WAC 296-800-11045   Protect employees from biological agents.  

     You must:

     (1) Protect employees from exposure to hazardous concentrations of biological agents that may result from processing, handling or using materials or waste.

Note:	Potential exposure to biological agents occurs during cleanup, or other tasks, where employees handle:
	– Animals or animal waste
	– Body fluids
	– Biological agents in a medical research lab
	– Mold or mildew
	Check The Center of Disease Control web site (www.cdc.gov) to find published guidelines and information on safe handling and protection from specific biological agents (examples: Hanta virus, TB).

     You must:

     (2) Warn employees of biohazards.

     • Use signs, tags, or labels to identify:

     – The actual or potential presence of a biohazard;

     AND

     – Equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or any combinations of these that contain viable hazardous agents.

     Definition:

     Biohazard means those infectious agents presenting a risk or potential risk of death, injury or illness to employees.

     You must:

     • Make sure the sign, tag, or label includes the biohazard symbol that is designed and proportioned in the illustration that follows.



     You must:

     • Make sure that there is sufficient contrast for the symbol to be clearly defined, if the sign, tag, or label has a background color.

    

Reference:

Additional requirements for biohazard signs, tags, and labels may apply. See WAC 296-823-14025 and 296-823-18040 of the Bloodborne Pathogens book.

Note:	• It's recommended that the sign, tag, or label have a key color of fluorescent orange or orange-red and lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
	•Appropriate wording may be used in association with the symbol to indicate:
	– The nature or identity of the hazard;
	– Name of individual responsible for its control;
	– Precautionary information;
	OR
	– Other information.
	• This information should not be written on the symbol.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 04-18-080, § 296-800-11045, filed 8/31/04, effective 11/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010,[49.17].040 , and [49.17].050. 02-16-047, § 296-800-11045, filed 8/1/02, effective 10/1/02.]