PDFWAC 296-307-61005
Maintain respirators in a clean and reliable condition.
(1) The employer must make sure respirators are kept, at no cost to the employee, clean, sanitary and in good working order. Do at least the following:
Clean and disinfect respirators as often as specified in Table 8 of this section.
Notes: | 1. Use required cleaning and disinfecting procedures in WAC 296-307-62015, or the manufacturer's procedures that: |
a. Result in a clean and sanitary respirator; | |
b. Do not damage the respirator; | |
c. Do not harm the user. | |
2. Automated cleaning and disinfecting are permitted; | |
3. Cleaning and disinfecting may be done by a central facility as long as you make sure respirators provided are clean, sanitary, and function properly. |
(2) The employer must make sure respirators are assembled properly after cleaning or disinfecting.
Use Table 8 to determine how often to clean and disinfect respirators.
Table 8
Required Frequencies for Cleaning and Disinfecting Respirators
If, the respirator will be . . . | Then, clean and disinfect the respirator . . . | |
• Used exclusively by one employee | • As often as needed to: | |
– Keep it clean and functional | ||
and | ||
– To prevent health hazards such as skin irritation | ||
• Shared for nonemergency use | • Before it is worn by another employee | |
or | ||
• Used for fit-testing or training | ||
• Shared for emergency use | • After each use so the respirator is immediately ready for use at all times | |