. |
(ii) | Any self-contained breathing apparatus. | ||
(b) | 50 ppb: | (i) | Any supplied-air respirator with full facepiece, helmet or hood. |
(ii) | Any self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece. | ||
(c) | 250 ppb: | (i) | A Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous flow mode. |
(d) | 500 ppb: | (i) | A Type C supplied-air respirator with full facepiece operated in pressure-demand mode with full facepiece. |
(e) | Greater than 500 ppb or entry into unknown concentrations: | (i) | A combination respirator which includes a Type C supplied-air respirator with full facepiece operated in pressure-demand mode and an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus. |
(ii) | A self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in pressure-demand mode. | ||
(f) | Fire fighting: | (i) | A self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in pressure-demand mode. |
(10) Emergency situations.
(a) Written plans.
(i) A written plan for emergency situations shall be developed for each workplace in which DBCP is present.
(ii) Appropriate portions of the plan shall be implemented in the event of an emergency.
(b) Employees engaged in correcting conditions shall be equipped as required in subsection (11) of this section until the emergency is abated.
(c) Evacuation. Employees not engaged in correcting the emergency shall be removed and restricted from the area and normal operations in the affected area shall not be resumed until the emergency is abated.
(d) Alerting employees. Where there is a possibility of employee exposure to DBCP due to the occurrence of an emergency, a general alarm shall be installed and maintained to promptly alert employees of such occurrences.
(e) Medical surveillance. For any employee exposed to DBCP in an emergency situation, the employer shall provide medical surveillance in accordance with subsection (14) of this section.
(f) Exposure monitoring.
(i) Following an emergency, the employer shall conduct monitoring which complies with subsection (6) of this section.
(ii) In workplaces not normally subject to periodic monitoring, the employer may terminate monitoring when two consecutive measurements indicate exposures below the permissible exposure limit.
(11) Protective clothing and equipment.
(a) Provision and use. Where eye or skin contact with liquid or solid DBCP may occur, employers shall provide at no cost to the employee, and assure that employees wear impermeable protective clothing and equipment in accordance with WAC 296-800-160 to protect the area of the body which may come in contact with DBCP.
(b) Cleaning and replacement.
(i) The employer shall clean, launder, maintain, or replace protective clothing and equipment required by this subsection to maintain their effectiveness. In addition, the employer shall provide clean protective clothing and equipment at least daily to each affected employee.
(ii) Removal and storage.
(A) The employer shall assure that employees remove DBCP contaminated work clothing only in change rooms provided in accordance with subsection (13) of this section.
(B) The employer shall assure that employees promptly remove any protective clothing and equipment which becomes contaminated with DBCP-containing liquids and solids. This clothing shall not be reworn until the DBCP has been removed from the clothing or equipment.
(C) The employer shall assure that no employee takes DBCP contaminated protective devices and work clothing out of the change room, except those employees authorized to do so for the purpose of laundering, maintenance, or disposal.
(iii) The employer shall assure that DBCP-contaminated protective work clothing and equipment is placed and stored in closed containers which prevent dispersion of DBCP outside the container.
(iv) The employer shall inform any person who launders or cleans DBCP-contaminated protective clothing or equipment of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to DBCP.
(v) The employer shall assure that the containers of contaminated protective clothing and equipment which are to be removed from the workplace for any reason are labeled in accordance with subsection (16)(c) of this section.
(vi) The employer shall prohibit the removal of DBCP from protective clothing and equipment by blowing or shaking.
(12) Housekeeping.
(a) Surfaces.
(i) All surfaces shall be maintained free of accumulations of DBCP.
(ii) Dry sweeping and the use of air for the cleaning of floors and other surfaces where DBCP dust or liquids are found is prohibited.
(iii) Where vacuuming methods are selected, either portable units or a permanent system may be used.
(A) If a portable unit is selected, the exhaust shall be attached to the general workplace exhaust ventilation system or collected within the vacuum unit, equipped with high efficiency filters or other appropriate means of contaminant removal, so that DBCP is not reintroduced into the workplace air; and
(B) Portable vacuum units used to collect DBCP may not be used for other cleaning purposes and shall be labeled as prescribed by subsection (16)(c) of this section.
(iv) Cleaning of floors and other contaminated surfaces may not be performed by washing down with a hose, unless a fine spray has first been laid down.
(b) Liquids. Where DBCP is present in a liquid form, or as a resultant vapor, all containers or vessels containing DBCP shall be enclosed to the maximum extent feasible and tightly covered when not in use.
(c) Waste disposal. DBCP waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers or equipment, shall be disposed in sealed bags or other closed containers which prevent dispersion of DBCP outside the container.
(13) Hygiene facilities and practices.
(a) Change rooms. The employer shall provide clean change rooms equipped with storage facilities for street clothes and separate storage facilities for protective clothing and equipment whenever employees are required to wear protective clothing and equipment in accordance with subsections (8), (9) and (11) of this section.
(b) Showers.
(i) The employer shall assure that employees working in the regulated area shower at the end of the work shift.
(ii) The employer shall assure that employees whose skin becomes contaminated with DBCP-containing liquids or solids immediately wash or shower to remove any DBCP from the skin.
(iii) The employer shall provide shower facilities in accordance with WAC 296-800-230.
(c) Lunchrooms. The employer shall provide lunchroom facilities which have a temperature controlled, positive pressure, filtered air supply, and which are readily accessible to employees working in regulated areas.
(d) Lavatories.
(i) The employer shall assure that employees working in the regulated area remove protective clothing and wash their hands and face prior to eating.
(ii) The employer shall provide a sufficient number of lavatory facilities which comply with WAC 296-800-230.
(e) Prohibition of activities in regulated areas. The employer shall assure that, in regulated areas, food or beverages are not present or consumed, smoking products and implements are not present or used, and cosmetics are not present or applied.
(14) Medical surveillance.
(a) General. The employer shall institute a program of medical surveillance for each employee who is or will be exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, to DBCP. The employer shall provide each such employee with an opportunity for medical examinations and tests in accordance with this subsection. All medical examinations and procedures shall be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, and shall be provided without cost to the employee.
(b) Frequency and content. At the time of initial assignment, annually thereafter, and whenever exposure to DBCP occurs, the employer shall provide a medical examination for employees who work in regulated areas, which includes at least the following:
(i) A complete medical and occupational history with emphasis on reproductive history.
(ii) A complete physical examination with emphasis on the genito-urinary tract, testicle size, and body habitus including the following tests:
(A) Sperm count;
(B) Complete urinalysis (U/A);
(C) Complete blood count; and
(D) Thyroid profile.
(iii) A serum specimen shall be obtained and the following determinations made by radioimmunoassay techniques utilizing National Institutes of Health (NIH) specific antigen or one of equivalent sensitivity:
(A) Serum multiphasic analysis (SMA 12);
(B) Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH);
(C) Serum luteinizing hormone (LH); and
(D) Serum estrogen (females).
(iv) Any other tests deemed appropriate by the examining physician.
(c) Additional examinations. If the employee for any reason develops signs or symptoms commonly associated with exposure to DBCP, the employer shall provide the employee with a medical examination which shall include those elements considered appropriate by the examining physician.
(d) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall provide the following information to the examining physician:
(i) A copy of this standard and its appendices;
(ii) A description of the affected employee's duties as they relate to the employee's exposure;
(iii) The level of DBCP to which the employee is exposed; and
(iv) A description of any personal protective equipment used or to be used.
(e) Physician's written opinion.
(i) For each examination under this section, the employer shall obtain and provide the employee with a written opinion from the examining physician which shall include:
(A) The results of the medical tests performed;
(B) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee has any detected medical condition which would place the employee at an increased risk of material impairment of health from exposure to DBCP;
(C) Any recommended limitations upon the employee's exposure to DBCP or upon the use of protective clothing and equipment such as respirators; and
(D) A statement that the employee was informed by the physician of the results of the medical examination, and any medical conditions which require further examination or treatment.
(ii) The employer shall instruct the physician not to reveal in the written opinion specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure to DBCP.
(iii) The employer shall provide a copy of the written opinion to the affected employee.
(f) Emergency situations. If the employee is exposed to DBCP in an emergency situation, the employer shall provide the employee with a sperm count test as soon as practicable, or, if the employee is unable to produce a semen specimen, the hormone tests contained in subsection (14)(b) of this section. The employer shall provide these same tests three months later.
(15) Employee information and training.
(a) Training program.
(i) Within thirty days of the effective date of this standard, the employer shall institute a training program for all employees who may be exposed to DBCP and shall assure their participation in such training program.
(ii) The employer shall assure that each employee is informed of the following:
(A) The information contained in Appendices A, B and C;
(B) The quantity, location, manner of use, release or storage of DBCP and the specific nature of operations which could result in exposure to DBCP as well as any necessary protective steps;
(C) The purpose, proper use, limitations, and other training requirements covering respiratory protection as required in chapter 296-62 WAC, Part E;
(D) The purpose and description of the medical surveillance program required by subsection (14) of this section; and
(E) A review of this standard.
(b) Access to training materials.
(i) The employer shall make a copy of this standard and its appendices readily available to all affected employees.
(ii) The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials relating to the employee information and training program to the director.
(16) Signs and labels.
(a) General.
(i) The employer may use labels or signs required by other statutes, regulations, or ordinances in addition to or in combination with, signs and labels required by this subsection.
(ii) The employer shall assure that no statement appears on or near any sign or label required by this subsection which contradicts or detracts from the required sign or label.
(b) Signs.
(i) The employer shall post signs to clearly indicate all
work areas where DBCP may be present. These signs shall bear
the legend:
DANGER |
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane |
(Insert appropriate trade or common names) |
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
(i) The employer shall assure that precautionary labels are affixed to all containers of DBCP and of products containing DBCP, and that the labels remain affixed when the DBCP or products containing DBCP are sold, distributed, or otherwise leave the employer's workplace. Where DBCP or products containing DBCP are sold, distributed or otherwise leave the employer's workplace bearing appropriate labels required by EPA under the regulations in 40 CFR Part 162, the labels required by this subsection need not be affixed.
(ii) The employer shall assure that the precautionary
labels required by this subsection are readily visible and
legible. The labels shall bear the following legend:
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane
CANCER HAZARD
(a) Exposure monitoring.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of all monitoring required by subsection (6) of this section.
(ii) This record shall include:
(A) The dates, number, duration and results of each of the samples taken, including a description of the sampling procedure used to determine representative employee exposure;
(B) A description of the sampling and analytical methods used;
(C) Type of respiratory worn, if any; and
(D) Name, Social Security number, and job classification of the employee monitored and of all other employees whose exposure the measurement is intended to represent.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least forty years or the duration of employment plus twenty years, whichever is longer.
(b) Medical surveillance.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject to medical surveillance required by subsection (14) of this section.
(ii) This record shall include:
(A) The name and Social Security number of the employee;
(B) A copy of the physician's written opinion;
(C) Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to DBCP;
(D) A copy of the information provided the physician as required by subsection (14)(c) of this section; and
(E) A copy of the employee's medical and work history.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least forty years or the duration of employment plus twenty years, whichever is longer.
(c) Availability.
(i) The employer shall assure that all records required to be maintained by this section be made available upon request to the director for examination and copying.
(ii) Employee exposure monitoring records and employee medical records required by this subsection shall be provided upon request to employees' designated representatives and the assistant director in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(d) Transfer of records.
(i) If the employer ceases to do business, the successor employer shall receive and retain all records required to be maintained by this section for the prescribed period.
(ii) If the employer ceases to do business and there is no successor employer to receive and retain the records for the prescribed period, the employer shall transmit these records by mail to the director.
(iii) At the expiration of the retention period for the records required to be maintained under this section, the employer shall transmit these records by mail to the director.
(iv) The employer shall also comply with any additional requirements involving transfer of records set forth in chapter 296-802 WAC.
(18) Observation of monitoring.
(a) Employee observation. The employer shall provide affected employees, or their designated representatives, an opportunity to observe any monitoring of employee exposure to DBCP conducted under subsection (6) of this section.
(b) Observation procedures.
(i) Whenever observation of the measuring or monitoring of employee exposure to DBCP requires entry into an area where the use of protective clothing or equipment is required, the employer shall provide the observer with personal protective clothing or equipment required to be worn by employees working in the area, assure the use of such clothing and equipment, and require the observer to comply with all other applicable safety and health procedures.
(ii) Without interfering with the monitoring or measurement, observers shall be entitled to:
(A) Receive an explanation of the measurement procedures;
(B) Observe all steps related to the measurement of airborne concentrations of DBCP performed at the place of exposure; and
(C) Record the results obtained.
(19) Appendices. The information contained in the appendices is not intended, by itself, to create any additional obligations not otherwise imposed or to detract from any existing obligation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-10-026, § 296-62-07342, filed 4/27/04, effective 8/1/04; 03-18-090, § 296-62-07342, filed 9/2/03, effective 11/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 01-11-038, § 296-62-07342, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-10-071, § 296-62-07342, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 96-09-030, § 296-62-07342, filed 4/10/96, effective 6/1/96; 88-11-021 (Order 88-04), § 296-62-07342, filed 5/11/88.]
(a) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work-practice controls;
(b) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities, vessel cleaning, or other activities, for which engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible;
(c) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the TWA or excursion limit;
(d) Emergencies.
(2) Respirator program. The employer must establish,
implement, and maintain a respiratory protection program as
required in chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E (except WAC 296-62-07130(1) and 296-62-07150 through 296-62-07156)))
296-842 WAC, except WAC 296-842-13005 and 296-842-14005.
(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select the appropriate respirator from Table 1 of this section.
Table 1. -- Minimum Requirements for Respiratory Protection for Airborne EtO
Condition of use or concentration of airborne EtO (ppm) |
Minimum required respirator | |
Equal to or less than 50 |
(a) | Full facepiece respirator with EtO approved canister, front- or back-mounted. |
Equal to or less than 2,000 | (a) | Positive-pressure supplied air respirator, equipped with full facepiece, hood or helmet, or |
(b) | Continuous-flow supplied air respirator (positive pressure) equipped with hood, helmet or suit. | |
Concentration above 2,000 or unknown concentration (such as in emergencies) | (a) | Positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), equipped with full facepiece, or |
(b) | Positive-pressure full facepiece supplied air respirator equipped with an auxiliary positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus. | |
Fire fighting | (a) | Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus equipped with full facepiece. |
Escape | (a) | Any respirator described above. |
Note: | Respirators approved for use in higher concentrations are permitted to be used in lower concentrations. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. 01-11-038, § 296-62-07367, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-10-071, § 296-62-07367, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-20-057 (Order 94-16), § 296-62-07367, filed 9/30/94, effective 11/20/94; 88-23-054 (Order 88-25), § 296-62-07367, filed 11/14/88; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), § 296-62-07367, filed 11/30/87.]
(a) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work-practice controls when employee exposure levels exceed the PEL;
(b) Maintenance and repair activities, and brief or intermittent operations, where employee exposures exceed the PEL and engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible or are not required;
(c) Activities in regulated areas as specified in WAC 296-62-07409;
(d) Work operations for which the employer has implemented all feasible engineering and work-practice controls and such controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the PEL;
(e) Work operations for which an employee who is exposed to cadmium at or above the action level, and the employee requests a respirator;
(f) Work operations for which an employee is exposed above the PEL and engineering controls are not required by WAC 296-62-07411 (1)(b); and
(g) Emergencies.
(2) Respirator program.
(a) The employer must implement a respiratory protection
program as required by chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E (except
WAC 296-62-07130(1) and 296-62-07150 through 296-62-07156)))
296-842 WAC, except WAC 296-842-13005 and 296-842-14005.
(b) No employees must use a respirator if, based on their recent medical examination, the examining physician determines that they will be unable to continue to function normally while using a respirator. If the physician determines that the employee must be limited in, or removed from, their current job because of their inability to use a respirator, the limitation or removal must be in accordance with WAC 296-62-07423 (11) and (12).
(c) If an employee has breathing difficulty during fit testing or respirator use, the employer must provide the employee with a medical examination as required by WAC 296-62-07423 (6)(b) to determine if the employee can use a respirator while performing the required duties.
(3) Respirator selection.
(a) The employer must select the appropriate respirator from Table 2 of this section.
Airborne concentration or condition of usea | Required respirator typeb |
10 x or less | A half mask, air-purifying respirator equipped with a HEPAc filterd. |
25 x or less | A powered air-purifying respirator ("PAPR") with a loose-fitting hood or helmet equipped with a HEPA filter, or a supplied-air respirator with a loose-fitting hood or helmet facepiece operated in the continuous flow mode. |
50 x or less | A full facepiece air-purifying respirator equipped with a HEPA filter, or a powered air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting half mask equipped with a HEPA filter, or a supplied air respirator with a tight-fitting half mask operated in the continuous flow mode. |
250 x or less | A powered air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting full facepiece equipped with a HEPA filter, or a supplied-air respirator with a tight-fitting full facepiece operated in the continuous flow mode. |
1000 x or less | A supplied-air respirator with half mask or full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. |
>1000 x or unknown concentrations | A self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode, or a supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode and equipped with an auxiliary escape type self-contained breathing apparatus operated in the pressure demand mode. |
Fire fighting | A self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. |
a | Concentratrations expressed as multiple of the PEL. |
b | Respirators assigned for higher environmental concentrations may be used at lower exposure levels. Quantitative fit testing is required for all tight-fitting air purifying respirators where airborne concentration of cadmium exceeds 10 times the TWA PEL (10x5 µg/m3 = 50 µg/m3). A full facepiece respirator is required when eye irritation is experienced. |
c | HEPA means High Efficiency Particulate Air. |
d | Fit testing, qualitative or quantitative, is required. |
SOURCE: | Respiratory Decision Logic, NIOSH, 1987 |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. 99-10-071, § 296-62-07413, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 93-21-075 (Order 93-06), § 296-62-07413, filed 10/20/93, effective 12/1/93; 93-07-044 (Order 93-01), § 296-62-07413, filed 3/13/93, effective 4/27/93.]
(a) This section applies to all occupational exposures to 1,3-Butadiene (BD), Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 106-99-0, except as provided in (b) of this subsection.
(b)(i) Except for the recordkeeping provisions in subsection (13)(a) of this section, this section does not apply to the processing, use, or handling of products containing BD or to other work operations and streams in which BD is present where objective data are reasonably relied upon that demonstrate the work operation or the product or the group of products or operations to which it belongs may not reasonably be foreseen to release BD in airborne concentrations at or above the action level or in excess of the STEL under the expected conditions of processing, use, or handling that will cause the greatest possible release or in any plausible accident.
(ii) This section also does not apply to work operations, products or streams where the only exposure to BD is from liquid mixtures containing 0.1% or less of BD by volume or the vapors released from such liquids, unless objective data become available that show that airborne concentrations generated by such mixtures can exceed the action level or STEL under reasonably predictable conditions of processing, use or handling that will cause the greatest possible release.
(iii) Except for labeling requirements and requirements for emergency response, this section does not apply to the storage, transportation, distribution or sale of BD or liquid mixtures in intact containers or in transportation pipelines sealed in such a manner as to fully contain BD vapors or liquids.
(c) Where products or processes containing BD are exempted under (b) of this subsection, the employer shall maintain records of the objective data supporting that exemption and the basis for the employer's reliance on the data, as provided in subsection (13)(a) of this section.
(2) Definitions: For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
"Action level" means a concentration of airborne BD of 0.5 ppm calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
"Director" means the director of the department of labor and industries, or authorized representatives.
"Authorized person" means any person specifically designated by the employer, whose duties require entrance into a regulated area, or a person entering such an area as a designated representative of employees to exercise the right to observe monitoring and measuring procedures under subsection (4)(h) of this section, or a person designated under the WISH Act or regulations issued under the WISH Act to enter a regulated area.
"1,3-Butadiene" means an organic compound with chemical formula CH(2)=CH-CH=CH(2) that has a molecular weight of approximately 54.15 gm/mole.
"Business day" means any Monday through Friday, except those days designated as federal, state, local or company specific holidays.
"Complete blood count (CBC)" means laboratory tests performed on whole blood specimens and includes the following: White blood cell count (WBC), hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hgb), differential count of white blood cells, red blood cell morphology, red blood cell indices, and platelet count.
"Day" means any part of a calendar day.
"Emergency situation" means any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment that may or does result in an uncontrolled significant release of BD.
"Employee exposure" means exposure of a worker to airborne concentrations of BD which would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protective equipment.
"Objective data" means monitoring data, or mathematical modelling or calculations based on composition, chemical and physical properties of a material, stream or product.
"Permissible exposure limits (PELs)" means either the 8-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) exposure or the short-term exposure limit (STEL).
"Physician or other licensed health care professional" is an individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (i.e., license, registration, or certification) allows him or her to independently provide or be delegated the responsibility to provide one or more of the specific health care services required by (k) of this subsection.
"Regulated area" means any area where airborne concentrations of BD exceed or can reasonably be expected to exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) exposure of 1 ppm or the short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 5 ppm for 15 minutes.
"This section" means this 1,3-butadiene standard.
(3) Permissible exposure limits (PELs).
(a) Time-weighted average (TWA) limit. The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of BD in excess of one part BD per million parts of air (ppm) measured as an eight (8)-hour time-weighted average.
(b) Short-term exposure limit (STEL). The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of BD in excess of five parts of BD per million parts of air (5 ppm) as determined over a sampling period of fifteen minutes.
(4) Exposure monitoring.
(a) General.
(i) Determinations of employee exposure shall be made from breathing zone air samples that are representative of the 8-hour TWA and 15-minute short-term exposures of each employee.
(ii) Representative 8-hour TWA employee exposure shall be determined on the basis of one or more samples representing full-shift exposure for each shift and for each job classification in each work area.
(iii) Representative 15-minute short-term employee exposures shall be determined on the basis of one or more samples representing 15-minute exposures associated with operations that are most likely to produce exposures above the STEL for each shift and for each job classification in each work area.
(iv) Except for the initial monitoring required under (b) of this subsection, where the employer can document that exposure levels are equivalent for similar operations on different work shifts, the employer need only determine representative employee exposure for that operation from the shift during which the highest exposure is expected.
(b) Initial monitoring.
(i) Each employer who has a workplace or work operation covered by this section, shall perform initial monitoring to determine accurately the airborne concentrations of BD to which employees may be exposed, or shall rely on objective data pursuant to subsection (1)(b)(i) of this section to fulfill this requirement.
(ii) Where the employer has monitored within two years prior to the effective date of this section and the monitoring satisfies all other requirements of this section, the employer may rely on such earlier monitoring results to satisfy the requirements of (b)(i) of this subsection, provided that the conditions under which the initial monitoring was conducted have not changed in a manner that may result in new or additional exposures.
(c) Periodic monitoring and its frequency.
(i) If the initial monitoring required by (b) of this subsection reveals employee exposure to be at or above the action level but at or below both the 8-hour TWA limit and the STEL, the employer shall repeat the representative monitoring required by (a) of this subsection every twelve months.
(ii) If the initial monitoring required by (b) of this subsection reveals employee exposure to be above the 8-hour TWA limit, the employer shall repeat the representative monitoring required by (a)(ii) of this subsection at least every three months until the employer has collected two samples per quarter (each at least 7 days apart) within a two-year period, after which such monitoring must occur at least every six months.
(iii) If the initial monitoring required by (b) of this subsection reveals employee exposure to be above the STEL, the employer shall repeat the representative monitoring required by (a)(iii) of this subsection at least every three months until the employer has collected two samples per quarter (each at least 7 days apart) within a two-year period, after which such monitoring must occur at least every six months.
(iv) The employer may alter the monitoring schedule from every six months to annually for any required representative monitoring for which two consecutive measurements taken at least 7 days apart indicate that employee exposure has decreased to or below the 8-hour TWA, but is at or above the action level.
(d) Termination of monitoring.
(i) If the initial monitoring required by (b) of this subsection reveals employee exposure to be below the action level and at or below the STEL, the employer may discontinue the monitoring for employees whose exposures are represented by the initial monitoring.
(ii) If the periodic monitoring required by (c) of this subsection reveals that employee exposures, as indicated by at least two consecutive measurements taken at least 7 days apart, are below the action level and at or below the STEL, the employer may discontinue the monitoring for those employees who are represented by such monitoring.
(e) Additional monitoring.
(i) The employer shall institute the exposure monitoring required under subsection (4) of this section whenever there has been a change in the production, process, control equipment, personnel or work practices that may result in new or additional exposures to BD or when the employer has any reason to suspect that a change may result in new or additional exposures.
(ii) Whenever spills, leaks, ruptures or other breakdowns occur that may lead to employee exposure above the 8-hour TWA limit or above the STEL, the employer shall monitor (using leak source, such as direct reading instruments, area or personal monitoring), after the cleanup of the spill or repair of the leak, rupture or other breakdown, to ensure that exposures have returned to the level that existed prior to the incident.
(f) Accuracy of monitoring.
Monitoring shall be accurate, at a confidence level of 95 percent, to within plus or minus 25 percent for airborne concentrations of BD at or above the 1 ppm TWA limit and to within plus or minus 35 percent for airborne concentrations of BD at or above the action level of 0.5 ppm and below the 1 ppm TWA limit.
(g) Employee notification of monitoring results.
(i) The employer shall, within 5 business days after the receipt of the results of any monitoring performed under this section, notify the affected employees of these results in writing either individually or by posting of results in an appropriate location that is accessible to affected employees.
(ii) The employer shall, within 15 business days after receipt of any monitoring performed under this section indicating the 8-hour TWA or STEL has been exceeded, provide the affected employees, in writing, with information on the corrective action being taken by the employer to reduce employee exposure to or below the 8-hour TWA or STEL and the schedule for completion of this action.
(h) Observation of monitoring.
(i) Employee observation. The employer shall provide affected employees or their designated representatives an opportunity to observe any monitoring of employee exposure to BD conducted in accordance with this section.
(ii) Observation procedures. When observation of the monitoring of employee exposure to BD requires entry into an area where the use of protective clothing or equipment is required, the employer shall provide the observer at no cost with protective clothing and equipment, and shall ensure that the observer uses this equipment and complies with all other applicable safety and health procedures.
(5) Regulated areas.
(a) The employer shall establish a regulated area wherever occupational exposures to airborne concentrations of BD exceed or can reasonably be expected to exceed the permissible exposure limits, either the 8-hour TWA or the STEL.
(b) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized persons.
(c) Regulated areas shall be demarcated from the rest of the workplace in any manner that minimizes the number of employees exposed to BD within the regulated area.
(d) An employer at a multiemployer worksite who establishes a regulated area shall communicate the access restrictions and locations of these areas to other employers with work operations at that worksite whose employees may have access to these areas.
(6) Methods of compliance.
(a) Engineering controls and work practices.
(i) The employer shall institute engineering controls and work practices to reduce and maintain employee exposure to or below the PELs, except to the extent that the employer can establish that these controls are not feasible or where subsection (8)(a)(i) of this section applies.
(ii) Wherever the feasible engineering controls and work practices which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the 8-hour TWA or STEL, the employer shall use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest levels achievable by these controls and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of subsection (8) of this section.
(b) Compliance plan.
(i) Where any exposures are over the PELs, the employer shall establish and implement a written plan to reduce employee exposure to or below the PELs primarily by means of engineering and work practice controls, as required by (a) of this subsection, and by the use of respiratory protection where required or permitted under this section. No compliance plan is required if all exposures are under the PELs.
(ii) The written compliance plan shall include a schedule for the development and implementation of the engineering controls and work practice controls including periodic leak detection surveys.
(iii) Copies of the compliance plan required in (b) of this subsection shall be furnished upon request for examination and copying to the director, affected employees and designated employee representatives. Such plans shall be reviewed at least every 12 months, and shall be updated as necessary to reflect significant changes in the status of the employer's compliance program.
(iv) The employer shall not implement a schedule of employee rotation as a means of compliance with the PELs.
(7) Exposure goal program.
(a) For those operations and job classifications where employee exposures are greater than the action level, in addition to compliance with the PELs, the employer shall have an exposure goal program that is intended to limit employee exposures to below the action level during normal operations.
(b) Written plans for the exposure goal program shall be furnished upon request for examination and copying to the director, affected employees and designated employee representatives.
(c) Such plans shall be updated as necessary to reflect significant changes in the status of the exposure goal program.
(d) Respirator use is not required in the exposure goal program.
(e) The exposure goal program shall include the following items unless the employer can demonstrate that the item is not feasible, will have no significant effect in reducing employee exposures, or is not necessary to achieve exposures below the action level:
(i) A leak prevention, detection, and repair program.
(ii) A program for maintaining the effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation systems.
(iii) The use of pump exposure control technology such as, but not limited to, mechanical double-sealed or seal-less pumps.
(iv) Gauging devices designed to limit employee exposure, such as magnetic gauges on rail cars.
(v) Unloading devices designed to limit employee exposure, such as a vapor return system.
(vi) A program to maintain BD concentration below the action level in control rooms by use of engineering controls.
(8) Respiratory protection.
(a) General. For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must provide respirators that comply with the requirements of this subsection. Respirators must be used during:
(i) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work-practice controls;
(ii) Nonroutine work operations that are performed infrequently and for which exposures are limited in duration;
(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering controls and work-practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the PELs;
(iv) Emergencies.
(b) Respirator program.
(i) The employer must implement a respiratory protection
program as required by chapter ((296-62 WAC, Part E (except
WAC 296-62-07130(1), 296-62-07131 (4)(b)(i) and (ii), and
296-62-07150 through 296-62-07156))) 296-842 WAC, except WAC 296-842-13005 and 296-842-14005.
(ii) If air-purifying respirators are used, the employer must replace the air-purifying filter elements according to the replacement schedule set for the class of respirators listed in Table 1 of this section, and at the beginning of each work shift.
(iii) Instead of using the replacement schedule listed in Table 1 of this section, the employer may replace cartridges or canisters at 90% of their expiration service life, provided the employer:
(A) Demonstrates that employees will be adequately protected by this procedure;
(B) Uses BD breakthrough data for this purpose that have been derived from tests conducted under worst-case conditions of humidity, temperature, and air-flow rate through the filter element, and the employer also describes the data supporting the cartridge- or canister-change schedule, as well as the basis for using the data in the employer's respirator program.
(iv) A label must be attached to each filter element to indicate the date and time it is first installed on the respirator.
(v) If NIOSH approves an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) for an air-purifying filter element, the element may be used until the ESLI shows no further useful service life or until the element is replaced at the beginning of the next work shift, whichever occurs first.
(vi) Regardless of the air-purifying element used, if an employee detects the odor of BD, the employer must replace the air-purifying element immediately.
(c) Respirator selection.
(i) The employer must select appropriate respirators from Table 1 of this section.
Table 1. - Minimum Requirements for Respiratory Protection for Airborne BD | |
Concentration of Airborne BD (ppm) or condition of use | Minimum required respirator |
Less than or equal to 5 ppm (5 times PEL) | (a) Air-purifying half mask or full facepiece respirator equipped with approved BD or organic vapor cartridges or canisters. Cartridges or canisters shall be replaced every 4 hours. |
Less than or equal to 10 ppm (10 times PEL) | (a) Air-purifying half mask or full facepiece respirator equipped with approved BD or organic vapor cartridges or canisters. Cartridges or canisters shall be replaced every 3 hours. |
Less than or equal to 25 ppm (25 times PEL) | (a) Air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with approved BD or organic vapor cartridges or canisters. Cartridges or canisters shall be replaced every 2 hours. |
(b) Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with approved BD or organic vapor cartridges. PAPR cartridges shall be replaced every 2 hours. | |
(c) Continuous flow supplied air respirator equipped with a hood or helmet. | |
Less than or equal to 50 ppm (50 times PEL) | (a) Air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with approved BD or organic vapor cartridges or canisters. Cartridges or canisters shall be replaced every 1 hour. |
(b) Powered air purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece and an approved BD or organic vapor cartridges. PAPR cartridges shall be replaced every 1 hour. | |
Less than or equal to 1,000 ppm (1,000 times PEL) | (a) Supplied air respirator equipped with a half mask or full facepiece and operated in a pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. |
Greater than 1,000 ppm | (a) Self-contained breathing unknown concentration, or apparatus equipped with a fire fighting full facepiece and operated in a pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. |
(b) Any supplied air respirator equipped with a full facepiece and operated in a pressure demand or other positive pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. | |
Escape from IDLH Conditions | (a) Any positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus with an appropriate service life. |
(b) Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with a front or back mounted BD or organic vapor canister. |
Notes: | Respirators approved for use in higher concentrations are permitted to be used in lower concentrations. Full
facepiece is required when eye irritation is anticipated. |
(iii) When an employee whose job requires the use of a respirator cannot use a negative-pressure respirator, the employer must provide the employee with a respirator that has less breathing resistance than the negative-pressure respirator, such as a powered air-purifying respirator or supplied-air respirator, when the employee is able to use it and if it provides the employee adequate protection.
(9) Protective clothing and equipment. Where appropriate to prevent eye contact and limit dermal exposure to BD, the employer shall provide protective clothing and equipment at no cost to the employee and shall ensure its use. Eye and face protection shall meet the requirements of WAC 296-800-160.
(10) Emergency situations. Written plan. A written plan for emergency situations shall be developed, or an existing plan shall be modified, to contain the applicable elements specified in WAC 296-24-567, Employee emergency plans and fire prevention plans, and in WAC 296-62-3112, hazardous waste operations and emergency responses, for each workplace where there is a possibility of an emergency.
(11) Medical screening and surveillance.
(a) Employees covered. The employer shall institute a medical screening and surveillance program as specified in this subsection for:
(i) Each employee with exposure to BD at concentrations at or above the action level on 30 or more days or for employees who have or may have exposure to BD at or above the PELs on 10 or more days a year;
(ii) Employers (including successor owners) shall continue to provide medical screening and surveillance for employees, even after transfer to a non-BD exposed job and regardless of when the employee is transferred, whose work histories suggest exposure to BD:
(A) At or above the PELs on 30 or more days a year for 10 or more years;
(B) At or above the action level on 60 or more days a year for 10 or more years; or
(C) Above 10 ppm on 30 or more days in any past year; and
(iii) Each employee exposed to BD following an emergency situation.
(b) Program administration.
(i) The employer shall ensure that the health questionnaire, physical examination and medical procedures are provided without cost to the employee, without loss of pay, and at a reasonable time and place.
(ii) Physical examinations, health questionnaires, and medical procedures shall be performed or administered by a physician or other licensed health care professional.
(iii) Laboratory tests shall be conducted by an accredited laboratory.
(c) Frequency of medical screening activities. The employer shall make medical screening available on the following schedule:
(i) For each employee covered under (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection, a health questionnaire and complete blood count (CBC) with differential and platelet count every year, and a physical examination as specified below:
(A) An initial physical examination that meets the requirements of this rule, if twelve months or more have elapsed since the last physical examination conducted as part of a medical screening program for BD exposure;
(B) Before assumption of duties by the employee in a job with BD exposure;
(C) Every 3 years after the initial physical examination;
(D) At the discretion of the physician or other licensed health care professional reviewing the annual health questionnaire and CBC;
(E) At the time of employee reassignment to an area where exposure to BD is below the action level, if the employee's past exposure history does not meet the criteria of (a)(ii) of this subsection for continued coverage in the screening and surveillance program, and if twelve months or more have elapsed since the last physical examination; and
(F) At termination of employment if twelve months or more have elapsed since the last physical examination.
(ii) Following an emergency situation, medical screening shall be conducted as quickly as possible, but not later than 48 hours after the exposure.
(iii) For each employee who must wear a respirator,
physical ability to perform the work and use the respirator
must be determined as required by chapter 296-842 WAC
((296-62-071)).
(d) Content of medical screening.
(i) Medical screening for employees covered by (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection shall include:
(A) A baseline health questionnaire that includes a comprehensive occupational and health history and is updated annually. Particular emphasis shall be placed on the hematopoietic and reticuloendothelial systems, including exposure to chemicals, in addition to BD, that may have an adverse effect on these systems, the presence of signs and symptoms that might be related to disorders of these systems, and any other information determined by the examining physician or other licensed health care professional to be necessary to evaluate whether the employee is at increased risk of material impairment of health from BD exposure. Health questionnaires shall consist of the sample forms in Appendix C to this section, or be equivalent to those samples;
(B) A complete physical examination, with special emphasis on the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and skin;
(C) A CBC; and
(D) Any other test which the examining physician or other licensed health care professional deems necessary to evaluate whether the employee may be at increased risk from exposure to BD.
(ii) Medical screening for employees exposed to BD in an emergency situation shall focus on the acute effects of BD exposure and at a minimum include: A CBC within 48 hours of the exposure and then monthly for three months; and a physical examination if the employee reports irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, or skin, blurred vision, coughing, drowsiness, nausea, or headache. Continued employee participation in the medical screening and surveillance program, beyond these minimum requirements, shall be at the discretion of the physician or other licensed health care professional.
(e) Additional medical evaluations and referrals.
(i) Where the results of medical screening indicate abnormalities of the hematopoietic or reticuloendothelial systems, for which a nonoccupational cause is not readily apparent, the examining physician or other licensed health care professional shall refer the employee to an appropriate specialist for further evaluation and shall make available to the specialist the results of the medical screening.
(ii) The specialist to whom the employee is referred under this subsection shall determine the appropriate content for the medical evaluation, e.g., examinations, diagnostic tests and procedures, etc.
(f) Information provided to the physician or other licensed health care professional. The employer shall provide the following information to the examining physician or other licensed health care professional involved in the evaluation:
(i) A copy of this section including its appendices;
(ii) A description of the affected employee's duties as they relate to the employee's BD exposure;
(iii) The employee's actual or representative BD exposure level during employment tenure, including exposure incurred in an emergency situation;
(iv) A description of pertinent personal protective equipment used or to be used; and
(v) Information, when available, from previous employment-related medical evaluations of the affected employee which is not otherwise available to the physician or other licensed health care professional or the specialist.
(g) The written medical opinion.
(i) For each medical evaluation required by this section, the employer shall ensure that the physician or other licensed health care professional produces a written opinion and provides a copy to the employer and the employee within 15 business days of the evaluation. The written opinion shall be limited to the following information:
(A) The occupationally pertinent results of the medical evaluation;
(B) A medical opinion concerning whether the employee has any detected medical conditions which would place the employee's health at increased risk of material impairment from exposure to BD;
(C) Any recommended limitations upon the employee's exposure to BD; and
(D) A statement that the employee has been informed of the results of the medical evaluation and any medical conditions resulting from BD exposure that require further explanation or treatment.
(ii) The written medical opinion provided to the employer shall not reveal specific records, findings, and diagnoses that have no bearing on the employee's ability to work with BD.
Note: | This provision does not negate the ethical obligation of the physician or other licensed health care professional to transmit any other adverse findings directly to the employee. |
(i) The employer shall ensure that information obtained from the medical screening program activities is aggregated (with all personal identifiers removed) and periodically reviewed, to ascertain whether the health of the employee population of that employer is adversely affected by exposure to BD.
(ii) Information learned from medical surveillance activities must be disseminated to covered employees, as defined in (a) of this subsection, in a manner that ensures the confidentiality of individual medical information.
(12) Communication of BD hazards to employees.
(a) Hazard communication. The employer shall communicate the hazards associated with BD exposure in accordance with the requirements of the chemical hazard communication standard, WAC 296-800-170.
(b) Employee information and training.
(i) The employer shall provide all employees exposed to BD with information and training in accordance with the requirements of the chemical hazard communication standard, WAC 296-800-170.
(ii) The employer shall institute a training program for all employees who are potentially exposed to BD at or above the action level or the STEL, ensure employee participation in the program and maintain a record of the contents of such program.
(iii) Training shall be provided prior to or at the time of initial assignment to a job potentially involving exposure to BD at or above the action level or STEL and at least annually thereafter.
(iv) The training program shall be conducted in a manner that the employee is able to understand. The employer shall ensure that each employee exposed to BD over the action level or STEL is informed of the following:
(A) The health hazards associated with BD exposure, and the purpose and a description of the medical screening and surveillance program required by this section;
(B) The quantity, location, manner of use, release, and storage of BD and the specific operations that could result in exposure to BD, especially exposures above the PEL or STEL;
(C) The engineering controls and work practices associated with the employee's job assignment, and emergency procedures and personal protective equipment;
(D) The measures employees can take to protect themselves from exposure to BD;
(E) The contents of this standard and its appendices; and
(F) The right of each employee exposed to BD at or above the action level or STEL to obtain:
(I) Medical examinations as required by subsection (10) of this section at no cost to the employee;
(II) The employee's medical records required to be maintained by subsection (13)(c) of this section; and
(III) All air monitoring results representing the employee's exposure to BD and required to be kept by subsection (13)(b) of this section.
(c) Access to information and training materials.
(i) The employer shall make a copy of this standard and its appendices readily available without cost to all affected employees and their designated representatives and shall provide a copy if requested.
(ii) The employer shall provide to the director, or the designated employee representatives, upon request, all materials relating to the employee information and the training program.
(13) Recordkeeping.
(a) Objective data for exemption from initial monitoring.
(i) Where the processing, use, or handling of products or streams made from or containing BD are exempted from other requirements of this section under subsection (1)(b) of this section, or where objective data have been relied on in lieu of initial monitoring under subsection (4)(b)(ii) of this section, the employer shall establish and maintain a record of the objective data reasonably relied upon in support of the exemption.
(ii) This record shall include at least the following information:
(A) The product or activity qualifying for exemption;
(B) The source of the objective data;
(C) The testing protocol, results of testing, and analysis of the material for the release of BD;
(D) A description of the operation exempted and how the data support the exemption; and
(E) Other data relevant to the operations, materials, processing, or employee exposures covered by the exemption.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for the duration of the employer's reliance upon such objective data.
(b) Exposure measurements.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of all measurements taken to monitor employee exposure to BD as prescribed in subsection (4) of this section.
(ii) The record shall include at least the following information:
(A) The date of measurement;
(B) The operation involving exposure to BD which is being monitored;
(C) Sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their accuracy;
(D) Number, duration, and results of samples taken;
(E) Type of protective devices worn, if any;
(F) Name, Social Security number and exposure of the employees whose exposures are represented; and
(G) The written corrective action and the schedule for completion of this action required by subsection (4)(g)(ii) of this section.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least 30 years in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(c) Medical screening and surveillance.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject to medical screening and surveillance under this section.
(ii) The record shall include at least the following information:
(A) The name and Social Security number of the employee;
(B) Physician's or other licensed health care professional's written opinions as described in subsection (11)(e) of this section;
(C) A copy of the information provided to the physician or other licensed health care professional as required by subsection (11)(e) of this section.
(iii) Medical screening and surveillance records shall be maintained for each employee for the duration of employment plus 30 years, in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(d) Availability.
(i) The employer, upon written request, shall make all records required to be maintained by this section available for examination and copying to the director.
(ii) Access to records required to be maintained by (a) and (b) of this subsection shall be granted in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(e) Transfer of records.
(i) Whenever the employer ceases to do business, the employer shall transfer records required by this section to the successor employer. The successor employer shall receive and maintain these records. If there is no successor employer, the employer shall notify the director, at least three months prior to disposal, and transmit them to the director if requested by the director within that period.
(ii) The employer shall transfer medical and exposure records as set forth in chapter 296-802 WAC.
(14) Dates.
(a) Effective date. This section shall become effective (day, month), 1997.
(b) Start-up dates.
(i) The initial monitoring required under subsection (4)(b) of this section shall be completed immediately or within sixty days of the introduction of BD into the workplace.
(ii) The requirements of subsections (3) through (13) of this section, including feasible work practice controls but not including engineering controls specified in subsection (6)(a) of this section, shall be complied with immediately.
(iii) Engineering controls specified by subsection (6)(a) of this section shall be implemented by February 4, 1999, and the exposure goal program specified in subsection (7) of this section shall be implemented by February 4, 2000.
(15) Appendices.
Appendices A, B, C, D, and F to this section are informational and are not intended to create any additional obligations not otherwise imposed or to detract from any existing obligations.
Appendix A. Substance Safety Data Sheet For
1,3-Butadiene (Non-Mandatory)
(1) Substance Identification.
(a) Substance: 1,3-Butadiene (CH(2)=CH-CH=CH(2)).
(b) Synonyms: 1,3-Butadiene (BD); butadiene; biethylene; bi-vinyl; divinyl; butadiene-1,3; buta-1,3-diene; erythrene; NCI-C50602; CAS-106-99-0.
(c) BD can be found as a gas or liquid.
(d) BD is used in production of styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene rubber for the tire industry. Other uses include copolymer latexes for carpet backing and paper coating, as well as resins and polymers for pipes and automobile and appliance parts. It is also used as an intermediate in the production of such chemicals as fungicides.
(e) Appearance and odor: BD is a colorless, noncorrosive, flammable gas with a mild aromatic odor at standard ambient temperature and pressure.
(f) Permissible exposure: Exposure may not exceed 1 part BD per million parts of air averaged over the 8-hour workday, nor may short-term exposure exceed 5 parts of BD per million parts of air averaged over any 15-minute period in the 8-hour workday.
(2) Health Hazard Data.
(a) BD can affect the body if the gas is inhaled or if the liquid form, which is very cold (cryogenic), comes in contact with the eyes or skin.
(b) Effects of overexposure: Breathing very high levels of BD for a short time can cause central nervous system effects, blurred vision, nausea, fatigue, headache, decreased blood pressure and pulse rate, and unconsciousness. There are no recorded cases of accidental exposures at high levels that have caused death in humans, but this could occur. Breathing lower levels of BD may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Skin contact with liquefied BD can cause irritation and frostbite.
(c) Long-term (chronic) exposure: BD has been found to be a potent carcinogen in rodents, inducing neoplastic lesions at multiple target sites in mice and rats. A recent study of BD-exposed workers showed that exposed workers have an increased risk of developing leukemia. The risk of leukemia increases with increased exposure to BD. OSHA has concluded that there is strong evidence that workplace exposure to BD poses an increased risk of death from cancers of the lymphohematopoietic system.
(d) Reporting signs and symptoms: You should inform your supervisor if you develop any of these signs or symptoms and suspect that they are caused by exposure to BD.
(3) Emergency First-Aid Procedures.
In the event of an emergency, follow the emergency plan and procedures designated for your work area. If you have been trained in first-aid procedures, provide the necessary first aid measures. If necessary, call for additional assistance from co-workers and emergency medical personnel.
(a) Eye and Skin Exposures: If there is a potential that liquefied BD can come in contact with eye or skin, face shields and skin protective equipment must be provided and used. If liquefied BD comes in contact with the eye, immediately flush the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and the upper lids. Flush repeatedly. Get medical attention immediately. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical. In the event of skin contact, which can cause frostbite, remove any contaminated clothing and flush the affected area repeatedly with large amounts of tepid water.
(b) Breathing: If a person breathes in large amounts of BD, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if you have been trained in this procedure. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention immediately.
(c) Rescue: Move the affected person from the hazardous exposure. If the exposed person has been overcome, call for help and begin emergency rescue procedures. Use extreme caution so that you do not become a casualty. Understand the plant's emergency rescue procedures and know the locations of rescue equipment before the need arises.
(4) Respirators and Protective Clothing.
(a) Respirators: Good industrial hygiene practices recommend that engineering and work practice controls be used to reduce environmental concentrations to the permissible exposure level. However, there are some exceptions where respirators may be used to control exposure. Respirators may be used when engineering and work practice controls are not technically feasible, when such controls are in the process of being installed, or when these controls fail and need to be supplemented or during brief, nonroutine, intermittent exposure. Respirators may also be used in situations involving nonroutine work operations which are performed infrequently and in which exposures are limited in duration, and in emergency situations. In some instances cartridge respirator use is allowed, but only with strict time constraints. For example, at exposure below 5 ppm BD, a cartridge (or canister) respirator, either full or half face, may be used, but the cartridge must be replaced at least every 4 hours, and it must be replaced every 3 hours when the exposure is between 5 and 10 ppm.
If the use of respirators is necessary, the only respirators permitted are those that have been approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition to respirator selection, a complete respiratory protection program must be instituted which includes regular training, maintenance, fit testing, inspection, cleaning, and evaluation of respirators. If you can smell BD while wearing a respirator, proceed immediately to fresh air, and change cartridge (or canister) before re-entering an area where there is BD exposure. If you experience difficulty in breathing while wearing a respirator, tell your supervisor.
(b) Protective Clothing: Employees should be provided with and required to use impervious clothing, gloves, face shields (eight-inch minimum), and other appropriate protective clothing necessary to prevent the skin from becoming frozen by contact with liquefied BD (or a vessel containing liquid BD).
Employees should be provided with and required to use splash-proof safety goggles where liquefied BD may contact the eyes.
(5) Precautions for Safe Use, Handling, and Storage.
(a) Fire and Explosion Hazards: BD is a flammable gas and can easily form explosive mixtures in air. It has a lower explosive limit of 2%, and an upper explosive limit of 11.5%. It has an autoignition temperature of 420 deg. C (788 deg. F). Its vapor is heavier than air (vapor density, 1.9) and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Usually it contains inhibitors to prevent self-polymerization (which is accompanied by evolution of heat) and to prevent formation of explosive peroxides. At elevated temperatures, such as in fire conditions, polymerization may take place. If the polymerization takes place in a container, there is a possibility of violent rupture of the container.
(b) Hazard: Slightly toxic. Slight respiratory irritant. Direct contact of liquefied BD on skin may cause freeze burns and frostbite.
(c) Storage: Protect against physical damage to BD containers. Outside or detached storage of BD containers is preferred. Inside storage should be in a cool, dry, well-ventilated, noncombustible location, away from all possible sources of ignition. Store cylinders vertically and do not stack. Do not store with oxidizing material.
(d) Usual Shipping Containers: Liquefied BD is contained in steel pressure apparatus.
(e) Electrical Equipment: Electrical installations in Class I hazardous locations, as defined in Article 500 of the National Electrical Code, should be in accordance with Article 501 of the Code. If explosion-proof electrical equipment is necessary, it shall be suitable for use in Group B. Group D equipment may be used if such equipment is isolated in accordance with Section 501-5(a) by sealing all conduit 1/2-inch size or larger. See Venting of Deflagrations (NFPA No. 68, 1994), National Electrical Code (NFPA No. 70, 1996), Static Electricity (NFPA No. 77, 1993), Lightning Protection Systems (NFPA No. 780, 1995), and Fire Hazard Properties of Flammable Liquids, Gases and Volatile Solids (NFPA No. 325, 1994).
(f) Fire Fighting: Stop flow of gas. Use water to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Fire extinguishers and quick drenching facilities must be readily available, and you should know where they are and how to operate them.
(g) Spill and Leak: Persons not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from areas of spills or leaks until clean-up has been completed. If BD is spilled or leaked, the following steps should be taken:
(i) Eliminate all ignition sources.
(ii) Ventilate area of spill or leak.
(iii) If in liquid form, for small quantities, allow to evaporate in a safe manner.
(iv) Stop or control the leak if this can be done without risk. If source of leak is a cylinder and the leak cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a safe place and repair the leak or allow the cylinder to empty.
(h) Disposal: This substance, when discarded or disposed of, is a hazardous waste according to Federal regulations (40 CFR part 261). It is listed as hazardous waste number D001 due to its ignitability. The transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal of this waste material must be conducted in compliance with 40 CFR parts 262, 263, 264, 268 and 270. Disposal can occur only in properly permitted facilities. Check state and local regulation of any additional requirements as these may be more restrictive than federal laws and regulation.
(i) You should not keep food, beverages, or smoking materials in areas where there is BD exposure, nor should you eat or drink in such areas.
(j) Ask your supervisor where BD is used in your work area and ask for any additional plant safety and health rules.
(6) Medical Requirements.
Your employer is required to offer you the opportunity to participate in a medical screening and surveillance program if you are exposed to BD at concentrations exceeding the action level (0.5 ppm BD as an 8-hour TWA) on 30 days or more a year, or at or above the 8-hr TWA (1 ppm) or STEL (5 ppm for 15 minutes) on 10 days or more a year. Exposure for any part of a day counts. If you have had exposure to BD in the past, but have been transferred to another job, you may still be eligible to participate in the medical screening and surveillance program.
The WISHA rule specifies the past exposures that would qualify you for participation in the program. These past exposure are work histories that suggest the following:
(a) That you have been exposed at or above the PELs on 30 days a year for 10 or more years;
(b) That you have been exposed at or above the action level on 60 days a year for 10 or more years; or
(c) That you have been exposed above 10 ppm on 30 days in any past year.
Additionally, if you are exposed to BD in an emergency situation, you are eligible for a medical examination within 48 hours. The basic medical screening program includes a health questionnaire, physical examination, and blood test. These medical evaluations must be offered to you at a reasonable time and place, and without cost or loss of pay.
(7) Observation of Monitoring.
Your employer is required to perform measurements that are representative of your exposure to BD and you or your designated representative are entitled to observe the monitoring procedure. You are entitled to observe the steps taken in the measurement procedure, and to record the results obtained. When the monitoring procedure is taking place in an area where respirators or personal protective clothing and equipment are required to be worn, you or your representative must also be provided with, and must wear, the protective clothing and equipment.
(8) Access to Information.
(a) Each year, your employer is required to inform you of the information contained in this appendix. In addition, your employer must instruct you in the proper work practices for using BD, emergency procedures, and the correct use of protective equipment.
(b) Your employer is required to determine whether you are being exposed to BD. You or your representative has the right to observe employee measurements and to record the results obtained. Your employer is required to inform you of your exposure. If your employer determines that you are being overexposed, he or she is required to inform you of the actions which are being taken to reduce your exposure to within permissible exposure limits and of the schedule to implement these actions.
(c) Your employer is required to keep records of your exposures and medical examinations. These records must be kept by the employer for at least thirty (30) years.
(d) Your employer is required to release your exposure and medical records to you or your representative upon your request.
Appendix B. Substance Technical Guidelines for
1,3-Butadiene (Non-Mandatory)
(1) Physical and Chemical Data.
(a) Substance identification:
(i) Synonyms: 1,3-Butadiene (BD); butadiene; biethylene; bivinyl; divinyl; butadiene-1,3; buta-1,3-diene; erythrene; NCI-C50620; CAS-106-99-0.
(ii) Formula: (CH(2)=CH-CH=CH(2)).
(iii) Molecular weight: 54.1.
(b) Physical data:
(i) Boiling point (760 mm Hg): -4.7 deg. C (23.5 deg. F).
(ii) Specific gravity (water = 1):0.62 at 20 deg. C (68 deg. F).
(iii) Vapor density (air = 1 at boiling point of BD): 1.87.
(iv) Vapor pressure at 20 deg. C (68 deg. F): 910 mm Hg.
(v) Solubility in water, g/100 g water at 20 deg. C (68 deg. F): 0.05.
(vi) Appearance and odor: Colorless, flammable gas with a mildly aromatic odor. Liquefied BD is a colorless liquid with a mildly aromatic odor.
(2) Fire, Explosion, and Reactivity Hazard Data.
(a) Fire:
(i) Flash point: -76 deg. C (-105 deg. F) for take out; liquefied BD; Not applicable to BD gas.
(ii) Stability: A stabilizer is added to the monomer to inhibit formation of polymer during storage. Forms explosive peroxides in air in absence of inhibitor.
(iii) Flammable limits in air, percent by volume: Lower: 2.0; Upper: 11.5.
(iv) Extinguishing media: Carbon dioxide for small fires, polymer or alcohol foams for large fires.
(v) Special fire fighting procedures: Fight fire from protected location or maximum possible distance. Stop flow of gas before extinguishing fire. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed cylinders cool.
(vi) Unusual fire and explosion hazards: BD vapors are heavier than air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Closed containers may rupture violently when heated.
(vii) For purposes of compliance with the requirements of WAC 296-24-330, BD is classified as a flammable gas. For example, 7,500 ppm, approximately one-fourth of the lower flammable limit, would be considered to pose a potential fire and explosion hazard.
(viii) For purposes of compliance with WAC 296-24-585, BD is classified as a Class B fire hazard.
(ix) For purposes of compliance with WAC 296-24-956 and 296-800-280, locations classified as hazardous due to the presence of BD shall be Class I.
(b) Reactivity:
(i) Conditions contributing to instability: Heat. Peroxides are formed when inhibitor concentration is not maintained at proper level. At elevated temperatures, such as in fire conditions, polymerization may take place.
(ii) Incompatibilities: Contact with strong oxidizing agents may cause fires and explosions. The contacting of crude BD (not BD monomer) with copper and copper alloys may cause formations of explosive copper compounds.
(iii) Hazardous decomposition products: Toxic gases (such as carbon monoxide) may be released in a fire involving BD.
(iv) Special precautions: BD will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. BD in storage should be checked for proper inhibitor content, for self-polymerization, and for formation of peroxides when in contact with air and iron. Piping carrying BD may become plugged by formation of rubbery polymer.
(c) Warning Properties:
(i) Odor Threshold: An odor threshold of 0.45 ppm has been reported in The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Report, Odor Thresholds for Chemicals with Established Occupational Health Standards. (Ex. 32-28C).
(ii) Eye Irritation Level: Workers exposed to vapors of BD (concentration or purity unspecified) have complained of irritation of eyes, nasal passages, throat, and lungs. Dogs and rabbits exposed experimentally to as much as 6700 ppm for 7 1/2 hours a day for 8 months have developed no histologically demonstrable abnormality of the eyes.
(iii) Evaluation of Warning Properties: Since the mean odor threshold is about half of the 1 ppm PEL, and more than 10-fold below the 5 ppm STEL, most wearers of air purifying respirators should still be able to detect breakthrough before a significant overexposure to BD occurs.
(3) Spill, Leak, and Disposal Procedures.
(a) Persons not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from areas of spills or leaks until cleanup has been completed. If BD is spilled or leaked, the following steps should be taken:
(i) Eliminate all ignition sources.
(ii) Ventilate areas of spill or leak.
(iii) If in liquid form, for small quantities, allow to evaporate in a safe manner.
(iv) Stop or control the leak if this can be done without risk. If source of leak is a cylinder and the leak cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a safe place and repair the leak or allow the cylinder to empty.
(b) Disposal: This substance, when discarded or disposed of, is a hazardous waste according to Federal regulations (40 CFR part 261). It is listed by the EPA as hazardous waste number D001 due to its ignitability. The transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal of this waste material must be conducted in compliance with 40 CFR parts 262, 263, 264, 268 and 270. Disposal can occur only in properly permitted facilities. Check state and local regulations for any additional requirements because these may be more restrictive than federal laws and regulations.
(4) Monitoring and Measurement Procedures.
(a) Exposure above the Permissible Exposure Limit (8-hr TWA) or Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL):
(i) 8-hr TWA exposure evaluation: Measurements taken for the purpose of determining employee exposure under this standard are best taken with consecutive samples covering the full shift. Air samples must be taken in the employee's breathing zone (air that would most nearly represent that inhaled by the employee).
(ii) STEL exposure evaluation: Measurements must represent 15 minute exposures associated with operations most likely to exceed the STEL in each job and on each shift.
(iii) Monitoring frequencies: Table 1 gives various
exposure scenarios and their required monitoring frequencies,
as required by the final standard for occupational exposure to
butadiene.
Table 1. -- Five Exposure Scenarios and Their Associated
Monitoring Frequencies
Action Level | 8-hr TWA | STEL | Required Monitoring Activity |
__* | __ | __ | No 8-hour TWA or STEL monitoring required. |
+* | __ | __ | No STEL monitoring required. Monitor 8-hr TWA annually. |
+ | __ | __ | No STEL monitoring required. Periodic monitoring 8-hour TWA, in accordance with (4)(c)(iii).** |
+ | + | + | Periodic monitoring 8-hour TWA, in accordance with (4)(c)(iii)**. Periodic monitoring STEL in accordance with (4)(c)(iii). |
+ | __ | + | Periodic monitoring STEL, in accordance with (4)(c)(iii). Monitor 8-hour TWA annually. |
Footnote (*) | Exposure Scenario, Limit Exceeded: + = Yes, - =No. |
Footnote (**) | The employer may decrease the frequency of
exposure monitoring to annually when at least 2
consecutive measurements taken at least 7 days
apart show exposures to be below the 8-hour
TWA, but at or above the action level. |
(5) Personal Protective Equipment.
(a) Employees should be provided with and required to use impervious clothing, gloves, face shields (eight-inch minimum), and other appropriate protective clothing necessary to prevent the skin from becoming frozen from contact with liquid BD.
(b) Any clothing which becomes wet with liquid BD should be removed immediately and not reworn until the butadiene has evaporated.
(c) Employees should be provided with and required to use splash proof safety goggles where liquid BD may contact the eyes.
(6) Housekeeping and Hygiene Facilities.
For purposes of complying with WAC 296-800-220 and 296-800-230, the following items should be emphasized:
(a) The workplace should be kept clean, orderly, and in a sanitary condition.
(b) Adequate washing facilities with hot and cold water are to be provided and maintained in a sanitary condition.
(7) Additional Precautions.
(a) Store BD in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area and take all necessary precautions to avoid any explosion hazard.
(b) Nonsparking tools must be used to open and close metal containers. These containers must be effectively grounded.
(c) Do not incinerate BD cartridges, tanks or other containers.
(d) Employers must advise employees of all areas and operations where exposure to BD might occur.
Appendix C. Medical Screening and Surveillance for
1,3-Butadiene (Nonmandatory)
(1) Basis for Medical Screening and Surveillance Requirements.
(a) Route of Entry Inhalation.
(b) Toxicology.
Inhalation of BD has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, damage to the reproductive organs, and fetotoxicity. Butadiene can be converted via oxidation to epoxybutene and diepoxybutane, two genotoxic metabolites that may play a role in the expression of BD's toxic effects. BD has been tested for carcinogenicity in mice and rats. Both species responded to BD exposure by developing cancer at multiple primary organ sites. Early deaths in mice were caused by malignant lymphomas, primarily lymphocytic type, originating in the thymus.
Mice exposed to BD have developed ovarian or testicular atrophy. Sperm head morphology tests also revealed abnormal sperm in mice exposed to BD; lethal mutations were found in a dominant lethal test. In light of these results in animals, the possibility that BD may adversely affect the reproductive systems of male and female workers must be considered.
Additionally, anemia has been observed in animals exposed to butadiene. In some cases, this anemia appeared to be a primary response to exposure; in other cases, it may have been secondary to a neoplastic response.
(c) Epidemiology.
Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates that BD exposure poses an increased risk of leukemia. Mild alterations of hematologic parameters have also been observed in synthetic rubber workers exposed to BD.
(2) Potential Adverse Health Effects.
(a) Acute.
Skin contact with liquid BD causes characteristic burns or frostbite. BD in gaseous form can irritate the eyes, nasal passages, throat, and lungs. Blurred vision, coughing, and drowsiness may also occur. Effects are mild at 2,000 ppm and pronounced at 8,000 ppm for exposures occurring over the full workshift.
At very high concentrations in air, BD is an anesthetic, causing narcosis, respiratory paralysis, unconsciousness, and death. Such concentrations are unlikely, however, except in an extreme emergency because BD poses an explosion hazard at these levels.
(b) Chronic.
The principal adverse health effects of concern are BD-induced lymphoma, leukemia and potential reproductive toxicity. Anemia and other changes in the peripheral blood cells may be indicators of excessive exposure to BD.
(c) Reproductive.
Workers may be concerned about the possibility that their BD exposure may be affecting their ability to procreate a healthy child. For workers with high exposures to BD, especially those who have experienced difficulties in conceiving, miscarriages, or stillbirths, appropriate medical and laboratory evaluation of fertility may be necessary to determine if BD is having any adverse effect on the reproductive system or on the health of the fetus.
(3) Medical Screening Components At-A-Glance.
(a) Health Questionnaire.
The most important goal of the health questionnaire is to elicit information from the worker regarding potential signs or symptoms generally related to leukemia or other blood abnormalities. Therefore, physicians or other licensed health care professionals should be aware of the presenting symptoms and signs of lymphohematopoietic disorders and cancers, as well as the procedures necessary to confirm or exclude such diagnoses. Additionally, the health questionnaire will assist with the identification of workers at greatest risk of developing leukemia or adverse reproductive effects from their exposures to BD.
Workers with a history of reproductive difficulties or a personal or family history of immune deficiency syndromes, blood dyscrasias, lymphoma, or leukemia, and those who are or have been exposed to medicinal drugs or chemicals known to affect the hematopoietic or lymphatic systems may be at higher risk from their exposure to BD. After the initial administration, the health questionnaire must be updated annually.
(b) Complete Blood Count (CBC).
The medical screening and surveillance program requires an annual CBC, with differential and platelet count, to be provided for each employee with BD exposure. This test is to be performed on a blood sample obtained by phlebotomy of the venous system or, if technically feasible, from a fingerstick sample of capillary blood. The sample is to be analyzed by an accredited laboratory.
Abnormalities in a CBC may be due to a number of different etiologies. The concern for workers exposed to BD includes, but is not limited to, timely identification of lymphohematopoietic cancers, such as leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Abnormalities of portions of the CBC are identified by comparing an individual's results to those of an established range of normal values for males and females. A substantial change in any individual employee's CBC may also be viewed as "abnormal" for that individual even if all measurements fall within the population-based range of normal values. It is suggested that a flowsheet for laboratory values be included in each employee's medical record so that comparisons and trends in annual CBCs can be easily made.
A determination of the clinical significance of an abnormal CBC shall be the responsibility of the examining physician, other licensed health care professional, or medical specialist to whom the employee is referred. Ideally, an abnormal CBC should be compared to previous CBC measurements for the same employee, when available. Clinical common sense may dictate that a CBC value that is very slightly outside the normal range does not warrant medical concern. A CBC abnormality may also be the result of a temporary physical stressor, such as a transient viral illness, blood donation, or menorrhagia, or laboratory error. In these cases, the CBC should be repeated in a timely fashion, i.e., within 6 weeks, to verify that return to the normal range has occurred. A clinically significant abnormal CBC should result in removal of the employee from further exposure to BD. Transfer of the employee to other work duties in a BD-free environment would be the preferred recommendation.
(c) Physical Examination.
The medical screening and surveillance program requires an initial physical examination for workers exposed to BD; this examination is repeated once every three years. The initial physical examination should assess each worker's baseline general health and rule out clinical signs of medical conditions that may be caused by or aggravated by occupational BD exposure. The physical examination should be directed at identification of signs of lymphohematopoietic disorders, including lymph node enlargement, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly.
Repeated physical examinations should update objective clinical findings that could be indicative of interim development of a lymphohematopoietic disorder, such as lymphoma, leukemia, or other blood abnormality. Physical examinations may also be provided on an as needed basis in order to follow up on a positive answer on the health questionnaire, or in response to an abnormal CBC. Physical examination of workers who will no longer be working in jobs with BD exposure are intended to rule out lymphohematopoietic disorders.
The need for physical examinations for workers concerned about adverse reproductive effects from their exposure to BD should be identified by the physician or other licensed health care professional and provided accordingly. For these workers, such consultations and examinations may relate to developmental toxicity and reproductive capacity.
Physical examination of workers acutely exposed to significant levels of BD should be especially directed at the respiratory system, eyes, sinuses, skin, nervous system, and any region associated with particular complaints. If the worker has received a severe acute exposure, hospitalization may be required to assure proper medical management. Since this type of exposure may place workers at greater risk of blood abnormalities, a CBC must be obtained within 48 hours and repeated at one, two, and three months.
Appendix D: Sampling and Analytical Method for
1,3-Butadiene (Nonmandatory)
OSHA Method No.: 56.
Matrix: Air.
Target concentration: 1 ppm (2.21 mg/m(3)).
Procedure: Air samples are collected by drawing known volumes of air through sampling tubes containing charcoal adsorbent which has been coated with 4-tert-butylcatechol. The samples are desorbed with carbon disulfide and then analyzed by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector.
Recommended sampling rate and air volume: 0.05 L/min and 3 L.
Detection limit of the overall procedure: 90 ppb (200 ug/m(3)) (based on 3 L air volume).
Reliable quantitation limit: 155 ppb (343 ug/m(3)) (based on 3 L air volume).
Standard error of estimate at the target concentration: 6.5%.
Special requirements: The sampling tubes must be coated with 4-tert-butylcatechol. Collected samples should be stored in a freezer.
Status of method: A sampling and analytical method has been subjected to the established evaluation procedures of the Organic Methods Evaluation Branch, OSHA Analytical Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah 84165.
(1) Background.
This work was undertaken to develop a sampling and analytical procedure for BD at 1 ppm. The current method recommended by OSHA for collecting BD uses activated coconut shell charcoal as the sampling medium (Ref. 5.2). This method was found to be inadequate for use at low BD levels because of sample instability.
The stability of samples has been significantly improved through the use of a specially cleaned charcoal which is coated with 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC). TBC is a polymerization inhibitor for BD (Ref. 5.3).
(a) Toxic effects.
Symptoms of human exposure to BD include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause coughing, drowsiness and fatigue. Dermatitis and frostbite can result from skin exposure to liquid BD. (Ref. 5.1)
NIOSH recommends that BD be handled in the workplace as a potential occupational carcinogen. This recommendation is based on two inhalation studies that resulted in cancers at multiple sites in rats and in mice. BD has also demonstrated mutagenic activity in the presence of a liver microsomal activating system. It has also been reported to have adverse reproductive effects. (Ref. 5.1)
(b) Potential workplace exposure.
About 90% of the annual production of BD is used to manufacture styrene-butadiene rubber and Polybutadiene rubber. Other uses include: Polychloroprene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene resins, nylon intermediates, styrene-butadiene latexes, butadiene polymers, thermoplastic elastomers, nitrile resins, methyl methacrylate-butadiene styrene resins and chemical intermediates. (Ref. 5.1)
(c) Physical properties (Ref. 5.1).
CAS No.: 106-99-0
Molecular weight: 54.1
Appearance: Colorless gas
Boiling point: -4.41 deg. C (760 mm Hg)
Freezing point: -108.9 deg. C
Vapor pressure: 2 atm (a) 15.3 deg. C; 5 atm (a) 47 deg. C
Explosive limits: 2 to 11.5% (by volume in air)
Odor threshold: 0.45 ppm
Structural formula: H(2)C:CHCH:CH(2)
Synonyms: BD; biethylene; bivinyl; butadiene; divinyl; buta-1,3-diene; alpha-gamma-butadiene; erythrene; NCI-C50602; pyrrolylene; vinylethylene.
(d) Limit defining parameters.
The analyte air concentrations listed throughout this method are based on an air volume of 3 L and a desorption volume of 1 mL. Air concentrations listed in ppm are referenced to 25 deg. C and 760 mm Hg.
(e) Detection limit of the analytical procedure.
The detection limit of the analytical procedure was 304 pg per injection. This was the amount of BD which gave a response relative to the interferences present in a standard.
(f) Detection limit of the overall procedure.
The detection limit of the overall procedure was 0.60 ug per sample (90 ppb or 200 ug/m(3)). This amount was determined graphically. It was the amount of analyte which, when spiked on the sampling device, would allow recovery approximately equal to the detection limit of the analytical procedure.
(g) Reliable quantitation limit.
The reliable quantitation limit was 1.03 ug per sample (155 ppb or 343 ug/m(3)). This was the smallest amount of analyte which could be quantitated within the limits of a recovery of at least 75% and a precision (+/- 1.96 SD) of +/-25% or better.
(h) Sensitivity.(1)
The sensitivity of the analytical procedure over a
concentration range representing 0.6 to 2 times the target
concentration, based on the recommended air volume, was 387
area units per ug/mL. This value was determined from the
slope of the calibration curve. The sensitivity may vary with
the particular instrument used in the analysis.Footnote (1)
The reliable quantitation limit and detection limits reported in the method are based upon optimization
of the instrument for the smallest possible amount of analyte. When the target concentration of an
analyte is exceptionally higher than these limits, they may not be attainable at the routine operation
parameters.
(i) Recovery.
The recovery of BD from samples used in storage tests remained above 77% when the samples were stored at ambient temperature and above 94% when the samples were stored at refrigerated temperature. These values were determined from regression lines which were calculated from the storage data. The recovery of the analyte from the collection device must be at least 75% following storage.
(j) Precision (analytical method only).
The pooled coefficient of variation obtained from replicate determinations of analytical standards over the range of 0.6 to 2 times the target concentration was 0.011.
(k) Precision (overall procedure).
The precision at the 95% confidence level for the refrigerated temperature storage test was +/- 12.7%. This value includes an additional +/- 5% for sampling error. The overall procedure must provide results at the target concentrations that are +/- 25% at the 95% confidence level.
(l) Reproducibility.
Samples collected from a controlled test atmosphere and a draft copy of this procedure were given to a chemist unassociated with this evaluation. The average recovery was 97.2% and the standard deviation was 6.2%.
(2) Sampling procedure.
(a) Apparatus. Samples are collected by use of a personal sampling pump that can be calibrated to within +/- 5% of the recommended 0.05 L/min sampling rate with the sampling tube in line.
(b) Samples are collected with laboratory prepared sampling tubes. The sampling tube is constructed of silane-treated glass and is about 5-cm long. The ID is 4 mm and the OD is 6 mm. One end of the tube is tapered so that a glass wool end plug will hold the contents of the tube in place during sampling. The opening in the tapered end of the sampling tube is at least one-half the ID of the tube (2 mm). The other end of the sampling tube is open to its full 4-mm ID to facilitate packing of the tube. Both ends of the tube are fire-polished for safety. The tube is packed with 2 sections of pretreated charcoal which has been coated with TBC. The tube is packed with a 50-mg backup section, located nearest the tapered end, and with a 100-mg sampling section of charcoal. The two sections of coated adsorbent are separated and retained with small plugs of silanized glass wool. Following packing, the sampling tubes are sealed with two 7/32 inch OD plastic end caps. Instructions for the pretreatment and coating of the charcoal are presented in Section 4.1 of this method.
(c) Reagents.
None required.
(d) Technique.
(i) Properly label the sampling tube before sampling and then remove the plastic end caps.
(ii) Attach the sampling tube to the pump using a section of flexible plastic tubing such that the larger front section of the sampling tube is exposed directly to the atmosphere. Do not place any tubing ahead of the sampling tube. The sampling tube should be attached in the worker's breathing zone in a vertical manner such that it does not impede work performance.
(iii) After sampling for the appropriate time, remove the sampling tube from the pump and then seal the tube with plastic end caps. Wrap the tube lengthwise.
(iv) Include at least one blank for each sampling set. The blank should be handled in the same manner as the samples with the exception that air is not drawn through it.
(v) List any potential interferences on the sample data sheet.
(vi) The samples require no special shipping precautions under normal conditions. The samples should be refrigerated if they are to be exposed to higher than normal ambient temperatures. If the samples are to be stored before they are shipped to the laboratory, they should be kept in a freezer. The samples should be placed in a freezer upon receipt at the laboratory.
(e) Breakthrough.
(Breakthrough was defined as the relative amount of analyte found on the backup section of the tube in relation to the total amount of analyte collected on the sampling tube. Five-percent breakthrough occurred after sampling a test atmosphere containing 2.0 ppm BD for 90 min. at 0.05 L/min. At the end of this time 4.5 L of air had been sampled and 20.1 ug of the analyte was collected. The relative humidity of the sampled air was 80% at 23 deg. C.)
Breakthrough studies have shown that the recommended sampling procedure can be used at air concentrations higher than the target concentration. The sampling time, however, should be reduced to 45 min. if both the expected BD level and the relative humidity of the sampled air are high.
(f) Desorption efficiency.
The average desorption efficiency for BD from TBC coated charcoal over the range from 0.6 to 2 times the target concentration was 96.4%. The efficiency was essentially constant over the range studied.
(g) Recommended air volume and sampling rate.
(h) The recommended air volume is 3 L.
(i) The recommended sampling rate is 0.05 L/min. for 1 hour.
(j) Interferences.
There are no known interferences to the sampling method.
(k) Safety precautions.
(i) Attach the sampling equipment to the worker in such a manner that it will not interfere with work performance or safety.
(ii) Follow all safety practices that apply to the work area being sampled.
(3) Analytical procedure.
(a) Apparatus.
(i) A gas chromatograph (GC), equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID).(2)
(ii) A GC column capable of resolving the analytes from
any interference.(3)Footnote (2)
A Hewlett-Packard Model 5840A GC was used for this evaluation. Injections were performed using a
Hewlett-Packard Model 7671A automatic sampler.
(iii) Vials, glass 2-mL with Teflon-lined caps.Footnote (3)
A 20-ft x 1/8-inch OD stainless steel GC column containing 20% FFAP on 80/100 mesh Chromabsorb
W-AW-DMCS was used for this evaluation.
(iv) Disposable Pasteur-type pipets, volumetric flasks, pipets and syringes for preparing samples and standards, making dilutions and performing injections.
(b) Reagents.
(i) Carbon disulfide.(4)
The benzene contaminant that was present in the carbon
disulfide was used as an internal standard (ISTD) in this
evaluation.Footnote (4)
Fisher Scientific Company A.C.S. Reagent Grade solvent was used in this evaluation.
(ii) Nitrogen, hydrogen and air, GC grade.
(iii) BD of known high purity.(5)
(c) Standard preparation.Footnote (5)
Matheson Gas Products, CP Grade 1,3-butadiene was used in this study.
(i) Prepare standards by diluting known volumes of BD gas with carbon disulfide. This can be accomplished by injecting the appropriate volume of BD into the headspace above the 1-mL of carbon disulfide contained in sealed 2-mL vial. Shake the vial after the needle is removed from the septum.(6)
(ii) The mass of BD gas used to prepare standards can be
determined by use of the following equations:Footnote (6)
A standard containing 7.71 ug/mL (at ambient temperature and pressure) was prepared by diluting 4 uL
of the gas with 1-mL of carbon disulfide.
MV = (760/BP)(273+t)/(273)(22.41)
Where:
MV = ambient molar volume
BP = ambient barometric pressure
T = ambient temperature
ug/uL = 54.09/MV
ug/standard = (ug/uL)(uL) BD used to prepare the standard
(d) Sample preparation.
(i) Transfer the 100-mg section of the sampling tube to a 2-mL vial. Place the 50-mg section in a separate vial. If the glass wool plugs contain a significant amount of charcoal, place them with the appropriate sampling tube section.
(ii) Add 1-mL of carbon disulfide to each vial.
(iii) Seal the vials with Teflon-lined caps and then allow them to desorb for one hour. Shake the vials by hand vigorously several times during the desorption period.
(iv) If it is not possible to analyze the samples within 4 hours, separate the carbon disulfide from the charcoal, using a disposable Pasteur-type pipet, following the one hour. This separation will improve the stability of desorbed samples.
(v) Save the used sampling tubes to be cleaned and repacked with fresh adsorbent.
(e) Analysis.
(i) GC Conditions.
Column temperature: 95 deg. C
Injector temperature: 180 deg. C
Detector temperature: 275 deg. C
Carrier gas flow rate: 30 mL/min.
Injection volume: 0.80 uL
GC column: 20-ft x 1/8-in OD stainless steel GC column containing 20%
FFAP on 80/100 Chromabsorb W-AW-DMCS.
(ii) Chromatogram. See Section 4.2.
(iii) Use a suitable method, such as electronic or peak heights, to measure detector response.
(iv) Prepare a calibration curve using several standard solutions of different concentrations. Prepare the calibration curve daily. Program the integrator to report the results in ug/mL.
(v) Bracket sample concentrations with standards.
(f) Interferences (analytical).
(i) Any compound with the same general retention time as the analyte and which also gives a detector response is a potential interference. Possible interferences should be reported by the industrial hygienist to the laboratory with submitted samples.
(ii) GC parameters (temperature, column, etc.) may be changed to circumvent interferences.
(iii) A useful means of structure designation is GC/MS. It is recommended that this procedure be used to confirm samples whenever possible.
(g) Calculations.
(i) Results are obtained by use of calibration curves. Calibration curves are prepared by plotting detector response against concentration for each standard. The best line through the data points is determined by curve fitting.
(ii) The concentration, in ug/mL, for a particular sample is determined by comparing its detector response to the calibration curve. If any analyte is found on the backup section, this amount is added to the amount found on the front section. Blank corrections should be performed before adding the results together.
(iii) The BD air concentration can be expressed using the following equation:
mg/m(3) = (A)(B)/(C)(D)
Where:
A = ug/mL from Section 3.7.2
B = volume
C = L of air sampled
D = efficiency
(iv) The following equation can be used to convert results in mg/m(3) to ppm:
ppm = (mg/m(3))(24.46)/54.09
Where:
mg/m(3) = result from Section 3.7.3.
24.46 = molar volume of an ideal gas at 760 mm Hg and 25 deg. C.
(h) Safety precautions (analytical).
(i) Avoid skin contact and inhalation of all chemicals.
(ii) Restrict the use of all chemicals to a fume hood whenever possible.
(iii) Wear safety glasses and a lab coat in all laboratory areas.
(4) Additional Information.
(a) A procedure to prepare specially cleaned charcoal coated with TBC.
(i) Apparatus.
(A) Magnetic stirrer and stir bar.
(B) Tube furnace capable of maintaining a temperature of 700 deg. C and equipped with a quartz tube that can hold 30 g of charcoal.(8)
(C) A means to purge nitrogen gas through the charcoal
inside the quartz tube.Footnote (8)
A Lindberg Type 55035 Tube furnace was used in this evaluation.
(D) Water bath capable of maintaining a temperature of 60 deg. C.
(E) Miscellaneous laboratory equipment: One-liter vacuum flask, 1-L Erlenmeyer flask, 350-M1 Buchner funnel with a coarse fitted disc, 4-oz brown bottle, rubber stopper, Teflon tape etc.
(ii) Reagents.
(A) Phosphoric acid, 10% by weight, in water.(9)
(B) 4-tert-Butylcatechol (TBC).(10)Footnote (9)
Baker Analyzed Reagent grade was diluted with water for use in this evaluation.
(C) Specially cleaned coconut shell charcoal, 20/40
mesh.(11)Footnote (10)
The Aldrich Chemical Company 99% grade was used in this evaluation.
(D) Nitrogen gas, GC grade.Footnote (11)
Specially cleaned charcoal was obtained from Supelco, Inc. for use in this evaluation. The cleaning
process used by Supelco is proprietary.
(iii) Procedure.
Weigh 30g of charcoal into a 500-mL Erlenmeyer flask. Add about 250 mL of 10% phosphoric acid to the flask and then swirl the mixture. Stir the mixture for 1 hour using a magnetic stirrer. Filter the mixture using a fitted Buchner funnel. Wash the charcoal several times with 250-mL portions of deionized water to remove all traces of the acid. Transfer the washed charcoal to the tube furnace quartz tube. Place the quartz tube in the furnace and then connect the nitrogen gas purge to the tube. Fire the charcoal to 700 deg. C. Maintain that temperature for at least 1 hour. After the charcoal has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to a tared beaker. Determine the weight of the charcoal and then add an amount of TBC which is 10% of the charcoal, by weight.
CAUTION-TBC is toxic and should only be handled in a fume hood while wearing gloves.
Carefully mix the contents of the beaker and then transfer the mixture to a 4-oz bottle. Stopper the bottle with a clean rubber stopper which has been wrapped with Teflon tape. Clamp the bottle in a water bath so that the water level is above the charcoal level. Gently heat the bath to 60 deg. C and then maintain that temperature for 1 hour. Cool the charcoal to room temperature and then transfer the coated charcoal to a suitable container.
The coated charcoal is now ready to be packed into sampling tubes. The sampling tubes should be stored in a sealed container to prevent contamination. Sampling tubes should be stored in the dark at room temperature. The sampling tubes should be segregated by coated adsorbent lot number.
(b) Chromatograms.
The chromatograms were obtained using the recommended analytical method. The chart speed was set at 1 cm/min. for the first three min. and then at 0.2 cm/min. for the time remaining in the analysis.
The peak which elutes just before BD is a reaction product between an impurity on the charcoal and TBC. This peak is always present, but it is easily resolved from the analyte. The peak which elutes immediately before benzene is an oxidation product of TBC.
(5) References.
(a) "Current Intelligence Bulletin 41, 1,3-Butadiene", U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, NIOSH.
(b) "NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods", 2nd ed.; U.S. Dept. of Health Education and Welfare, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Cincinnati, OH. 1977, Vol. 2, Method No. S91 DHEW (NIOSH) Publ. (U.S.), No. 77-157-B.
(c) Hawley, G.C., Ed. "The Condensed Chemical Dictionary", 8th ed.; Van Nostrand Rienhold Company: New York, 1971; 139.5.4. Chem. Eng. News (June 10, 1985), (63), 22-66.
Appendix E: Reserved.
APPENDIX F, MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRES, (Non-mandatory)
1,3-Butadiene (BD) Initial Health Questionnaire
DIRECTIONS:
You have been asked to answer the questions on this form
because you work with BD (butadiene). These questions are
about your work, medical history, and health concerns. Please
do your best to answer all of the questions. If you need
help, please tell the doctor or health care professional who
reviews this form.
This form is a confidential medical record. Only information
directly related to your health and safety on the job may be
given to your employer. Personal health information will not
be given to anyone without your consent.