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Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016) |
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Title 296. Labor and Industries, Department of |
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Chapter 296-855. Ethylene oxide. |
Section 296-855-100. Scope.
Latest version.
- This chapter applies to all occupational exposure to ethylene oxide.Definition:• Ethylene oxide (EtO) is an organic chemical represented by the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number 75-21-8. It is a flammable colorless gas that is commonly used to sterilize medical equipment and as a fumigant for certain agricultural products. It is also used as an intermediary in the production of various chemicals such as ethylene glycol, automotive antifreeze, and polyethylene.• Exposure is the contact an employee has with EtO, whether or not protection is provided by respirators or other personal protective equipment (PPE). Exposure can occur through various routes of entry such as inhalation, ingestion, or skin and eye contact.Some of the requirements in this chapter may not apply to every workplace with an occupational exposure to EtO. The following steps will show which requirements apply to your workplace based on employee exposure monitoring results.Step one:Follow requirements in the basic rules section, WAC 296-855-20010 through 296-855-20090.Step two:Use employee exposure monitoring results from the exposure evaluations required by, Exposure evaluations, WAC 296-855-20050, and follow Table 1 to find out which additional sections of this chapter apply to your workplace.Step three:You need only follow Exposure records, WAC 296-855-20070 and Medical records, WAC 296-855-30080 if you have documentation conclusively demonstrating that employee exposure for ethylene oxide and the operation where it's used, cannot exceed the AL or STEL during any conditions reasonably anticipated.• Such documentation can be based on observations, data, calculations, and previous air monitoring results.Table 1Sections That Apply to Your Workplace
Rules
296-855-20010,296-855-20090,296-855-20050,296-855-20070,296-855-30080,