IMPORTANT: Respirator use is
not voluntary, and the required use sections of this
chapter apply, if:
1. You
choose to require respirator use.
2. A
respiratory hazard, such as
exposure to a substance over the permissible
exposure limit (PEL) or
hazardous
exposure to an airborne biological hazard, is present. To
evaluate respiratory hazards in your workplace, see chapter
296-841
WAC, Airborne contaminants.
3. Some requirements in this
section do not apply if only filtering-facepiece respirators are used
voluntarily.
4. Some
filtering-facepiece respirators are equipped with a
sorbent layer for
absorbing "nuisance" organic vapors. These can be used for
voluntary
use, but are not
NIOSH certified for protection against hazardous
concentrations of organic vapor.
(1) Make sure voluntary
respirator
use does
NOT:
(a)
Interfere with an employee's ability to work safely, such as
restricting necessary vision or radio communication; or
(b) Create health hazards.
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Note:
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Examples of health hazards
include:
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1. Skin irritation, dermatitis, or other
health effects caused by using a dirty respirator.
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|
2. Illness created by sharing contaminated
respirators. 3. Health effects caused by use of an unsafe air supply,
such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
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(2) Provide all voluntary
respirator users with the advisory information in Table 2 at no cost
to them.
(3) Develop and
maintain a written program that includes the following:
(a) Medical evaluation provisions
as specified in WAC
296-842-14005.
(b) Procedures to properly clean
and disinfect respirators, according to WAC
296-842-22015, if they
are reused.
(c) How to
properly store respirators, according to WAC
296-842-17010, so that
using them does not create hazards.
(d) Procedures to make sure there
is a safe air supply, according to WAC
296-842-20010, when
using air-line respirators and SCBAs.
(e) Effective training to ensure
respirator use does NOT create a hazard.
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Exemption:
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If employees use only filtering-facepiece
respirators and do so only voluntarily, you do not need to develop
and maintain a written program.
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(4) Use Table 2 to provide
information to employees who voluntarily use any type of
respirator.
Table 2
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Advisory Information for Employees Who
Voluntarily Use Respirators
* Respirators protect against airborne
hazards when properly selected and used. Respirator usage that is
required by DOSH or your employer is not voluntary use. With required
use, your employer will need to provide further training and meet
additional requirements in this chapter. DOSH recommends voluntary
use of respirators when exposure to substances is below DOSH
permissible exposure limits (PELs) because respirators can provide
you an additional level of comfort and protection.
* If you choose to voluntarily use a
respirator (whether it is provided by you or your employer) be aware
that respirators can create hazards for you, the user.
You can avoid these hazards if you know how to use your respirator
properly AND how to keep it clean. Take these steps:
- Read and follow all instructions provided
by the manufacturer about use, maintenance (cleaning and care), and
warnings regarding the respirator's limitations.
- Choose respirators that have been certified
for use to protect against the substance of concern. The National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certifies
respirators. If a respirator is not certified by NIOSH, you have no
guarantee that it meets minimum design and performance standards for
workplace use.
* A NIOSH approval label will appear on or in
the respirator packaging. It will tell you what protection the
respirator provides.
- Keep track of your respirator so you do not
mistakenly use someone else's.
- DO NOT wear your respirator
into:
* Required use situations when you are only
allowed voluntary use.
* Atmospheres containing hazards that your
respirator is not designed to protect against.
For example, a respirator designed to filter
dust particles will not protect you against solvent vapor, smoke or
oxygen deficiency.
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Notes
Wash. Admin. Code §
296-842-11005
Amended by
WSR
17-18-075, Filed 9/5/2017, effective
10/6/2017
Statutory Authority:
RCW 49.17.050 and 29
C.F.R. Subpart Z. 09-19-119, § 296-842-11005, filed 9/22/09,
effective 12/1/09. Statutory Authority:
RCW 49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050,
49.17.060. 07-05-072,
§ 296-842-11005, filed 2/20/07, effective 4/1/07; 03-20-114,
§ 296-842-11005, filed 10/1/03, effective
1/1/04.
