WAC 296-56-60057   Fumigants, pesticides, insecticides and hazardous preservatives (see also WAC 296-56-60049, 296-56-60051 and 296-56-60053).  (1) Whenever cargo in a space is or has been stowed, handled, or treated with a fumigant, pesticide, insecticide, or hazardous preservative, a determination shall be made as to whether a hazardous atmosphere is present in the space. Only employees protected as required in subsection (5) of this section shall enter the space if it is hazardous.

     (2) Tests to determine the atmospheric concentration of chemicals used to treat cargo shall be:

     (a) Appropriate for the hazard involved;

     (b) Conducted by designated persons; and

     (c) Performed at the intervals necessary to ensure that employee exposure does not exceed the permissible exposure limit for the chemical involved, see chapters 296-62 and 296-841 WAC.

     (3) Results of any tests shall be available for at least thirty days.

     (4) Chemicals shall only be applied to cargoes by designated persons.

     (5) Only designated persons shall enter hazardous atmospheres. Whenever a hazardous atmosphere is entered the following provisions apply.

     (a) Persons entering a space containing a hazardous atmosphere shall be protected by respiratory and emergency protective equipment meeting the requirements of part G of this standard; and

     (b) Persons entering a space containing a hazardous atmosphere shall be instructed in the nature of the hazard, precautions to be taken, and the use of protective and emergency equipment. Standby observers, similarly equipped and instructed, shall continuously monitor the activity of employees within such a space.

     (6) Signs shall be clearly posted where fumigants, pesticides or hazardous preservatives have created a hazardous atmosphere. These signs shall note the danger, identify specific chemical hazards, and give appropriate information and precautions, including instructions for the emergency treatment of employees affected by any chemical in use.

     (7) In the case of containerized shipments of fumigated tobacco, the contents of the container shall be aerated by opening the container doors for a period of forty-eight hours after the completion of fumigation and prior to loading. When tobacco is within shipping cases having polyethylene or similar bag liners, the aeration period shall be seventy-two hours. The employer shall obtain a written warranty from the fumigation facility stating that the appropriate aeration period has been met.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 05-03-093, § 296-56-60057, filed 1/18/05, effective 3/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010,[49.17].040 , and [49.17].050. 00-21-103, § 296-56-60057, filed 10/18/00, effective 2/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-02-024, § 296-56-60057, filed 12/30/98, effective 3/30/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60057, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60057, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60057, filed 12/11/84.]