(a) This section includes requirements for the control of employee
exposure to vinyl chloride (chloroethene), Chemical Abstracts
Service Registry No. 75014.
(b) This section applies to the manufacture, reaction, packaging,
repackaging, storage, handling or use of vinyl chloride or polyvinyl
chloride, but does not apply to the handling or use of fabricated
products made of polyvinyl chloride.
(c) This section applies to the transportation of vinyl chloride
or polyvinyl chloride except to the extent that the department
of transportation may regulate the hazards covered by this section.
(2) Definitions.
(a) “Action level” means a concentration
of vinyl chloride of 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day.
(b) “Authorized person” means
any person specifically authorized by the employer whose duties
require him/her to enter a regulated area or any person entering
such an area as a designated representative of employees for
the purpose of exercising an opportunity to observe monitoring
and measuring procedures.
(c) “Director” means the director of department
of labor and industries or his/her designated representative.
(d) “Emergency” means any occurrence such
as, but not limited to, equipment failure, or operation of a
relief device which is likely to, or does, result in massive
release of vinyl chloride.
(e) "Fabricated product" means a product made wholly
or partly from polyvinyl chloride, and which does not require
further processing at temperatures, and for times, sufficient
to cause mass melting of the polyvinyl chloride resulting in
the release of vinyl chloride.
(f) “Hazardous operation” means any operation,
procedure, or activity where a release of either vinyl chloride
liquid or gas might be expected as a consequence of the operation
or because of an accident in the operation, which would result
in an employee exposure in excess of the permissible exposure
limit.
(g) “Polyvinyl chloride” means polyvinyl
chloride homopolymer or copolymer before such is converted to
a fabricated product.
(h) “Vinyl chloride” means vinyl chloride
monomer.
(3) Permissible exposure limit.
(a) No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride at concentrations
greater than 1 ppm averaged over any 8-hour period, and
(b) No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride at concentrations
greater than 5 ppm averaged over any period not exceeding 15
minutes.
(c) No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride by direct
contact with liquid vinyl chloride.
(4) Monitoring.
(a) A program of initial monitoring and measurement shall be
undertaken in each establishment to determine if there is any
employee exposed, without regard to the use of respirators,
in excess of the action level.
(b) Where a determination conducted under subdivision (a) of
this subsection shows any employee exposures without regard
to the use of respirators, in excess of the action level, a
program for determining exposures for each such employee shall
be established. Such a program:
(i) Shall be repeated at least monthly where any employee
is exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, in excess
of the permissible exposure limit.
(ii) Shall be repeated not less than quarterly where any
employee is exposed, without regard to the use of respirators,
in excess of the action level.
(iii) May be discontinued for any employee only when at least
two consecutive monitoring determinations, made not less than
5 working days apart, show exposures for that employee at
or below the action level.
(c) Whenever there has been a production, process or control
change which may result in an increase in the release of vinyl
chloride, or the employer has any other reason to suspect that
any employee may be exposed in excess of the action level, a
determination of employee exposure under subdivision (a) of
this subsection shall be performed.
(d) The method of monitoring and measurement shall have an
accuracy (with a confidence level of 95 percent) of not less
than plus or minus 50 percent from 0.25 through 0.5 ppm, plus
or minus 35 percent from over 0.5 ppm through 1.0 ppm, plus
or minus 25 percent over 1.0 ppm, (methods meeting these accuracy
requirements are available from the director).
(e) Employees or their designated representatives shall be
afforded reasonable opportunity to observe the monitoring and
measuring required by this subsection.
(5) Regulated area.
(a) A regulated area shall be established where:
(i) Vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride is manufactured,
reacted, repackaged, stored, handled or used; and
(ii) Vinyl chloride concentrations are in excess of the permissible
exposure limit.
(b) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized
persons.
(6) Methods of compliance. Employee exposures to vinyl chloride
shall be controlled to at or below the permissible exposure limit
provided in subsection (3) of this section by engineering, work-practice,
and personal protective controls as follows:
(a) Feasible engineering and work-practice controls shall immediately
be used to reduce exposures to at or below the permissible exposure
limit.
(b) Wherever feasible engineering and work-practice controls
which can be instituted immediately are not sufficient to reduce
exposures to at or below the permissible exposure limit, they
shall nonetheless be used to reduce exposures to the lowest
practicable level, and shall be supplemented by respiratory
protection in accordance with subsection (7) of this section.
A program shall be established and implemented to reduce exposures
to at or below the permissible exposure limit, or to the greatest
extent feasible, solely by means of engineering and work-practice
controls, as soon as feasible.
(c) Written plans for such a program shall be developed and
furnished upon request for examination and copying to the director.
Such plans shall be updated at least every six months.
(7) Respiratory protection.
(a) General. For employees who use respirators required by
this section, the employer must provide respirators that comply
with the requirements of this section.
(b) Respirator program. The employer must develop, implement,
and maintain a respiratory protection program as required in
chapter 296-842
WAC, Respirators, except for the requirements in WAC 296-842-13005
that address change out of vapor or gas respirator cartridges
or canisters.
(c) Respirator selection. The employer must:
(i) Select and provide to employees appropriate respirators
as specified in this section and WAC 296-842-13005 in the
respirator rule.
(ii) Provide organic vapor cartridges that have a service
life of at least one hour when employees use air-purifying
respirators in vinyl chloride concentrations up to 10 parts
per million (ppm).
(iii) Make sure the following respirators, when selected,
are equipped with a canister with a service life of at least
4 hours when used in vinyl chloride concentrations up to 25
ppm.
(A) Helmet, hood, or full-facepiece PAPRs
OR
(B) Gas masks with a front- or back-mounted canister.
(d) Where air-purifying respirators are used:
(i) Air-purifying canisters or cartridges must be replaced
prior to the expiration of their service life or the end of
the shift in which they are first used, whichever occurs first,
and
(ii) A continuous monitoring and alarm system must be provided
when concentrations of vinyl chloride could reasonably exceed
the allowable concentrations for the devices in use. Such
system shall be used to alert employees when vinyl chloride
concentrations exceed the allowable concentrations for the
devices in use, and
(iii) Respirators specified for higher concentrations may
be used for lower concentration.
(8) Hazardous operations.
(a) Employees engaged in hazardous operations, including entry
of vessels to clean polyvinyl chloride residue from vessel walls,
shall be provided and required to wear and use;
(i) Respiratory protection in accordance with subsections
(3) and (7) of this section; and
(ii) Protective garments to prevent skin contact with liquid
vinyl chloride or with polyvinyl chloride residue from vessel
walls. The protective garments shall be selected for the operation
and its possible exposure conditions.
(b) Protective garments shall be provided clean and dry for
each use.
(c) Emergency situations. A written operational plan for emergency
situations shall be developed for each facility storing, handling,
or otherwise using vinyl chloride as a liquid or compressed
gas. Appropriate portions of the plan shall be implemented in
the event of an emergency. The plan shall specifically provide
that:
(i) Employees engaged in hazardous operations or correcting
situations of existing hazardous releases shall be equipped
as required in subdivisions (a) and (b) of this subsection;
(ii) Other employees not so equipped shall evacuate the area
and not return until conditions are controlled by the methods
required in subsection (6) of this section and the emergency
is abated.
(9) Training.
Each employee engaged in vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride
operations shall be provided training in a program relating to
the hazards of vinyl chloride and precautions for its safe use.
(a) The program shall include:
(i) The nature of the health hazard from chronic exposure
to vinyl chloride including specifically the carcinogenic
hazard;
(ii) The specific nature of operations which could result
in exposure to vinyl chloride in excess of the permissible
limit and necessary protective steps;
(iii) The purpose for, proper use, and limitations of respiratory
protective devices;
(iv) The fire hazard and acute toxicity of vinyl chloride,
and the necessary protective steps;
(v) The purpose for and a description of the monitoring program;
(vi) The purpose for and a description of, the medical surveillance
program;
(vii) Emergency procedures:
(A) Specific information to aid the employee in recognition
of conditions which may result in the release of vinyl chloride;
and
(B) A review of this standard at the employee's first training
and indoctrination program, and annually thereafter.
(b) All materials relating to the program shall be provided
upon request to the director.
(10) Medical surveillance. A program of medical surveillance
shall be instituted for each employee exposed, without regard
to the use of respirators, to vinyl chloride in excess of the
action level. The program shall provide each such employee with
an opportunity for examinations and tests in accordance with this
subsection. All medical examinations and procedures shall be performed
by or under the supervision of a licensed physician and shall
be provided without cost to the employee.
(a) At the time of initial assignment, or upon institution
of medical surveillance;
(i) A general physical examination shall be performed with
specific attention to detecting enlargement of liver, spleen
or kidneys, or dysfunction in these organs, and for abnormalities
in skin, connective tissues and the pulmonary system (see
Appendix A).
(ii) A medical history shall be taken, including the following
topics:
(A) Alcohol intake,
(B) Past history of hepatitis,
(C) Work history and past exposure to potential hepatotoxic
agents, including drugs and chemicals,
(D) Past history of blood transfusions, and
(E) Past history of hospitalizations.
(iii) A serum specimen shall be obtained and determinations
made of:
(D) Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and
(E) Gamma glustamyl transpeptidase.
(b) Examinations provided in accordance with this subdivision
shall be performed at least:
(i) Every 6 months for each employee who has been employed
in vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride manufacturing for
10 years or longer; and
(ii) Annually for all other employees.
(c) Each employee exposed to an emergency shall be afforded
appropriate medical surveillance.
(d) A statement of each employee's suitability for continued
exposure to vinyl chloride including use of protective equipment
and respirators, shall be obtained from the examining physician
promptly after any examination. A copy of the physician's statement
shall be provided each employee.
(e) If any employee's health would be materially impaired by
continued exposure, such employee shall be withdrawn from possible
contact with vinyl chloride.
(f) Laboratory analyses for all biological specimens included
in medical examinations shall be performed in laboratories licensed
under 42 CFR Part 74.
(g) If the examining physician determines that alternative
medical examinations to those required by subdivision (a) of
this subsection will provide at least equal assurance of detecting
medical conditions pertinent to the exposure to vinyl chloride,
the employer may accept such alternative examinations as meeting
the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subsection, if the
employer obtains a statement from the examining physician setting
forth the alternative examinations and the rationale for substitution.
This statement shall be available upon request for examination
and copying to authorized representatives of the director.
(11) Signs and labels.
(a) Entrances to regulated areas shall be posted with legible
signs bearing the legend:
CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT AREA AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
ONLY
(b) Areas containing hazardous operations or where an emergency
currently exists shall be posted with legible signs bearing
the legend:
CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT IN THIS AREA PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
(c) Containers of polyvinyl chloride resin waste from reactors
or other waste contaminated with vinyl chloride shall be legibly
labeled:
CONTAMINATED WITH VINYL CHLORIDE CANCER-SUSPECT
AGENT
(d) Containers of polyvinyl chloride shall be legibly labeled:
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (OR TRADE NAME) CONTAINS
VINYL CHLORIDE VINYL CHLORIDE IS A CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT
(e) Containers of vinyl chloride shall be legibly labeled either:
VINYL CHLORIDE EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE GAS UNDER
PRESSURE CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT (or)
(f) In accordance with 49 CFR Part 173, Subpart H, with the
additional legends:
CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT
Applied near the label or placard.
(g) No statement shall appear on or near any required sign,
label or instruction which contradicts or detracts from the
effect of any required warning, information or instruction.
(12) Records.
(a) All records maintained in accordance with this section
shall include the name and social security number of each employee
where relevant.
(b) Records of required monitoring and measuring and medical
records shall be provided upon request to employees, designated
representatives, and the director in accordance with chapter
296-802 WAC. These records shall be provided upon request
to the director. Authorized personnel rosters shall also be
provided upon request to the director.
(i) Monitoring and measuring records shall:
(A) State the date of such monitoring and measuring and
the concentrations determined and identify the instruments
and methods used;
(B) Include any additional information necessary to determine
individual employee exposures where such exposures are determined
by means other than individual monitoring of employees;
and
(C) Be maintained for not less than 30 years.
(ii) Medical records shall be maintained for the duration
of the employment of each employee plus 20 years, or 30 years,
whichever is longer.
(c) In the event that the employer ceases to do business and
there is no successor to receive and retain his/her records
for the prescribed period, these records shall be transmitted
by registered mail to the director, and each employee individually
notified in writing of this transfer. The employer shall also
comply with any additional requirements set forth in chapter
296-802 WAC.
(d) Employees or their designated representatives shall be
provided access to examine and copy records of required monitoring
and measuring.
(e) Former employees shall be provided access to examine and
copy required monitoring and measuring records reflecting their
own exposures.
(f) Upon written request of any employee, a copy of the medical
record of that employee shall be furnished to any physician
designated by the employee.
(13) Reports.
(a) Not later than 1 month after the establishment of a regulated
area, the following information shall be reported to the director.
Any changes to such information shall be reported within 15
days.
(i) The address and location of each establishment which
has one or more regulated areas; and
(ii) The number of employees in each regulated area during
normal operations, including maintenance.
(b) Emergencies and the facts obtainable at that time, shall
be reported within 24 hours to the director. Upon request of
the director, the employer shall submit additional information
in writing relevant to the nature and extent of employee exposures
and measures taken to prevent future emergencies of similar
nature.
(c) Within 10 working days following any monitoring and measuring
which discloses that any employee has been exposed, without
regard to the use of respirators, in excess of the permissible
exposure limit, each such employee shall be notified in writing
of the results of the exposure measurement and the steps being
taken to reduce the exposure to within the permissible exposure
limit.
(14) Appendix A supplementary medical information.
APPENDIX A SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL INFORMATION
When required tests under subsection (10)(a) of this section
show abnormalities, the tests should be repeated as soon as practicable,
preferably within 3 to 4 weeks. If tests remain abnormal, consideration
should be given to withdrawal of the employee from contact with
vinyl chloride, while a more comprehensive examination is made.
Additional tests which may be useful:
(A) For kidney dysfunction: Urine examination for albumin,
red blood cells, and exfoliative abnormal cells.
(B) Pulmonary system: Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory
volume at 1 second, and chest roentgenogram (posterior-anterior,
14 x 17 inches).
(C) Additional serum tests: Lactic acid dehydrogenase,
lactic acid dehydrogenase isoenzyme, protein determination,
and protein electrophoresis.
(D) For a more comprehensive examination on repeated abnormal
serum tests: Hepatitis B antigen, and liver scanning.
(a) This section applies to all occupational exposure to acrylonitrile
(AN), Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 000107131, except
as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection.
(b) This section does not apply to exposures which result solely
from the processing, use, and handling of the following materials:
(i) ABS resins, SAN resins, nitrile barrier resins, solid
nitrile elastomers, and acrylic and modacrylic fibers, when
these listed materials are in the form of finished polymers,
and products fabricated from such finished polymers;
(ii) Materials made from and/or containing AN for which objective
data is reasonably relied upon to demonstrate that the material
is not capable of releasing AN in airborne concentrations
in excess of 1 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average,
under the expected conditions of processing, use, and handling
which will cause the greatest possible release; and
(iii) Solid materials made from and/or containing AN which
will not be heated above 170°F during handling, use, or processing.
(c) An employer relying upon exemption under (1)(b)(ii) shall
maintain records of the objective data supporting that exemption,
and of the basis of the employer's reliance on the data as provided
in subsection (17) of this section.
(2) Definitions, as applicable to this section:
(a) “Acrylonitrile” or “AN”
- acrylonitrile monomer, chemical formula CH2 = CHCN.
(b) “Action level” - a concentration of
AN of 1 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average.
(c) “Authorized person” - any person specifically
authorized by the employer whose duties require the person to
enter a regulated area, or any person entering such an area
as a designated representative of employees for the purpose
of exercising the opportunity to observe monitoring procedures
under subsection (18) of this section.
(d) “Decontamination” means treatment of
materials and surfaces by water washdown, ventilation, or other
means, to assure that the materials will not expose employees
to airborne concentrations of AN above 1 ppm as an eight-hour
time-weighted average.
(e) “Director” - the director of labor and
industries, or his authorized representative.
(f) “Emergency” - any occurrence such as,
but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers,
or failure of control equipment, which is likely to, or does,
result in unexpected exposure to AN in excess of the ceiling
limit.
(g) “Liquid AN” means AN monomer in liquid
form, and liquid or semiliquid polymer intermediates, including
slurries, suspensions, emulsions, and solutions, produced during
the polymerization of AN.
(h) “Polyacrylonitrile” or “PAN”
- polyacrylonitrile homopolymers or copolymers, except for materials
as exempted under subsection (1)(b) of this section.
(3) Permissible exposure limits.
(a) Inhalation.
(i) Time-weighted average limit (TWA). The employer shall
assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration
of acrylonitrile in excess of two parts acrylonitrile per
million parts of air (2 ppm), as an eight-hour time-weighted
average.
(ii) Ceiling limit. The employer shall assure that no employee
is exposed to an airborne concentration of acrylonitrile in
excess of 10 ppm as averaged over any fifteen-minute period
during the working day.
(b) Dermal and eye exposure. The employer shall assure that
no employee is exposed to skin contact or eye contact with liquid
AN or PAN.
(4) Notification of use and emergencies.
(a) Use. Within ten days of the effective date of this standard,
or within fifteen days following the introduction of AN into
the workplace, every employer shall report, unless he has done
so pursuant to the emergency temporary standard, the following
information to the director for each such workplace:
(i) The address and location of each workplace in which AN
is present;
(ii) A brief description of each process of operation which
may result in employee exposure to AN;
(iii) The number of employees engaged in each process or
operation who may be exposed to AN and an estimate of the
frequency and degree of exposure that occurs; and
(iv) A brief description of the employer's safety and health
program as it relates to limitation of employee exposure to
AN. Whenever there has been a significant change in the information
required by this subsection, the employer shall promptly amend
such information previously provided to the director.
(b) Emergencies and remedial action. Emergencies, and the facts
obtainable at that time, shall be reported within 24 hours of
the initial occurrence to the director. Upon request of the
director, the employer shall submit additional information in
writing relevant to the nature and extent of employee exposures
and measures taken to prevent future emergencies of a similar
nature.
(5) Exposure monitoring.
(a) General.
(i) Determinations of airborne exposure levels shall be made
from air samples that are representative of each employee's
exposure to AN over an eight-hour period.
(ii) For the purposes of this section, employee exposure
is that which would occur if the employee were not using a
respirator.
(b) Initial monitoring. Each employer who has a place of employment
in which AN is present shall monitor each such workplace and
work operation to accurately determine the airborne concentrations
of AN to which employees may be exposed. Such monitoring may
be done on a representative basis, provided that the employer
can demonstrate that the determinations are representative of
employee exposures.
(c) Frequency.
(i) If the monitoring required by this section reveals employee
exposure to be below the action level, the employer may discontinue
monitoring for that employee. The employer shall continue
these quarterly measurements until at least two consecutive
measurements taken at least seven days apart, are below the
action level, and thereafter the employer may discontinue
monitoring for that employee.
(ii) If the monitoring required by this section reveals employee
exposure to be at or above the action level but below the
permissible exposure limits, the employer shall repeat such
monitoring for each such employee at least quarterly.
(iii) If the monitoring required by this section reveals
employee exposure to be in excess of the permissible exposure
limits, the employer shall repeat these determinations for
each such employee at least monthly. The employer shall continue
these monthly measurements until at least two consecutive
measurements, taken at least seven days apart, are below the
permissible exposure limits, and thereafter the employer shall
monitor at least quarterly.
(d) Additional monitoring. Whenever there has been a production,
process, control or personnel change which may result in new
or additional exposure to AN, or whenever the employer has any
other reason to suspect a change which may result in new or
additional exposures to AN, additional monitoring which complies
with this subsection shall be conducted.
(e) Employee notification.
(i) Within five working days after the receipt of monitoring
results, the employer shall notify each employee in writing
of the results which represent that employee's exposure.
(ii) Whenever the results indicate that the representative
employee exposure exceeds the permissible exposure limits,
the employer shall include in the written notice a statement
that the permissible exposure limits were exceeded and a description
of the corrective action being taken to reduce exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limits.
(f) Accuracy of measurement. The method of measurement of employee
exposures shall be accurate, to a confidence level of 95 percent,
to within plus or minus 25 percent for concentrations of AN
at or above the permissible exposure limits, and plus or minus
35 percent for concentrations of AN between the action level
and the permissible exposure limits.
(g) Weekly survey of operations involving liquid AN. In addition
to monitoring of employee exposures to AN as otherwise required
by this subsection, the employer shall survey areas of operations
involving liquid AN at least weekly to detect points where AN
liquid or vapor are being released into the workplace. The survey
shall employ an infra-red gas analyzer calibrated for AN, a
multipoint gas chromatographic monitor, or comparable system
for detection of AN. A listing of levels detected and areas
of AN release, as determined from the survey, shall be posted
prominently in the workplace, and shall remain posted until
the next survey is completed.
(6) Regulated areas.
(a) The employer shall establish regulated areas where AN concentrations
are in excess of the permissible exposure limits.
(b) Regulated areas shall be demarcated and segregated from
the rest of the workplace, in any manner that minimizes the
number of persons who will be exposed to AN.
(c) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized
persons or to persons otherwise authorized by the act or regulations
issued pursuant thereto.
(d) The employer shall assure that in the regulated area, food
or beverages are not present or consumed, smoking products are
not present or used, and cosmetics are not applied, (except
that these activities may be conducted in the lunchrooms, change
rooms and showers required under subsections (13)(a)-(13)(c)
of this section.
(7) Methods of compliance.
(a) Engineering and work-practice controls.
(i) The employer shall institute engineering or work-practice
controls to reduce and maintain employee exposures to AN,
to or below the permissible exposure limits, except to the
extent that the employer establishes that such controls are
not feasible.
(ii) Wherever the engineering and work-practice controls
which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee
exposures to or below the permissible exposure limits, the
employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures to
the lowest levels achievable by these controls and shall supplement
them by the use of respiratory protection which complies with
the requirements of subsection (8) of this section.
(b)
Compliance program.
(i) The employer shall establish and implement a written program
to reduce employee exposures to or below the permissible exposure
limits solely by means of engineering and work-practice controls,
as required by subsection (7)(a) of this section.
(ii) Written plans for these compliance programs shall include
at least the following:
(A) A description of each operation or process resulting
in employee exposure to AN above the permissible exposure
limits;
(B) Engineering plans and other studies used to determine
the controls for each process;
(C) A report of the technology considered in meeting the
permissible exposure limits;
(D) A detailed schedule for the implementation of engineering
or work-practice controls; and
(E) Other relevant information.
(iii) The employer shall complete the steps set forth in
the compliance program by the dates in the schedule.
(iv) Written plans for such a program shall be submitted
upon request to the director, and shall be available at the
worksite for examination and copying by the director, or any
affected employee or representative.
(v) The plans required by this subsection shall be revised
and updated at least every six months to reflect the current
status of the program.
(8) Respiratory protection.
(a) General. For employees who use respirators required by
this section, the employer must provide respirators that comply
with the requirements of this subsection. Respirators must be
used during:
(i) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering
and work-practice controls;
(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities
or reactor cleaning, for which the employer establishes that
engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible;
(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and
work-practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee
exposure to or below the permissible exposure limits;
(iv) Emergencies.
(b) Respirator program. Employers must develop,implement and
maintain a respiratory protection program in accordance with
chapter 296-842
WAC, Respirators.
(c) Respirator selection. The employer must:
(i) Select and provide to employees appropriate respirators
by following the requirements in this section and WAC 296-842-13005
in the respirator rule.
(ii) Provide to employees, for escape, any organic vapor,
air-purifying respirator or any self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) that meet the selection requirements of WAC 296-842-13005
in the respirator rule.
(9) Emergency situations.
(a) Written plans.
(i) A written plan for emergency situations shall be developed
for each workplace where AN is present. Appropriate portions
of the plan shall be implemented in the event of an emergency.
(ii) The plan shall specifically provide that employees
engaged in correcting emergency conditions shall be equipped
as required in subsection (8) of this section until the
emergency is abated.
(b) Alerting employees.
(i) Where there is the possibility of employee exposure
to AN in excess of the ceiling limit due to the occurrence
of an emergency, a general alarm shall be installed and
maintained to promptly alert employees of such occurrences.
(ii) Employees not engaged in correcting the emergency
shall be evacuated from the area and shall not be permitted
to return until the emergency is abated.
(10) Protective clothing and equipment.
(a) Provision and use. Where eye or skin contact with liquid
AN or PAN may occur, the employer shall provide at no cost
to the employee, and assure that employees wear, appropriate
protective clothing or other equipment in accordance with
WAC
296-800-160 to protect any area of the body which may
come in contact with liquid AN or PAN.
(b) Cleaning and replacement.
(i) The employer shall clean, launder, maintain, or replace
protective clothing and equipment required by this subsection,
as needed to maintain their effectiveness.
In addition, the employer shall provide clean protective
clothing and equipment at least weekly to each affected
employee.
(ii) The employer shall assure that impermeable protective
clothing which contacts or is likely to have contacted liquid
AN shall be decontaminated before being removed by the employee.
(iii) The employer shall assure that AN- or PAN-contaminated
protective clothing and equipment is placed and stored in
closable containers which prevent dispersion of the AN or
PAN outside the container.
(iv) The employer shall assure that an employee whose nonimpermeable
clothing becomes wetted with liquid AN shall immediately
remove that clothing and proceed to shower. The clothing
shall be decontaminated before it is removed from the regulated
area.
(v) The employer shall assure that no employee removes
AN- or PAN-contaminated protective equipment or clothing
from the change room, except for those employees authorized
to do so for the purpose of laundering, maintenance, or
disposal.
(vi) The employer shall inform any person who launders
or cleans AN-or PAN-contaminated protective clothing or
equipment of the potentially harmful effects of exposure
to AN.
(vii) The employer shall assure that containers of contaminated
protective clothing and equipment which are to be removed
from the workplace for any reason are labeled in accordance
with subsection (16)(c)(ii) of this section, and that such
labels remain affixed when such containers leave the employer's
workplace.
(a) All surfaces shall be maintained free of accumulations
of liquid AN and of PAN.
(b) For operations involving liquid AN, the employer shall
institute a program for detecting leaks and spills of liquid
AN, including regular visual inspections.
(c) Where spills of liquid AN are detected, the employer
shall assure that surfaces contacted by the liquid AN are
decontaminated. Employees not engaged in decontamination activities
shall leave the area of the spill, and shall not be permitted
in the area until decontamination is completed.
(d) Liquids. Where AN is present in a liquid form, or as
a resultant vapor, all containers or vessels containing AN
shall be enclosed to the maximum extent feasible and tightly
covered when not in use, with adequate provision made to avoid
any resulting potential explosion hazard.
(e) Surfaces.
(i) Dry sweeping and the use of compressed air for the
cleaning of floors and other surfaces where AN and PAN are
found is prohibited.
(ii) Where vacuuming methods are selected, either portable
units or a permanent system may be used.
(A) If a portable unit is selected, the exhaust shall
be attached to the general workplace exhaust ventilation
system or collected within the vacuum unit, equipped with
high efficiency filters or other appropriate means of
contaminant removal, so that AN is not reintroduced into
the workplace air; and
(B) Portable vacuum units used to collect AN may not
be used for other cleaning purposes and shall be labeled
as prescribed by subsection (16)(c)(ii) of this section.
(iii) Cleaning of floors and other contaminated surfaces
may not be performed by washing down with a hose, unless
a fine spray has first been laid down.
(12) Waste disposal. AN and PAN waste, scrap, debris, bags,
containers or equipment, shall be disposed of in sealed bags
or other closed containers which prevent dispersion of AN outside
the container, and labeled as prescribed in subsection (16)(c)(ii)
of this section.
(13) Hygiene facilities and practices. Where employees are
exposed to airborne concentrations of AN above the permissible
exposure limits, or where employees are required to wear protective
clothing or equipment pursuant to subsection (11) of this section,
or where otherwise found to be appropriate, the facilities required
by WAC
296-800-230 shall be provided by the employer for the use
of those employees, and the employer shall assure that the employees
use the facilities provided. In addition, the following facilities
or requirements are mandated.
(a) Change rooms. The employer shall provide clean change
rooms in accordance with WAC
296-800-230.
(b) Showers.
(i) The employer shall provide shower facilities in accordance
with WAC
296-800-230.
(ii) In addition, the employer shall also assure that employees
exposed to liquid AN and PAN shower at the end of the work
shift.
(iii) The employer shall assure that, in the event of skin
or eye exposure to liquid AN, the affected employee shall
shower immediately to minimize the danger of skin absorption.
(c) Lunchrooms.
(i) Whenever food or beverages are consumed in the workplace,
the employer shall provide lunchroom facilities which have
a temperature controlled, positive pressure, filtered air
supply, and which are readily accessible to employees exposed
to AN above the permissible exposure limits.
(ii) In addition, the employer shall also assure that employees
exposed to AN above the permissible exposure limits wash
their hands and face prior to eating.
(14) Medical surveillance.
(a) General.
(i) The employer shall institute a program of medical surveillance
for each employee who is or will be exposed to AN above
the action level. The employer shall provide each such employee
with an opportunity for medical examinations and tests in
accordance with this subsection.
(ii) The employer shall assure that all medical examinations
and procedures are performed by or under the supervision
of a licensed physician, and shall be provided without cost
to the employee.
(b) Initial examinations. At the time of initial assignment,
or upon institution of the medical surveillance program, the
employer shall provide each affected employee an opportunity
for a medical examination, including at least the following
elements:
(i) A work history and medical history with special attention
to skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, and
those non-specific symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, weakness, or other central nervous system dysfunctions
that may be associated with acute or chronic exposure to
AN.
(ii) A physical examination giving particular attention
to central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory
system, skin and thyroid.
(iii) A “14 x 17” posteroanterior chest x-ray.
(iv) Further tests of the intestinal tract, including fecal
occult blood screening, and proctosigmoidoscopy, for all
workers 40 years of age or older, and for any other affected
employees for whom, in the opinion of the physician, such
testing is appropriate.
(c) Periodic examinations.
(i) The employer shall provide examinations specified in
this subsection at least annually for all employees specified
in subsection (14)(a) of this section.
(ii) If an employee has not had the examinations prescribed
in subsection (14)(b) of this section within six months
of termination of employment, the employer shall make such
examination available to the employee upon such termination.
(d) Additional examinations. If the employee for any reason
develops signs or symptoms commonly associated with exposure
to AN, the employer shall provide appropriate examination
and emergency medical treatment.
(e) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall
provide the following information to the examining physician:
(i) A copy of this standard and its appendices;
(ii) A description of the affected employee's duties as
they relate to the employee's exposure;
(iii) The employee's representative exposure level;
(iv) The employee's anticipated or estimated exposure level
(for preplacement examinations or in cases of exposure due
to an emergency);
(v) A description of any personal protective equipment
used or to be used; and
(vi) Information from previous medical examinations of
the affected employee, which is not otherwise available
to the examining physician.
(f) Physician's written opinion.
(i) The employer shall obtain a written opinion from the
examining physician which shall include:
(A) The results of the medical examination and test performed;
(B) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee
has any detected medical condition which would place the
employee at an increased risk of material impairment of
the employee's health from exposure to AN;
(C) Any recommended limitations upon the employee's exposure
to AN or upon the use of protective clothing and equipment
such as respirators; and
(D) A statement that the employee has been informed by
the physician of the results of the medical examination
and any medical conditions which require further examination
or treatment.
(ii) The employer shall instruct the physician not to reveal
in the written opinion specific findings or diagnoses unrelated
to occupational exposure to AN.
(iii) The employer shall provide a copy of the written
opinion to the affected employee.
(15)
Employee information and training.
(a) Training program.
(i) The employer shall institute a training program for
all employees where there is occupational exposure to AN
and shall assure their participation in the training program.
(ii) The training program shall be provided at the time
of initial assignment, or upon institution of the training
program, and at least annually thereafter, and the employer
shall assure that each employee is informed of the following:
(A) The information contained in Appendices A, B and
C;
(B) The quantity, location, manner of use, release or
storage of AN and the specific nature of operations which
could result in exposure to AN, as well as any necessary
protective steps;
(C) The purpose, proper use, and limitations of respirators
and protective clothing;
(D) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance
program required by subsection (14) of this section;
(E) The emergency procedures developed, as required by
subsection (9) of this section; and
(F) The engineering and work-practice controls, their
function and the employee's relationship thereto; and
(G) A review of this standard.
(b) Access to training materials.
(i) The employer shall make a copy of this standard and
its appendices readily available to all affected employees.
(ii) The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials
relating to the employee information and training program
to the director.
(16) Signs and labels.
(a) General.
(i) The employer may use labels or signs required by other
statutes, regulations, or ordinances in addition to, or
in combination with, signs and labels required by this subsection.
(ii) The employer shall assure that no statement appears
on or near any sign or label, required by this subsection,
which contradicts or detracts from such effects of the required
sign or label.
(b) Signs.
(i) The employer shall post signs to clearly indicate all
workplaces where AN concentrations exceed the permissible
exposure limits. The signs shall bear the following legend:
DANGER
ACRYLONITRILE (AN)
CANCER HAZARD
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
RESPIRATORS REQUIRED
(ii) The employer shall assure that signs required by this
subsection are illuminated and cleaned as necessary so that
the legend is readily visible.
(c) Labels.
(i) The employer shall assure that precautionary labels
are affixed to all containers of AN, and to containers of
PAN and products fabricated from PAN, except for those materials
for which objective data is provided as to the conditions
specified in subsection (1)(b) of this section. The employer
shall assure that the labels remain affixed when the AN
or PAN are sold, distributed or otherwise leave the employer's
workplace.
(ii) The employer shall assure that the precautionary labels
required by this subsection are readily visible and legible.
The labels shall bear the following legend:
(i) Where the processing, use, and handling of products
fabricated from PAN are exempted pursuant to subsection
(1)(b) of this section, the employer shall establish and
maintain an accurate record of objective data reasonably
relied upon in support of the exemption.
(ii) This record shall include the following information:
(A) The relevant condition in subsection (1)(b) upon
which exemption is based;
(B) The source of the objective data;
(C) The testing protocol, results of testing, and/or
analysis of the material for the release of AN;
(D) A description of the operation exempted and how the
data supports the exemption; and
(E) Other data relevant to the operations, materials,
and processing covered by the exemption.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for the duration
of the employer's reliance upon such objective data.
(b) Exposure monitoring.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate
record of all monitoring required by subsection (5) of this
section.
(ii) This record shall include:
(A) The dates, number, duration, and results of each
of the samples taken, including a description of the sampling
procedure used to determine representative employee exposure;
(B) A description of the sampling and analytical methods
used and the data relied upon to establish that the methods
used meet the accuracy and precision requirements of subsection
(5)(f) of this section;
(C) Type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any;
and
(D) Name, social security number and job classification
of the employee monitored and of all other employees whose
exposure the measurement is intended to represent.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least
40 years or the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever
is longer.
(c) Medical surveillance.
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate
record for each employee subject to medical surveillance
as required by subsection (14) of this section.
(ii) This record shall include:
(A) A copy of the physicians' written opinions;
(B) Any employee medical complaints related to exposure
to AN;
(C) A copy of the information provided to the physician
as required by subsection (14)(f) of this section; and
(D) A copy of the employee's medical and work history.
(iii) The employer shall assure that this record be maintained
for at least forty years or for the duration of employment
plus twenty years, whichever is longer.
(d) Availability.
(i) The employer shall assure that all records required
to be maintained by this section be made available upon
request to the director for examination and copying.
(ii) Records required by subdivisions (a) through (c) of
this subsection shall be provided upon request to employees,
designated representatives, and the assistant director in
accordance with chapter
296-802 WAC. Records required by subdivision (a) of
this section shall be provided in the same manner as exposure
monitoring records.
(iii) The employer shall assure that employee medical records
required to be maintained by this section, be made available,
upon request, for examination and copying, to the affected
employee or former employee, or to a physician designated
by the affected employee, former employee, or designated
representative.
(e) Transfer of records.
(i) Whenever the employer ceases to do business, the successor
employer shall receive and retain all records required to
be maintained by this section.
(ii) Whenever the employer ceases to do business and there
is no successor employer to receive and retain the records
for the prescribed period, these records shall be transmitted
to the director.
(iii) At the expiration of the retention period for the
records required to be maintained pursuant to this section,
the employer shall transmit these records to the director.
(iv) The employer shall also comply with any additional
requirements involving transfer of records set forth in
chapter
296-802 WAC.
(18) Observation of monitoring.
(a) Employee observation. The employer shall provide affected
employees, or their designated representatives, an opportunity
to observe any monitoring of employee exposure to AN conducted
pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.
(b) Observation procedures.
(i) Whenever observation of the monitoring of employee
exposure to AN requires entry into an area where the use
of protective clothing or equipment is required, the employer
shall provide the observer with personal protective clothing
or equipment required to be worn by employees working in
the area, assure the use of such clothing and equipment,
and require the observer to comply with all other applicable
safety and health procedures.
(ii) Without interfering with the monitoring, observers
shall be entitled:
(A) To receive an explanation of the measurement procedures;
(B) To observe all steps related to the measurement of
airborne concentrations of AN performed at the place of
exposure; and
(C) To record the results obtained.
(19) Appendices. The information contained in the appendices
is not intended, by itself, to create any additional obligation
not otherwise imposed, or to detract from any obligation.
(c) Acrylonitrile can be found as a liquid or vapor, and
can also be found in polymer resins, rubbers, plastics, polyols,
and other polymers having acrylonitrile as a raw or intermediate
material.
(d) AN is used in the manufacture of acrylic and modiacrylic
fibers, acrylic plastics and resins, speciality polymers,
nitrile rubbers, and other organic chemicals. It has also
been used as a fumigant.
(e) Appearance and odor: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
with a pungent odor which can only be detected at concentrations
above the permissible exposure level, in a range of 13-19
parts AN per million parts of air (13-19 ppm).
(f) Permissible exposure: Exposure may not exceed either:
(i) Two parts AN per million parts of air (2 ppm) averaged
over the eight-hour workday; or
(ii) Ten parts AN per million parts of air (10 ppm) averaged
over any fifteen-minute period in the workday.
(iii) In addition, skin and eye contact with liquid AN
is prohibited.
(2) Health hazard data.
(a) Acrylonitrile can affect your body if you inhale the
vapor (breathing), if it comes in contact with your eyes or
skin, or if you swallow it. It may enter your body through
your skin.
(b) Effects of overexposure:
(i) Short-term exposure: Acrylonitrile can cause eye irritation,
nausea, vomiting, headache, sneezing, weakness, and light-headedness.
At high concentrations, the effects of exposure may go on
to loss of consciousness and death. When acrylonitrile is
held in contact with the skin after being absorbed into
shoe leather or clothing, it may produce blisters following
several hours of no apparent effect. Unless the shoes or
clothing are removed immediately and the area washed, blistering
will occur. Usually there is no pain or inflammation associated
with blister formation.
(ii) Long-term exposure: Acrylonitrile has been shown to
cause cancer in laboratory animals and has been associated
with higher incidences of cancer in humans. Repeated or
prolonged exposure of the skin to acrylonitrile may produce
irritation and dermatitis.
(iii) Reporting signs and symptoms: You should inform your
employer if you develop any signs or symptoms and suspect
they are caused by exposure to acrylonitrile.
(3) Emergency first aid procedures.
(a) Eye exposure: If acrylonitrile gets into your eyes, wash
your eyes immediately with large amounts of water, lifting
the lower and upper lids occasionally. Get medical attention
immediately. Contact lenses should not be worn when working
with this chemical.
(b) Skin exposure: If acrylonitrile gets on your skin, immediately
wash the contaminated skin with water. If acrylonitrile soaks
through your clothing, especially your shoes, remove the clothing
immediately and wash the skin with water. If symptoms occur
after washing, get medical attention immediately. Thoroughly
wash the clothing before reusing. Contaminated leather shoes
or other leather articles should be discarded.
(c) Inhalation: If you or any other person breathes in large
amounts of acrylonitrile, move the exposed person to fresh
air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial
respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get
medical attention as soon as possible.
(d) Swallowing: When acrylonitrile has been swallowed, give
the person large quantities of water immediately. After the
water has been swallowed, try to get the person to vomit by
having him touch the back of his throat with his finger. Do
not make an unconscious person vomit. Get medical attention
immediately.
(e) Rescue: Move the affected person from the hazardous exposure.
If the exposed person has been overcome, notify someone else
and put into effect the established emergency procedures.
Do not become a casualty yourself. Understand your emergency
rescue procedures and know the location of the emergency equipment
before the need arises.
(f) Special first aid procedures: First aid kits containing
an adequate supply (at least two dozen) of amyl nitrite pearls,
each containing 0.3 ml, should be maintained at each site
where acrylonitrile is used. When a person is suspected of
receiving an overexposure to acrylonitrile, immediately remove
that person from the contaminated area using established rescue
procedures. Contaminated clothing must be removed and the
acrylonitrile washed from the skin immediately. Artificial
respiration should be started at once if breathing has stopped.
If the person is unconscious, amyl nitrite may be used as
an antidote by a properly trained individual in accordance
with established emergency procedures. Medical aid should
be obtained immediately.
(4) Respirators and protective clothing.
(a) Respirators: You may be required to wear a respirator
for nonroutine activities, in emergencies, while your employer
is in the process of reducing acrylonitrile exposures through
engineering controls, and in areas where engineering controls
are not feasible. If respirators are worn, they must have
a label issued by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health under the provisions of 42 CFR part 84 stating
that the respirators have been certified for use with organic
vapors. For effective protection, respirators must fit your
face and head snugly. Respirators should not be loosened or
removed in work situations where their use is required.
(b) Supplied-air suits: In some work situations, the wearing
of supplied-air suits may be necessary. Your employer must
instruct you in their proper use and operation.
(c) Protective clothing:
(i) You must wear impervious clothing, gloves, face shield,
or other appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin
contact with liquid acrylonitrile. Where protective clothing
is required, your employer is required to provide clean
garments to you as necessary to assume that the clothing
protects you adequately.
(ii) Replace or repair impervious clothing that has developed
leaks.
(iii) Acrylonitrile should never be allowed to remain on
the skin. Clothing and shoes which are not impervious to
acrylonitrile should not be allowed to become contaminated
with acrylonitrile, and if they do the clothing and shoes
should be promptly removed and decontaminated. The clothing
should be laundered or discarded after the AN is removed.
Once acrylonitrile penetrates shoes or other leather articles,
they should not be worn again.
(d) Eye protection: You must wear splashproof safety goggles
in areas where liquid acrylonitrile may contact your eyes.
In addition, contact lenses should not be worn in areas where
eye contact with acrylonitrile can occur.
(5) Precautions for safe use, handling, and storage.
(a) Acrylonitrile is a flammable liquid, and its vapors can
easily form explosive mixtures in air.
(b) Acrylonitrile must be stored in tightly closed containers
in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from heat, sparks, flames,
strong oxidizers (especially bromine), strong bases, copper,
copper alloys, ammonia, and amines.
(c) Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are
prohibited wherever acrylonitrile is handled, used, or stored
in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion
hazard.
(d) You should use nonsparking tools when opening or closing
metal containers of acrylonitrile, and containers must be
bonded and grounded when pouring or transferring liquid
acrylonitrile.
(e) You must immediately remove any nonimpervious clothing
that becomes wetted with acrylonitrile, and this clothing
must not be reworn until the acrylonitrile is removed from
the clothing.
(f) Impervious clothing wet with liquid acrylonitrile can
be easily ignited. This clothing must be washed down with
water before you remove it.
(g) If your skin becomes wet with liquid acrylonitrile,
you must promptly and thoroughly wash or shower with soap
or mild detergent to remove any acrylonitrile from your
skin.
(h) You must not keep food, beverages, or smoking materials,
nor are you permitted to eat or smoke in regulated areas
where acrylonitrile concentrations are above the permissible
exposure limits.
(i) If you contact liquid acrylonitrile, you must wash
your hands thoroughly with soap or mild detergent and water
before eating, smoking, or using toilet facilities.
(j) Fire extinguishers and quick drenching facilities must
be readily available, and you should know where they are
and how to operate them.
(k) Ask your supervisor where acrylonitrile is used in
your work area and for any additional plant safety and health
rules.
(6) Access to information.
(a) Each year, your employer is required to inform you of
the information contained in this Substance Safety Data Sheet
for acrylonitrile. In addition, your employer must instruct
you in the proper work-practices for using acrylonitrile,
emergency procedures, and the correct use of protective equipment.
(b) Your employer is required to determine whether you
are being exposed to acrylonitrile. You or your representative
has the right to observe employee measurements and to record
the results obtained. Your employer is required to inform
you of your exposure. If your employer determines that you
are being overexposed, he or she is required to inform you
of the actions which are being taken to reduce your exposure
to within permissible exposure limits.
(c) Your employer is required to keep records of your exposures
and medical examinations. These records must be kept by
the employer for at least forty years or for the period
of your employment plus twenty years, whichever is longer.
(d) Your employer is required to release your exposure
and medical records to you or your representative upon your
request.
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