Respiratory protection.
(1) General. For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must provide each employee an appropriate respirator that complies with the requirements of this subsection. Respirators must be used during:
(a) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work-practice controls;
(b) Work operations for which the employer establishes that engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible;
(c) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce exposure to or below the PEL;
(d) Emergencies.
(2) Respirator program. The employer must develop, implement and maintain a respiratory protection program as required by chapter
296-842 WAC, Respirators, which covers each employee required by this chapter to use a respirator.
(3) Respirator selection.
(a) The employer must select and provide to employees appropriate respirators as specified in this section and WAC
296-842-13005 in the respirator rule.
(b) Any employee who cannot use a negative-pressure respirator must be given the option of using a positive-pressure respirator, or a supplied-air respirator operated in the continuous-flow or pressure-demand mode.
(c) Provide HEPA filters or N-, R-, or P-100 filters for powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and negative-pressure air-purifying respirators.
(d) Provide to employees, for escape, one of the following respirator options:
(i) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full-facepiece or hood, operated in the positive-pressure or continuous-flow mode; or
(ii) A full-facepiece air-purifying respirator.
(e) Provide a combination HEPA filter (or N-, R-, or P-100 filter) and organic vapor canister or cartridge with air-purifying respirators when MDA is in liquid form or used as part of a process requiring heat.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050, and
49.17.060. WSR 19-01-094, § 296-62-07615, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19; WSR 09-15-145, § 296-62-07615, filed 7/21/09, effective 9/1/09; WSR 07-05-072, § 296-62-07615, filed 2/20/07, effective 4/1/07; WSR 05-03-093, § 296-62-07615, filed 1/18/05, effective 3/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. WSR 99-10-071, § 296-62-07615, filed 5/4/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter
49.17 RCW. WSR 93-04-111 (Order 92-15), § 296-62-07615, filed 2/3/93, effective 3/15/93.]