Wash. Admin. Code § 296-307-62610

Current through Register Vol. 24-20, October 15, 2024

Section 296-307-62610 - Control employee exposures

The employer must use feasible controls to protect employees from exposure to respiratory hazards by:

(1) Reducing employee exposure to a level that removes the respiratory hazard, such as to a level below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) in Table 3;

(2) Reducing the exposure to the lowest achievable level, when the respiratory hazard cannot be removed.

Note:

The following table gives examples of control methods.

Table 1 Examples of Possible Controls

Control:	For example:
Using a different chemical (substitution)	Choose a chemical with a lower evaporation rate or vapor pressure. Choose a chemical without hazardous ingredients.
Changing a process to lessen emissions	Use hand rolling or paint dipping instead of paint spraying. Bolt items instead of welding them.
Separating employees from emissions areas and sources	Use control rooms. Build an enclosure around process machinery or other emissions sources. *Automate a process.
Removing emissions at or near the source (local exhaust ventilation)	Install exhaust hoods or slots to capture emissions. Use an exhausted enclosure (like a blasting cabinet or laboratory hood).
Diluting and removing emissions in the work area (general exhaust ventilation)	Allow natural air movement to create an adequate airflow through an area. Use mechanical fans.
Modify work practices	* Change the position of the worker relative to the work so fumes, vapors, or smoke do not go into their face.
Rotate employees - Some specific rules prohibit the use of this control method	* Move employees to another job that is without exposure, on a schedule to keep their total exposure below the permissible exposure limit.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-307-62610

Amended by WSR 20-21-091, Filed 10/20/2020, effective 11/20/2020

Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 05-01-166, § 296-307-62610, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.