WAC 296-155-17315   Methods of compliance.  (1) Engineering controls and work practices and respirators.

     (a) The employer shall use one or any combination of the following control methods to achieve compliance with the permissible exposure limits prescribed by WAC 296-155-17317.

     (i) Local exhaust ventilation equipped with HEPA filter dust collection systems;

     (ii) General ventilation systems;

     (iii) Use of work practices; or

     (iv) Other engineering controls such as isolation and enclosure that the director can show to be feasible.

     (b) Wherever the feasible engineering controls and work practices which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PELs, the employer shall use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest levels achievable by these controls and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protective devices which comply with the requirements of WAC 296-155-17317.

     (2) Special provisions. For workers engaged in spray application methods, respiratory protection must be used in addition to feasible engineering controls and work practices to reduce employee exposure to or below the PELs.

     (3) Prohibitions. Compressed air shall not be used to remove MDA unless the compressed air is used in conjunction with an enclosed ventilation system designed to capture the dust cloud created by the compressed air.

     (4) Employee rotation. The employer shall not use employee rotation as a means of compliance with the exposure limits prescribed in WAC 296-155-17305.

     (5) Compliance program.

     (a) The employer shall establish and implement a written program to reduce employee exposure to or below the PELs by means of engineering and work practice controls, as required by subsection (1) of this section, and by use of respiratory protection where permitted under this section.

     (b) Upon request this written program shall be furnished for examination and copying to the director, affected employees, and designated employee representatives. The employer shall review and, as necessary, update such plans at least once every twelve months to make certain they reflect the current status of the program.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 93-04-111 (Order 92-15), § 296-155-17315, filed 2/3/93, effective 3/15/93.]