PDFWAC 296-307-62610
Control employee exposures.
The employer must use feasible controls to protect employees from exposure to respiratory hazards by:
(1) Reducing employee exposure to a level that removes the respiratory hazard, such as to a level below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) in Table 3;
or
(2) Reducing the exposure to the lowest achievable level, when the respiratory hazard cannot be removed.
Note: | The following table gives examples of control methods. |
Table 1
Examples of Possible Controls
Control: | For example: |
Using a different chemical (substitution) | • Choose a chemical with a lower evaporation rate or vapor pressure. |
• Choose a chemical without hazardous ingredients. | |
Changing a process to lessen emissions | • Use hand rolling or paint dipping instead of paint spraying. |
• Bolt items instead of welding them. | |
Separating employees from emissions areas and sources | • Use control rooms. |
• Build an enclosure around process machinery or other emissions sources. | |
• Automate a process. | |
Removing emissions at or near the source (local exhaust ventilation) | • Install exhaust hoods or slots to capture emissions. |
• Use an exhausted enclosure (like a blasting cabinet or laboratory hood). | |
Diluting and removing emissions in the work area (general exhaust ventilation) | • Allow natural air movement to create an adequate airflow through an area. |
• Use mechanical fans. | |
Modify work practices | • Change the position of the worker relative to the work so fumes, vapors, or smoke do not go into their face. |
Rotate employees – Some specific rules prohibit the use of this control method | • Move employees to another job that is without exposure, on a schedule to keep their total exposure below the permissible exposure limit. |