WAC 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. 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.