Section 296-307-550. Employer chemical hazard communication—Introduction.

Important:

Thousands of chemicals can be found in today's workplaces. These chemicals may have the capacity to cause health problems, from minor skin irritations to serious injuries or diseases like cancer.

The employer chemical hazard communication rule was developed to make sure employers and employees are informed about chemical hazards in the workplace.

This rule applies to:

• Employers engaged in businesses where chemicals are used, distributed, or produced for use or distribution.

• Contractors or subcontractors that work for employers engaged in businesses where chemicals are used, distributed, or produced for use or distribution.

Note:	•	If you produce, import, distribute and/or repackage chemicals, or choose not to rely on labels or material safety data sheets provided by the manufacturer or importer, you must comply with Material safety data sheets and label preparation, WAC 296-307-560 through 296-307-56050.
	•	You may withhold trade secret information under certain circumstances, see Trade secrets, WAC 296-62-053, to find out what information may be withheld as a trade secret and what information must be released.
	•	WAC 296-307-550, Part Y-1, Employer Chemical Hazard Communication, has been changed and replaced by WAC 296-901-140, Hazard communication. However, there are several implementation dates which are listed below and during the transitions employers can comply with this chapter or WAC 296-901-140, Hazard communication until completion of each effective date.

EXEMPTIONS:	•	For the purposes of this employer hazard communication rule, if you are engaged in agricultural production of crops or livestock, "employee" does not mean:
		- Immediate family members of the officers of any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other business entity or officers of any closely held corporation.
	•	Certain products, chemicals, or items are exempt from this rule. Below is a summarized list of these exemptions. See WAC 296-307-55055 at the end of this rule to get complete information about these exemptions:
		- Any hazardous waste or substance
		- Tobacco or tobacco products
		- Wood or wood products that are not chemically treated and will not be processed, for example, by sawing and sanding
		- Food or alcoholic beverages
		- Some drugs, such as retail or prescription medications
		- Retail cosmetics
		- Ionizing and nonionizing radiation
		- Biological hazards
		- Any consumer product or hazardous substance when workplace exposure is the same as that of a consumer
		■ Retail products used in offices in the same manner and frequency used by consumers can be termed "consumer products." Consumer products include things such as: Correction fluid, glass cleaner, and dishwashing liquid.

Example:	If you use a household cleaner in your workplace in the same way that a consumer would use it when cleaning their house, the exposure should be the same as the consumer's. ("In the same way" means using the household cleaner in the same manner and frequency.) A janitor using a household cleaner, such as bleach, throughout the day, is not considered to be consumer use.
	- Manufactured items that remain intact are exempt for this rule.
	The following are examples:

	- Manufactured items that are fluids or in the form of particles are not exempt for this rule.

Your responsibility:

To inform and train your employees about the hazards of chemicals they may be exposed to during normal working conditions, or in foreseeable emergencies by:

• Making a list of the hazardous chemicals present in your workplace

• Preparing a written Chemical Hazard Communication Program for your workplace

• Informing your employees about this rule and your program

• Providing training to your employees about working in the presence of hazardous chemicals

• Getting and keeping the material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for the hazardous chemicals

• Making sure that labels on containers of hazardous chemicals are in place and easy to read

You must:

Develop, implement, maintain, and make available a written Chemical Hazard Communication Program

WAC 296-307-55005

Identify and list all the hazardous chemicals present in your workplace

WAC 296-307-55010

Obtain and maintain material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for each hazardous chemical used

WAC 296-307-55015

Make sure that material safety data sheets (MSDSs) are readily accessible to your employees

WAC 296-307-55020

Label containers holding hazardous chemicals

WAC 296-307-55025

Inform and train your employees about hazardous chemicals in your workplace

WAC 296-307-55030

Follow these rules for laboratories using hazardous chemicals

WAC 296-307-55035

Follow these rules for handling chemicals in factory sealed containers

WAC 296-307-55040

The department must:

Translate certain chemical hazard communication documents upon request

WAC 296-307-55045

Attempt to obtain a material safety data sheet (MSDS) upon request

WAC 296-307-55050

Exemption: Items or chemicals exempt from the rule, and exemptions from labeling

WAC 296-307-55055

Definitions

WAC 296-307-55060

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 15-13-097, § 296-307-550, filed 6/16/15, effective 8/3/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, § 296-307-550, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-17-033, § 296-307-550, filed 8/8/01, effective 9/1/01.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 15-13-097, § 296-307-550, filed 6/16/15, effective 8/3/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, § 296-307-550, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-17-033, § 296-307-550, filed 8/8/01, effective 9/1/01.

Rules

296-307-560,296-307-56050,296-62-053,296-901-140,296-901-140,296-307-55055,296-307-55005,296-307-55010,296-307-55015,296-307-55020,296-307-55025,296-307-55030,296-307-55035,296-307-55040,296-307-55045,296-307-55050,296-307-55055,