WAC 296-842-17005   Maintain respirators in a clean and reliable condition.  

     IMPORTANT:

     • This section applies to employees who voluntarily use respirators only when maintenance is necessary to prevent the respirator from creating a hazard. See WAC 296-842-11005 for voluntary use requirements.

     (1) Make sure respirators are kept, at no cost to the employee, clean, sanitary and in good working order.

     (2) Clean and disinfect respirators as often as specified in Table 8 of this section.


Note: • Use required cleaning and disinfecting procedures in WAC 296-842-22015, or the manufacturer's procedures that:
– Result in a clean and sanitary respirator;
– Do not damage the respirator;
– Do not harm the user.
• Automated cleaning and disinfecting are permitted.
• Cleaning and disinfecting may be done by a central facility as long as you make sure respirators provided are clean, sanitary, and function properly.

     (3) Make sure respirators are assembled properly after cleaning or disinfecting.


Table 8

Required Frequencies for Cleaning and Disinfecting Respirators
If the respirator will

be . . . 		Then clean and disinfect the respirator . . .
• Used exclusively by one employee • As often as needed to:
– Keep it clean and functional
AND
    – To prevent health hazards such as skin irritation
• Shared for nonemergency use • Before it is worn by another employee
OR  
• Used for fit-testing or training  
• Shared for emergency use • After each use so the respirator is immediately ready for use at all times




[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050 and 29 C.F.R. Subpart Z. 09-19-119, § 296-842-17005, filed 9/22/09, effective 12/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 07-05-072, § 296-842-17005, filed 2/20/07, effective 4/1/07; 03-20-114, § 296-842-17005, filed 10/1/03, effective 1/1/04.]