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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 296-855-20020. Exposure control areas.
Latest version.
- You must:• Establish temporary or permanent exposure control areas where airborne concentrations of ethylene oxide (EtO) exceed or could exceed the permissible exposure limits (PELs) by doing all the following:– Clearly identify the boundaries of exposure control areas in any way that minimizes employee access.– Post signs at access points to exposure control areas that:■ Are easy to read (for example, they are kept clean and well lit).AND■ Include this warning:• Prior to June 1, 2016, employers may use the following legend in lieu of that specified in this section:DANGERETHYLENE OXIDECANCER HAZARD AND REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLYRESPIRATORS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING MAY BE REQUIRED TO BE WORN IN THIS AREA• Keep signs and areas near them free of statements that contradict or detract from their message.Note:• This requirement does not prevent you from posting other signs.You must:• Allow only authorized personnel to enter exposure control areas.Note:• When identifying the boundaries of exposure control areas you should consider factors such as:– The level and duration of airborne exposure.– Whether the area is permanent or temporary.– The number of employees in adjacent areas.• You may use permanent or temporary enclosures, caution tape, ropes, painted lines on surfaces, or other materials to visibly distinguish exposure control areas or separate them from the rest of the workplace.You must:• Make sure employees entering exposure control areas have appropriate respirators available for use.• Prevent all of the following activities from occurring in exposure control areas:– Eating food.– Drinking beverages.– Smoking.– Chewing tobacco or gum.– Applying cosmetics.– Storing food, beverages, or cosmetics.