Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016) |
Title 296. Labor and Industries, Department of |
Chapter 296-307. Safety standards for agriculture. |
Section 296-307-60605. Conduct fit testing.
Latest version.
- You must:• Provide, at no cost to the employee, fit tests for ALL tight fitting respirators on the following schedule:– Before employees are assigned duties that may require the use of respirators– At least every twelve months after initial testing– Whenever any of the following occurs:■ A different respirator facepiece is chosen such as a different type, model, style, or size■ You become aware of a physical change in an employee that could affect respirator fit. For example, you may observe, or be told about, facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or obvious weight changes■ An employee notifies you, or your LHCP, that the respirator fit is unacceptable. During the retest, you must give an employee reasonable opportunity to select a different respirator facepiece (size, model, etc.).Note:You may accept a fit test completed by a previous employer IF:• You obtain written documentation of the fit testAND• The results of the fit test are not more than twelve months oldAND• The employee will use the same respirator (the same type, model, style, and size)AND• The fit test was conducted in a way that meets the requirements of WAC 296-307-606 and 296-307-62010.You must:• Select an appropriate fit-testing procedure from WAC 296-307-62010 of this part AND:– Use quantitative fit-test methods when a negative pressure respirator will be used in concentrations requiring a protection factor greater than 10. This includes:■ Full facepiece air-purifying respirators■ SCBAs operated in demand (negative pressure) mode■ Air-line respirators operated in demand mode.– Make sure PAPRs, SCBAs, or air-line respirators are fit tested in negative-pressure mode.• Make sure the person conducting fit testing is able to do ALL of the following:– Prepare test solutions if required– Make sure equipment works properly– Perform tests properly– Recognize invalid tests– Calculate fit factors properly if required.Note:• No specific training program or certification is required for those who conduct fit tests.• You should consider evaluating these individuals to determine their proficiency in the fit-testing method to be used.• You can use an evaluation form such as the form included in the American National Standard for Respirator Fit Testing Methods, ANSI/AIHA Z88.10-2001 to determine if the individual meets these requirements. Visit www.ansi.org or www.aiha.org.
Rules
296-307-606,296-307-62010,296-307-62010,