PDFWAC 296-843-19005
Provide and use appropriate PPE.
Reference: | See WAC 296-843-110 Evaluations and inspections, found in this chapter, for more information about how to identify hazards and complete your preliminary site evaluation. |
(1) You must make sure the PPE you provide and use for initial entry protects employees from known or suspected safety and health hazards identified during the preliminary site evaluation as follows:
If | Then |
The need for atmosphere supplying respirators and chemical protective clothing has NOT been eliminated | Provide atmosphere supplying respirators and protective clothing |
Employees use respiratory protection other than a positive-pressure SCBA for initial entry | Include an escape self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with enough air to reach a safe location and always at least five minutes of air |
Use Table 2, Selecting PPE in Various Exposure Situations, to determine the level of PPE to provide during initial entry.
(2) You must make sure the PPE you select provides employee protection based on:
(a) Actual and potential hazards identified during the site characterization and analysis (see WAC 296-843-110 Evaluations and inspections).
(b) Hazards likely to be encountered.
(c) Required tasks and their duration.
(d) Site requirements and limitations.
(e) Use Table 2 to identify the type of PPE that is required for various exposure situations.
Table 2
Selecting PPE in Various Exposure Situations
If | Then | |||
Changing site conditions indicate a change in employee exposure | Review and adjust the level of protection as appropriate | |||
Note: | ||||
You may decrease the level of protection when information indicates this will not increase employee exposure to safety or health hazards | ||||
There is a substantial possibility that skin absorption or contact with a hazardous substance may: | Use totally encapsulating chemical protective (TECP) suits and make sure they will protect employees from the hazards | |||
• | Impair an employee's ability to escape | • | Use, decontaminate, inspect, and remove TECP suits from service according to the manufacturer's recommendations | |
• | Cause immediate serious illness or injury | • | Perform any TECP integrity tests recommended by the manufacturer and make sure all TECP suits are capable of: | |
• | Is an IDLH or immediate death hazard | – | Maintaining positive air pressure | |
– | Preventing inward test gas leakage of more than 0.5% | |||
Note: | ||||
Follow the manufacturer's recommended procedures 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 | ||||
There is a substantial possibility that employee exposure to hazardous substances will either: | Use a positive-pressure SCBA or an airline respirator with an escape SCBA | |||
• | Immediately cause death, serious illness, or serious injury | • | Protect air supply from contamination and the entire respirator system from physical damage | |
OR | ||||
• | Impair an employee's ability to escape | |||
Note: | If there is not a permissible exposure limit (PEL) or other published exposure level for a hazardous substance, you may use published studies and information as a guide for selecting appropriate PPE. |
(3) PPE required by this standard must be provided at no cost to the employees.