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. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050, and
49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-62610, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20; WSR 05-01-166, § 296-307-62610, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.]