WAC 296-843-15005   Establish and implement decontamination procedures before any worker or equipment enters a contaminated area.  

     You must:

     • Establish, implement, and communicate decontamination procedures to all workers, to include the following:

     – Standard operating procedures to minimize worker contact with:

     ▪ Hazardous substances.

     ▪ Contaminated equipment.

     – Decontaminating all:

     ▪ Workers leaving a contaminated area.

     ▪ Equipment leaving a contaminated area.

     – Decontaminating, cleaning, laundering, repairing, or replacing protective clothing or equipment (PPE) as needed to maintain effectiveness.

     – Immediate removal of clothing, such as cotton coveralls, wet with hazardous substances and use of the nearest shower.

     ▪ Decontaminate or dispose of clothing before removal from the work zone.

     – Periodically monitoring procedures for effectiveness by the site safety and health supervisor.

     – Correct your procedures when found ineffective.

     – Establish decontamination areas to minimize contact of contaminated employees and equipment with uncontaminated employees or equipment.

     – Make sure only authorized employees remove protective clothing or equipment from changing rooms.

     – Inform commercial laundries or cleaning establishments about the potentially harmful effects from exposure to hazardous substances.

     – Properly decontaminate or dispose of decontamination equipment and solvents.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-02-053, § 296-843-15005, filed 1/5/04, effective 5/1/04.]