(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 | |