WAC 296-304-03007
Painting. All respirators required by
this section must meet the requirements of chapter 296-842 WAC.
(1) Paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents.
(a) When employees spray paints mixed with toxic vehicles
or solvents, the employer must ensure that the following
conditions are met:
(i) In confined spaces, employees continuously exposed to
spraying are protected by air line respirators.
(ii) In tanks or compartments, employees continuously
exposed to spraying are protected by air line respirators. Where mechanical ventilation is provided, employees are
protected by respirators.
(iii) In large and well ventilated areas, employees
exposed to spraying are protected by respirators.
(b) The employer must ensure that where employees apply
by brush paints with toxic solvents in confined spaces or
other areas where lack of ventilation creates a hazard, the
employees are protected by filter respirators.
(c) When flammable paints or vehicles are used,
precautions shall be taken in accordance with the requirements
of WAC 296-304-03009.
(d) The metallic parts of air moving devices, including
fans, blowers, and jet-type air movers, and all duct work
shall be electrically bonded to the vessel's structure.
(2) Paints and tank coatings dissolved in highly
volatile, toxic and flammable solvents. Several organic
coatings, adhesives and resins are dissolved in highly toxic,
flammable and explosive solvents with flash points below 80°F.
Work involving such materials shall be done only when all of
the following special precautions have been taken:
(a) Sufficient exhaust ventilation shall be provided to
keep the concentration of solvent vapors below ten percent of
the lower explosive limit. Frequent tests shall be made by a
competent person to ascertain the concentration.
(b) If the ventilation fails or if the concentration of
solvent vapors reaches or exceeds ten percent of the lower
explosive limit, painting shall be stopped and the compartment
shall be evacuated until the concentration again falls below
ten percent of the lower explosive limit. If the
concentration does not fall when painting is stopped,
additional ventilation to bring the concentration down to ten
percent of the lower explosive limit shall be provided.
(c) Ventilation shall be continued after the completion
of painting until the space or compartment is gas free. The
final determination as to whether the space or compartment is
gas free shall be made after the ventilating equipment has
been shut off for a least ten minutes.
(d) Exhaust ducts shall discharge clear of working areas
and away from sources of possible ignition. Periodic tests
shall be made to ensure that the exhausted vapors are not
accumulating in other areas within or around the vessel or dry
dock.
(e) All motors and control equipment shall be of the
explosion-proof type. Fans shall have nonferrous blades. Portable air ducts shall also be of nonferrous materials. All
motors and associated control equipment shall be properly
maintained and grounded.
(f) Only nonsparking paint buckets, spray guns and tools
shall be used. Metal parts of paint brushes and rollers shall
be insulated. Staging shall be erected in a manner which
ensures that it is nonsparking.
(g) Only explosion proof lights, approved by the
Underwriters' Laboratories for use in Class I, Group D
atmospheres, or approved as permissible by the U.S. Bureau of
Mines or the U.S. Coast Guard, shall be used.
(h) A competent person shall inspect all power and
lighting cables to ensure that the insulation is in excellent
condition, free of all cracks and worn spots, that there are
no connections within fifty feet of the operation, that lines
are not overloaded, and that they are suspended with
sufficient slack to prevent undue stress or chafing.
(i) The face, eyes, head, hands and all other exposed
parts of the bodies of employees handling highly volatile
paints must be protected according to WAC 296-304-090. All
footwear must be nonsparking, such as rubbers, rubber boots or
rubber soled shoes without nails. Coveralls or other outer
clothing must be made of cotton. Rubber gloves, instead of
plastic gloves, must be used to protect against the danger of
static sparks.
(j) No matches, lighted cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, and
no cigarette lighters or ferrous articles shall be taken into
the area where work is being done.
(k) All solvent drums taken into the compartment shall be
placed on nonferrous surfaces and shall be grounded to the
vessel. Metallic contact shall be maintained between
containers and drums when materials are being transferred from
one to another.
(l) Spray guns, paint pots, and metallic parts of
connecting tubing shall be electrically bonded, and the bonded
assembly shall be grounded to the vessel.
(m) The employer must ensure that all employees
continuously in a compartment in which such painting is
performed, are protected by air line respirators and by
suitable protective clothing. Employees entering such
compartments for a limited time must be protected by filter
cartridge type respirators.
(n) The employer must ensure that all employees doing
exterior paint spraying with such paints are protected by
suitable filter cartridge type respirators and by suitable
protective clothing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050,
49.17.060. 05-03-093, § 296-304-03007, filed 1/18/05,
effective 3/1/05; 03-04-099, § 296-304-03007, filed 2/4/03,
effective 8/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040,[49.17].050
and [49.17].060. 98-02-006, § 296-304-03007,
filed 12/26/97, effective 3/1/98. Statutory Authority:
Chapter 49.17 RCW. 95-04-006, § 296-304-03007, filed 1/18/95,
effective 3/10/95; 93-19-142 (Order 93-04), § 296-304-03007,
filed 9/22/93, effective 11/1/93; Order 76-7, § 296-304-03007,
filed 3/1/76; Order 74-25, § 296-304-03007, filed 5/7/74.]