This part applies to all use of respirators at work.
IMPORTANT: Before you decide to use respirators, you are required to evaluate respiratory hazards and implement control methods as outlined in WAC
296-307-624 through
296-307-628, Respiratory hazards.
The term "respiratory hazards" will be used throughout this part to refer to oxygen deficient conditions and harmful airborne hazards.
Definition: Respirators are a type of personal protective equipment designed to protect the wearer from respiratory hazards.
You can use Table 1 for general guidance on which sections apply to you.
Table 1
Sections that apply to your workplace
| If employees... | Then the sections marked with an "X" apply... |
| 596 | 598 | 600 | 602-618 | 620 | 622 |
| Request and are permitted to voluntarily use filtering-facepiece respirators, and are not exposed to a respiratory hazard | | X | | | | X |
| Request and are permitted to voluntarily use respirators that are NOT filtering-facepiece respirators, and are not exposed to a respiratory hazard | X | X | | | X | X |
| Are required to use any respirator by WISHA or the employer | X | | X | X | X | X |
| Would use an escape respirator in an emergency | X | | X | X | X | X |
| Reference: | See WAC 296-307-100, Personal protective equipment (PPE) to find requirements for other types of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as eye, hand, and head protection. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 05-01-166, § 296-307-594, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.]