WAC 296-32-250
Tools and personal protective
equipment -- General. (1) Personal protective equipment (PPE),
protective devices and special tools needed for the work of
employees shall be provided and the employer shall ensure that
they are used by employees.
(a) Before each day's use the employer shall ensure that
these personal protective devices, tools, and equipment are
carefully inspected by a competent person to ascertain that
they are in good condition.
(b) Tools found to be defective shall be taken out of
service.
(c) PPE shall be provided at no cost to the employee.
(2) Head protection. Head protection meeting the
requirements of ANSI Z89.2-1971, "Safety Requirements for
Industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical Workers, Class
B", must be provided whenever there is possible exposure to
high voltage electrical contact. Employers must make sure
that employees use the head protection.
(3) Eye protection. Protective eye and face equipment
shall be required where there is a possibility of injury that
can be prevented by such equipment. In such cases, employers
shall make conveniently available a type of protector suitable
for the work to be performed, and employees shall use such
protectors.
Note:
See WAC 296-800-160 for additional personal protective equipment requirements.
(4) Tent heaters, torches and open flame. Open flames
shall not be used within ground tents or on platforms within
aerial tents unless:
(a) The tent covers are constructed of fire resistant
materials, and
(b) Ventilation is provided to maintain safe oxygen
levels and avoid harmful buildup of combustion products and
combustible gases.
(5) Portable power equipment.
(a) All portable power equipment used in the
telecommunications industry shall be grounded.
(b) Nominal 120V, or less, portable generators used for
providing power at work locations do not require grounding if
the output circuit is completely isolated from the frame of
the unit.
(c) Grounding shall be omitted when using soldering
irons, guns or wire-wrap tools on telecommunication circuits.
(6) Vehicle-mounted utility generators. Vehicle-mounted
utility generators used for providing nominal 240V AC or less
for powering portable tools and equipment need not be grounded
to earth if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) One side of the voltage source is solidly strapped to
the metallic structure of the vehicle;
(b) Grounding-type outlets are used, with a "grounding"
conductor between the outlet grounding terminal and the side
of the voltage source that is strapped to the vehicle;
(c) All metallic encased tools and equipment that are
powered from this system are equipped with three-wire cords
and grounding-type attachment plugs, except as designated in
subsection (7) of this section.
(7) Portable lights, tools and appliances. When operated
from commercial power such metal parts of these devices shall
be grounded, unless these tools or appliances are protected by
a system of double insulation, or its equivalent. Where such
a system is employed, the equipment shall be distinctively
marked to indicate double insulation.
(8) Lead work. When operated from commercial power the
metal housing of electric solder pots shall be grounded. Electric solder pots may be used with the power equipment
described in this subsection, without a grounding conductor.
The employer shall ensure that wiping gloves or cloths
and eye protection are used in lead wiping operations. A drip
pan to catch hot lead drippings shall also be provided and
used.
(9) Fire extinguishers.
(a) Fire extinguishers shall be provided for the
protection of both the building structure and the occupancy
hazards contained therein.
(b) Employees shall be familiar with the location and
operation of fire extinguishers.
(c) Any fire extinguishers showing defects shall be
removed from service.
(d) Fire extinguishers shall be thoroughly examined
and/or recharged or repaired to insure operability and safety
once every year.
(e) Each fire extinguisher shall have a durable tag
securely attached to show the maintenance or recharge date and
the initials or signature of the person performing this
service.
Note:
For additional requirements relating to portable fire extinguishers see WAC 296-800-300.