Wash. Admin. Code § 296-850-090 - Definitions

For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply:

(1) Action level - A concentration of airborne beryllium of 0.1 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

(2) Airborne exposure and airborne exposure to beryllium - The exposure to airborne beryllium that would occur if the employee were not using a respirator.

(3) Beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) - The measurement of blood lymphocyte proliferation in a laboratory test when lymphocytes are challenged with a soluble beryllium salt.

(4) Beryllium work area - Any work area where materials that contain at least 0.1 percent beryllium by weight are processed either:

(a) During any of the operations listed in Appendix A of this standard; or

(b) Where employees are, or can reasonably be expected to be, exposed to airborne beryllium at or above the action level.

(5) CBD diagnostic center - A medical diagnostic center that has a pulmonary specialist and on-site facilities to perform a clinical evaluation for the presence of chronic beryllium disease (CBD). The CBD diagnostic center must have the capacity to perform pulmonary function testing (as outlined by the American Thoracic Society criteria), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and transbronchial biopsy. The CBD diagnostic center must also have the capacity to transfer BAL samples to a laboratory for appropriate diagnostic testing within 24 hours. The on-site pulmonary specialist must be able to interpret the biopsy pathology and the BAL diagnostic test results.

(6) Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) - A chronic granulomatous (inflammatory) disease primarily of the lung, caused by exposure to beryllium, that meets the diagnostic criteria published in the department of labor and industries clinical guideline for the Diagnosis of Beryllium Sensitization and Chronic Beryllium Disease.

(7) Competent person - An individual who is capable of identifying existing and foreseeable beryllium hazards in the workplace and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them. The competent person must have the knowledge, ability, and authority necessary to fulfill the responsibilities set forth in WAC 296-850-125. This term is applicable in construction work conducted under contract with a building or facility owner or other building representative.

(8) Confirmed positive - The person tested has beryllium sensitization, as indicated by two abnormal BeLPT test results, an abnormal and a borderline test result, or three borderline test results, or any cases confirmed by the criteria published in the department of labor and industries clinical guideline for the Diagnosis of Beryllium Sensitization and Chronic Beryllium Disease. It also means the result of a more reliable and accurate test indicating a person has been identified as having beryllium sensitization.

(9) Construction work - All or any part of excavation, construction, erection, alteration, repair, demolition, and dismantling, of buildings and other structures and all operations in connection therewith; the excavation, construction, alteration and repair of sewers, trenches, caissons, conduits, pipe lines, roads and all operations pertaining thereto; the moving of buildings and other structures, and to the construction, alteration, repair, or removal of wharfs, docks, bridges, culverts, trestles, piers, abutments or any other construction, alteration, repair or removal work related thereto.

(10) Contaminated with beryllium and beryllium-contaminated - Contaminated with dust, fumes, mists, or solutions containing beryllium in concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight.

(11) Dermal contact with beryllium - Skin exposure to:

(a) Soluble beryllium compounds containing beryllium in concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight;

(b) Solutions containing beryllium in concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight; or

(c) Visible dust, fumes, or mists containing beryllium in concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight.

Note:

The handling of beryllium materials in nonparticulate solid form that are free from visible dust containing beryllium in concentrations greater than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight is not considered dermal contact under the standard.

(12) 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 an uncontrolled and unintended release of airborne beryllium that presents a significant hazard.

(13) High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter - A filter that is at least 99.97 percent efficient in removing particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter.

(14) Objective data - Information, such as air monitoring data from industry-wide surveys or calculations based on the composition of a substance, demonstrating airborne exposure to beryllium associated with a particular product or material or a specific process, task, or activity. The data must reflect workplace conditions closely resembling or with a higher airborne exposure potential than the processes, types of material, control methods, work practices, and environmental conditions in the employer's current operations.

(15) Physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) - An individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (i.e., license, registration, or certification) allows the individual to independently provide or be delegated the responsibility to provide some or all of the health care services required by WAC 296-850-155.

(16) Regulated area - An area, including temporary work areas where maintenance or nonroutine tasks are performed, where an employee's airborne exposure exceeds, or can reasonably be expected to exceed, either the time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) or short term exposure limit (STEL).

(17) Ship breaking - Breaking down a vessel's structure to scrap the vessel, including the removal of gear, equipment or any component part of a vessel.

(18) Ship building - Construction of a vessel, including the installation of machinery and equipment.

(19) Ship repairing - Repair of a vessel including, but not limited to, alterations, conversions, installations, cleaning, painting, and maintenance.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-850-090

Adopted by WSR 18-17-156, Filed 8/21/2018, effective 12/12/2018 Amended by WSR 23-07-119, Filed 3/21/2023, effective 4/1/2023