PDFWAC 296-307-70460
Personal protective equipment.
Notes: | 1. Only properly trained employees should select PPE. Hazardous materials technicians and hazardous materials specialists can select PPE within the competencies specified in Table 4. |
2. Selection requirements in other PPE rules also apply, including: | |
a. Chapter 296-307 WAC, Part Y-5, Respirators. | |
b. Chapter 296-305 WAC, Safety standards for firefighting. |
(1) The employer must provide employees with appropriate PPE and make sure it is used if hazards could be present.
(2) The employer must select PPE (such as respirators, gloves, protective suits and other PPE) based on:
(a) An evaluation of the performance characteristics (such as breakthrough time and hazardous substance-specificity of the material or item) relevant to the requirements and limitations of the site.
(b) Task-specific conditions and durations.
(c) The hazards and potential hazards of the site (see Table 9, Selecting PPE for Specific Hazards).
(3) The employer must select totally encapsulating chemical protective (TECP) suits, as specified in Table 9, that:
(a) Maintain positive air pressure.
(b) Prevent inward test gas leakage of more than 0.5 percent.
Note: | Follow the manufacturer's recommended procedure for testing a TECP suit's ability to maintain positive air pressure and prevent inward gas leakage. Other established test protocols for these suits, for example NFPA 1991 and ASTM F1052-97, may also be used. |
Table 9 Selecting PPE for Specific Hazards | |
If: | Then use: |
• Inhalation hazards could be present. | • Positive-pressure (pressure-demand) self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or • A decreased level of respiratory protection only when the incident commander determines, from air monitoring results, that employees will be adequately protected. |
Chemical exposure levels will create a substantial possibility of: • Immediate death. • Immediate serious illness or injury. • Reduced ability to escape. | Either positive-pressure (pressure-demand): • SCBA • Air-line respirators equipped with an escape air supply. |
Skin absorption of a hazardous substance may result in a substantial possibility of: • Immediate death. • Immediate serious illness or injury. • Reduced ability to escape. | Protection equivalent to Level A including a totally encapsulating chemical protective (TECP) suit. |