What is the purpose of WAC
296-307-704, Emergency response to hazardous substance releases?
To state the minimum requirements that help you protect the
safety and health of your employees during a response to hazardous
substance releases in your workplace or any other location.
Do the requirements of this rule apply to your workplace?
This section applies if your employees are, or could become,
involved in responding to uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances
in your workplace or any other location. Use the scope flow chart,
and definitions that follow, to determine if this section applies
to your workplace(s). Defined words are italicized in the flow
chart.
*The flow chart references other rules applicable to your workplace
depending on conditions and hazards.
Definitions applicable to the flow chart (see WAC
296-307-70480 for additional definitions used in this section):
Danger area
Areas where conditions pose a serious
danger to employees, such as areas where:
• Immediately dangerous to life or health
(IDLH) conditions could exist
OR
• High levels of exposure to toxic substances could exist
OR
• There is a potential for exceeding the lower explosive
limit (LEL), also known as the lower flammability limit (LFL),
of a substance.
Emergency response
A response to an anticipated release
of a hazardous substance that is, or could become, an uncontrolled
release.
Hazardous substance
Any biological, radiological, or
chemical substance that can have adverse effects on humans. (See
WAC 296-307-70480 for a more specific definition.)
Immediately dangerous to life or
health (IDLH)
Any atmospheric condition that would:
• Cause an immediate threat to life
• Cause permanent or delayed adverse health effects
• Interfere with an employee's ability to escape.
Incidental release
A release that can be safely controlled
at the time of the release and does not have the potential to
become an uncontrolled release.
Example of a situation that results in an incidental release:
A tanker truck is receiving a load
of hazardous liquid when a leak occurs. The driver knows the only
hazard from the liquid is minor skin irritation. The employer
has trained the driver on procedures and provided equipment to
use for a release of this quantity. The driver puts on skin protection
and stops the leak. A spill kit is used to contain, absorb, and
pick up the spilled material for disposal.
Limited action
Action necessary to:
• Secure an operation during emergency
responses,
OR • Prevent an incident from increasing
in severity.
Examples include shutting down processes and closing emergency
valves.
Release
A spill, leak, or other type of
hazardous substance discharge.
Uncontrolled release
A release where significant safety
and health risks could be created. Releases of hazardous substances
that are either incidental or could not create a safety or health
hazard (i.e., fire, explosion or chemical exposure) are not considered
to be uncontrolled releases.
Examples of conditions that could create a significant safety
and health risk:
• Large-quantity releases
• Small-releases that could be highly toxic
• Airborne exposures that could exceed a WISHA permissible
exposure limit or a published exposure limit and employees are
not adequately trained or equipped to control the release.
Example of an uncontrolled release:
A forklift driver knocks over a container of a solvent-based
liquid, releasing the contents onto the warehouse floor. The driver
has been trained to recognize the vapor is flammable and moderately
toxic when inhaled. The driver has not been trained or provided
appropriate equipment to address this type of spill. In this situation,
it is not safe for the driver to attempt a response. The driver
needs to notify someone of the release so an emergency response
can be initiated.
Workplace
• A fixed facility
OR • A temporary location (such as
a traffic corridor)
OR • Locations where employees respond
to emergencies.
Summary
Your responsibility:
To anticipate, plan for, and manage emergency response operations
so employees are protected from hazardous substances and conditions.
Note:
Other chapters may apply to your workplace,
such as:
• Chapter 296-62
WAC, General occupational health standards.
You will find some safety and health requirements (for example,
personal protective equipment) are addressed on a general level
in the core rules, while being addressed for a specific application
in this section. When this happens, both requirements apply and
should not conflict.
If you are uncertain which requirements to follow, you must comply
with the more protective requirement. Contact your local L&I
office if you need assistance in making this determination.
• You may already have an emergency
response plan, such as required by chapter
296-843 WAC, Hazardous waste operations or by state and
locally coordinated response efforts (Section 303 of Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), Title III). You may
use those plans to comply with this section, if they include
the items listed below. • Before a written emergency response
plan can be developed, you will need to anticipate the types
of uncontrolled releases that employees could encounter in your
workplace(s).
You must
(1) Make sure your plan is written and adequately addresses,
as a minimum, all of the following:
• Preemergency planning and coordination
with additional responders (including personnel from other employers
such as: Fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency
medical services, and state or federal agencies).
• Personnel roles, (see Table 1) and lines of authority
and communications for all affected parties including responders.
• Employee training (see WAC
296-307-70415, train your employees), for more detail:
Note:
• Responders' level of training depends
on the duties and roles the employer assigns.
• Training for the employees' role should address the
competencies specified in Tables 3 through 6.
• Training on specific substances may be appropriate depending
on the number and characteristics of hazardous substances expected
to be encountered. For example, if employees may only respond
to one substance, you could provide training (covering the knowledge
and skills specified in Tables 3 through 6) relevant to that
single substance. If employees might respond to a range of hazardous
substances, training may be required to cover categories of
hazardous substances.
You must
• Videos and automated training methods
(for example: Interactive computer based programs) may be used
in training; however, instructors must be readily available
to:
- Encourage and provide
responses to questions for the benefit of the group
- Evaluate employees'
understanding of the material
- Methods of alerting employees (see WAC
296-307-345, Employee alarm systems) and outside responders
- Procedures for
limited action (emergency prevention).
Note:
Limited action includes shutting down
processes, closing emergency valves and other critical actions
to secure the operation, or prevent the incident from increasing
in severity.
Limited action and Employee
Roles
If...
Then employees involved
would be:
Limited action could be conducted in the danger area
Considered emergency responders
Limited action will not be conducted in IDLH conditions
Considered evacuees, not emergency responders
• Details of who will evacuate immediately
and who will remain behind for limited action
• Evacuation routes and procedures
• How to establish safe distances and places of refuge
(for example, during emergency response the incident commander
(IC) decides to make changes based on new developments, i.e.,
changes in the wind direction).
You must
• Methods of securing and controlling
access to the site
• Emergency medical treatment and first aid
• A complete personal protective equipment (PPE) program
that addresses:
- Selection of PPE including selection criteria
to be used and the identification, specified use and limitations
of the PPE selected
- Training on proper
use of PPE (including maintenance)
- Hazards created
by wearing PPE including heat stress during temperature extremes,
and/or other appropriate medical considerations
- Criteria used for
determining the proper fit of PPE
- Procedures covering
proper use of PPE including procedures for inspection, putting
it on (donning) and removing it (doffing)
- Maintenance of PPE including procedures
for decontamination, disposal and storage
- Methods used to
evaluate the effectiveness of your PPE program.
Note:
• If a manufacturer's printed information
or WISHA rule adequately addresses procedural requirements (such
as donning or doffing for PPE), it is not necessary to rewrite
this into your program; simply attach the printed information.
• You may use written procedures provided by the equipment
manufacturer when they meet the requirements of other chapters,
including chapter 296-307
WAC, Part Y-5, Respirators.
- Emergency equipment
- Emergency response
procedures
- Decontamination
procedures determined by a hazardous materials specialist
or other qualified individual
- Methods to critically
assess the response and conduct appropriate follow-up.
You must
(2) Make your written emergency response plan available to employees,
their representatives, and WISHA personnel for inspecting or copying.
Note:
In situations where multiple employers could
respond to an incident, all plans should consistently address:
• Who will be designated as the
incident commander (IC)
AND • If, when, and how transfer of the
incident commander (IC) position will take place.
Table 1 Role and Duties of Emergency Responders
If the employee's role is:
Then all the following apply. They:
First responder at the awareness level
Are likely to witness or discover a
hazardous substance release
Are trained to initiate an emergency
response by notifying the proper authorities of the release
Take no further action beyond notifying
the authorities
First responder at the operations level
Respond to actual or potential releases
in order to protect nearby persons, property, and/or the
environment from the effects of the release
Are trained to respond defensively,
without trying to stop the release
May try to:
- Confine the release from a safe
distance
- Keep it from spreading
- Protect others from hazardous exposures
Hazardous materials technician
Respond to releases or potential releases,
with the intent of stopping the release
Are trained to approach the point of
release offensively in order to, either:
- Plug
- Patch
- Stop the release using other methods
Hazardous materials specialist
Respond along with, and provide support
to, hazardous materials technicians
Are required to have more specific knowledge
of hazardous substances than a hazardous materials technician
Act as the site activity liaison when
federal, state, local, and other government authorities
participate
Incident commander
Have ultimate responsibility for:
- Direction
- Control
- Coordination of the response effort
- Will assume control of the incident
beyond the first responder awareness level
Specialist employee
Are a technician, medical, environmental,
or other type of expert
May represent a hazardous substance
manufacturer, shipper, or government agency
May be present at the scene of may assist
from an off-site location
Regularly work with specific hazardous
substances
Are trained in the hazards of specific
substances
Are expected to give technical advice
or assistance to the incident commander or incident safety
officer, when requested
Skilled support personnel
Are needed to peform an immediate, specific
emergency support task at the site
Are skilled in the operation of equipment
including:
- Earth moving equipment
- Cranes
- Hositing equipment
Incident safety officer
Are designated by the incident commander
Are knowledgeable in operations being
implemented at the site
• Use Tables 3 through 6 to identify
your employees' training competencies.
• You may conduct training internally, or use outside
training services to comply with this section.
- When outside trainers are hired, you are
still responsible for making sure the requirements of this
section are met. For example, employers may compare the course
outline to the competencies listed in Tables 3 through 6.
You must
• Make sure employees are appropriately
trained for their assigned roles and duties as follows:
Exemption: Skilled support
employees are not covered by the training requirements of this
section (see WAC 296-307-70440).
Initial training:
• Provide initial training before the
employee is allowed to participate in an actual emergency response
operation.
Note: When
first responders at the awareness or operations level have sufficient
experience to objectively demonstrate competencies specified in
Table 3, you may accept experience instead of training.
• Make sure initial training adequately
addresses the competencies in Tables 3 through 6 and the minimum
training durations in Table 2.
• Certify that employees objectively demonstrate competencies
specified in Tables 3 through 6 (except for employees trained
as first responders at the awareness level).
You must
Retraining (refresher) training:
• Provide retraining annually.
• Make sure retraining covers necessary content.
• Document training or demonstrated competency.
Note:
Retraining is not required when employees demonstrate
competencies annually and a record is kept of the demonstration
methodology used.
You must
Trainer qualifications:
• Verify trainers have satisfactorily
completed an instructors' training course for the subjects they
teach. For example, courses offered by the United States National
Academy, or equivalent courses are acceptable.
OR • Have the educational and instructional
experience necessary for training.
Specialist employees:
• Specialist employees who have
been sent to the scene to advise or assist must receive training
or demonstrate competency in their specialty, annually.
Table 2
Minimum Training Durations for all Responders
If you are a:
Then:
First responder at the awareness level
Training duration needs to be sufficient to provide the
required competencies
First responder at the operations level
You need a minimum of 8 hours training (see Table 3)
Hazardous materials technician
You need a minimum of 24 hours training (see Table 4)
Hazardous materials specialist
You need a minimum of 24 hours training (see Table 4)
Incident commander
You need a minimum of 24 hours training (see Table 5)
Table 3
Competencies for First Responders at the Awareness
Level and Operations Level
Employees must be able to show they:
When they are designated as First Responders
at the:
Awarnesss Level
Operations Level
Understand what hazardous substances are and
their associated risks.
X
X
Recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency.
X
X
Can identify the hazardous substances, when possible.
X
X
Understand the potential consequences of hazardous substances
in an emergency.
X
X
Understand the role of a first responder at the awareness
level as described in:
The employer's emergency response plan,
including site security and control
The United States Department of Transportation's
Emergency Response Guidebook. (Search at: http://www.dot.gov.)
X
X
Can use the United States Department of Transportation's
Emergency Response Guidebook.
X
X
Recognize the need for additional resources and the need
to notify the incident's communication center accordingly.
X
X
Know basic hazard and risk assesment techniques.
X
Can select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate
for first responder operations level.
X
Understand basic hazardous materials terms.
X
Can perform basic control, containment, and/or confinement
operations within the capabilities of the resources and PPE
available.
X
Can implement decontamination procedures to their level
of training.
X
Understand relevant standard operating and termination procedures
X
Table 4
Competencies for Hazardous Materials Technicians
and Hazardous Materials Specialist
Employees must be able to show they:
When they are designated as a Hazardous
Materials:
Technician
Specialist
Have the competencies specified for the first responder
operations level. (See Table 3).
X
X
Can implement an employer's emergency response plan.
X
X
Can function within their assigned role in the incident
command system.
X
X
Understand hazard and risk assessment techniques.
X
X
Understand basic chemical and toxicological terminology
and behavior.
X
X
Can use field survey instruments and equipment to classify,
identify, and verify materials at the incident.
X
X
Can select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate
for hazardous materials technicians.
X
X
Can perform advance control, containment, and/or confinement
operations within the capabilities of the resources and PPE
available.
X
X
Can implement decontamination procedures to their level
of training.
X
X
Understand termination procedures.
X
X
Can implement the local agency response plan.
X
Know the state emergency response plan.
X
Can develop a site safety and control plan.
X
Understand chemical, radiological, and toxicological terminology
and behavior.
X
Understand in-depth hazard and risk techniques.
X
Can use advanced survey instruments and equipment to classify,
identify, and verify materials at the incident.
X
Can select and use proper specialized chemical PPE given
to hazardous materials specialists.
X
Can perform specialized control, containment, and/or confinement
operations within the capabilities of the resources and PPE
available.
X
Can determine decontamination procedures.
X
Table 5
Competencies for Incident Commanders
Employees designated as Incident Commanders must
be able to show they:
Have competencies specified for the
First Responder Operations Level. (See Table 3.)
Know of the state emergency response
plan and the Federal Regional Response Team.
Can implement the local emergency response
plan.
Can implement the employer's emergency
response plan.
Have knowledge of the incident command
system (ICS) and understand how they relate to it.
Can implement the employer's ICS.
Understands the hazards and risks associated
with employees working in chemcial protective clothing.
Understands the importance of decontamination
procedures.
Note: If the first employee arriving
at the scene is not trained as an IC, they make take control
of the incident within their designated role and training
level.
Table 6
Competencies for Specialist Employees
Employees designated as Specialist Employees must
be able to show they:
Have current knowledge in their field
regarding safety and health practices relating to specific
hazardous substances.
Have the knowledge of the ICS and understand
how they relate to it.
Understand the care and use of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
- A medical history. - A work history (or updated history
if on file). - A special emphasis on:
Assessment of symptoms related
to handling hazardous substances.
Health hazards.
Evaluation of fitness for duty (including
the ability to wear any personal protective equipment (PPE)
or other conditions that may be expected at the workplace).
- Other content as determined by the
examining physician.
Note:
The physician should consult the Occupational Safety and
Health Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities and
the Medical Management Guidelines for Acute Chemical Exposure
(search OSHA website: http://www.osha.gov).
You must
(2) Obtain the physician's written opinion and give a copy to
the employee that includes:
• A statement of whether or not medical
conditions were found which would increase the employee's risk
for impairment during emergency response work or respirator
use.
- Do not include specific findings or diagnoses
unrelated to occupational exposures.
• Limitations recommended to the
employee's assigned work, if any.
• Exam and test results if the employee requests this
information.
• A statement that affirms the employee has been confidentially
informed of medical exam results (including medical conditions
requiring follow-up).
Table 7
Medical Surveillance for Employee Categories
If the employee is covered by this section
and is:
Then you must:
Exposed for at least 30 days a year
to health hazards or hazardous substances at or above
the permissible exposure limit or published exposure levels
(even when respirators are used).
OR
Required to wear a respirator for at
least 30 days a year.*
Offer standard medical surveillance
as specified in Table 8.*
A hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team
member.
A hazardous materials specialist.
Provide standard medical surveillance
as specified in Table 8.
An emergency responder who shows immediate
or delayed signs or symptoms possibly resulting from exposure
to hazardous substances during an incident.
Provide incident-specific medical surveillance
as specified in Table 8.
Not an emergency responder and:
- May be injured
- Shows immediate or delayed signs
or symptoms possibly resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances.
- May have been exposed to hazardous
substances at concentrations above the permissible
exposure limits (PELs) or the published exposure levels
without appropriate PPE.
Offer incident-specific medical surveillance
as specified in Table 8.
*Note: A medical
evaluation for respirator use is required by chapter 296-307
WAC, Part Y-5, Respiratory protection, for those employees
who have not been cleared for respirator use during medical
surveillance activities.
Table 8
Frequency of Exams and Consultations
If the employee is covered by:
Then medical surveillance must include:
Standard medical surveillance
Exams and consultations:
Before assignment
Note: If the employee is a hazardous materials
(HAZMAT) team member or a hazardous materials specialist,
the employee must receive a baseline physical examination.
At least every 12 months after their
initial assignment unless the physician believes a shorter,
or longer interval (but no more than 24 months) is appropriate.
Whenever employees are reassigned to
an area where they will no longer be covered by medical
surveillance and they have not been examined within the
past 6 months.
As soon as possible after an employee
reports:
- Signs or symptoms of possible overexposure
to hazardous substances or health hazards.
- Injury.
- Exposure above the permissible
exposure limits or published exposure levels.
At the termination of their employment
unless they were examined within the past 6 months.
Incident-specific medical surveillance
Medical consultations and exams:
As soon as possible following the incident
or development of signs or symptoms.
At additional times, if the physician
determines follow-up is medically necessary.
- Name and Social Security number
of the employee receiving medical surveillance - Physicians' written opinions, recommended
limitations, and results of examinations and tests - Any employee medical complaints regarding
hazardous substance exposures - A copy of all information given to
the examining physician (except a copy of this section).
Implement and maintain an incident command
system (ICS).
You must
(1) Make sure a single individual, acting as the incident commander
(IC), is in charge of the site-specific incident command system
(ICS) and acts within their designated role and training level.
Note:
• For multiemployer worksites:
- The IC has responsibility for controlling
emergency response operations at the site for all employers.
- Emergency response
plans should be consistent in designating who assumes the
IC position.
If the first employee arriving at the
scene is not trained as an IC (see Table 5, Training Requirements
for Incident Commanders and Specialist Employees, WAC 296-307-70415),
they may take control of the incident within their designated
role and training level.
You must
(2) Make sure all employers' emergency responders and their
communications are coordinated and controlled by the IC.
Note:
The IC may delegate tasks to subordinates (within
their training level).
You must
(3) Make sure each employer at the scene has designated a representative
to assist the IC.
(4) Establish security and control of the site as specified
in your written emergency response plan.
The duties of skilled support personnel are
described in Table 1, Roles and Duties of Emergency Responders.
You must
(1) Make sure that your skilled support personnel (including
those employees who are not regularly employed by you) who could
be exposed to on-scene hazards are given an initial briefing at
the site before they participate in any emergency response. The
initial briefing must include:
• What chemical hazards are involved
• What duties are to be performed
• Instruction in the wearing of appropriate personal protective
equipment.
Note:
Skilled support personnel do not need to comply
with the other training requirements of this section.
You must
(2) Make sure the safety and health precautions given to your
employees are also given to skilled support personnel.
Make sure the incident commander oversees
activities during the response.
The employer of the incident commander (IC) must:
(1) Identify all hazardous substances and conditions present,
within their training level, using site analysis and maximum exposure
limits, when appropriate.
(2) Implement emergency response procedures appropriate to the
hazardous substances and conditions present, such as:
• Procedures that address the use of
engineering controls, hazardous substance handling, and new
technologies
• Procedures that address decontamination
• Procedures that address PPE
• Procedures that limit the number of personnel to those
who are actively performing emergency response operations, in
areas where exposure could exist.
(3) Designate an incident safety officer (ISO).
• Make sure the ISO demonstrates knowledge
about operations being implemented at the emergency response
site. They must:
- Identify and evaluate hazards
- Communicate with the IC about hazards,
immediately informing the IC of corrective actions that must
be taken when conditions are judged to be:
An imminent danger
OR
Immediately dangerous to life or
health (IDLH).
- Provide direction about the safety of
operations.
• Make sure operations and tasks (including
limited actions) in danger areas are conducted using the buddy
system in teams of two or more.
Definition:
Danger areas are areas where conditions
pose a serious danger to employees, such as areas where:
• Immediately dangerous to life
or health (IDLH) conditions could exist.
OR • High levels of exposure to toxic
substances could exist.
OR • There is a potential for exceeding
the lower explosive limit (LEL), also known as the lower flammability
limit (LFL) of a hazardous substance.
(1) Provide stand-by employees equipped with the same level
of personal protective equipment (PPE) as the entrants, for assistance
or rescue.
Note:
• The buddy system applies to
stand-by employees (WAC 296-307-70450). • One of the two stand-by employees
can be assigned to another task provided it does not interfere
with the performance of the stand-by role. • Rescue equipment should be selected
and provided based on the types of rescue situations that could
occur.
You must
(2) Make sure employees trained in first aid are readily available
with necessary medical equipment and have a way to transport the
injured.
Note:
• Employers who require their employees
to provide first aid must comply with the bloodborne pathogen
rule, chapter
296-823 WAC.
• Only properly trained employees should
select PPE. Hazardous materials technicians and hazardous materials
specialists can select PPE within the competencies specified
in Table 4.
• Selection requirements in other PPE rules also apply,
including:
- Chapter 296-305
WAC, Safety standards for fire fighting.
You must
• Provide employees with appropriate
PPE and make sure it is used if hazards could be present.
• Select PPE (such as respirators, gloves, protective
suits and other PPE) based on:
- An evaluation of the performance characteristics
(such as breakthrough time and hazardous substance-specificity
of the material or item) relevant to the requirements and
limitations of the site.
- Task-specific conditions and durations.
- The hazards and potential hazards of the
site (see Table 9, Selecting PPE for Specific Hazards).
• Select totally encapsulating chemical
protective (TECP) suits, as specified in Table 9, that:
- Maintain positive air pressure.
- Prevent inward
test gas leakage of more than 0.5 percent.
Note:
Follow the manufacturer's recommended
procedure for testing a TECP suit's ability to maintain positive
air pressure and prevent inward gas leakage. Other established
test protocols for these suits, for example NFPA 1991 and ASTM
F1052-97, may also be used.
A decreased level of respiratory protection
only when the incident commander determines, from air
monitoring results, that employees will be adequately
protected.
Chemical exposure levels will create a substantial possibility
of:
Immediate death.
Immediate serious illness or injury.
Reduced ability to escape.
Either positive-pressure (pressure-demand)
SCBA
Air-line respirators equipped with an escape air supply.
Skin absorption of a hazardous substance may result in
a substantial possibility of:
Immediate death.
Immediate serious illness or injury.
Reduced ability to escape.
Protection equivalent to Level A including a totally
encapsulating chemical protective (TECP) suit
(1) Make sure employees inspect PPE before, during and after
use, following your plan's procedures.
(2) Make sure employees put on (don) and remove (doff) PPE following
your plan's procedures.
(3) Make sure employees do not interchange self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) air cylinders from different manufacturers, unless
all of the following apply:
• There is a life-saving emergency
• You need a supplemental air supply
• The cylinders are of the same capacity and pressure
rating.
(4) Make sure compressed air cylinders used with SCBAs meet
the testing and service life requirements of the United States
Department of Transportation (USDOT). Search at: http://www.dot.gov.
Note:
You can also check with the cylinder manufacturers
to obtain USDOT test and service life specifications.
You must
(5) Make sure PPE is maintained in a safe and reliable condition
using your plan's procedures. PPE maintenance includes:
• Decontamination • Cleaning • Inspection • Identification of damage or defects • Parts repair or replacement • Storage or disposal.
Postemergency response is the stage of the emergency response
where the immediate threat from the release has been stabilized
or eliminated, and cleanup of the site has started.
When cleanup is done by the employees who were part of the initial
emergency response, the employees are not covered by this section
(however, training, PPE and other requirements in WAC 296-307-70460
through 296-307-70470 apply to these employees).
You must
(1) Follow Table 10 to determine which requirements apply to
your postemergency response activities.
(2) Maintain clean-up equipment as specified in Table 10.
Table 10
Rules that Apply to Postemergency Response Activities
When postemergency response
cleanup is performed by employees who were not part of the
initial emergency respond and:
The following rules or requirements
apply:
It is necessary to remove hazardous substances,
health hazards and contaminated material (example: Soil) from
the site.
Chapter 296-843 WAC, Hazardous waste operations.
Cleanup is done on plant property using plant
or workplace employees
AND
It is not necessary to remove hazardous substances, health
hazards and contaminated materials from the site.
For training:
WAC 296-307-35015 and 296-307-35018,
Employee emergency action plans
Chapter 296-307 WAC, Part Y-5, Respiratory
protection
WAC 296-307-550, Employer chemical hazard
communication
Other appropriate training requirements
relevant to personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination
For equipment:
Make sure that all equipment used for
cleanup work is serviced and inspected before use.
The following definitions are specific to this section:
Annually
Any twelve-month cycle.
Buddy system
A system of organizing employees
(who enter or stand by danger areas) into work groups, so each
employee can be observed by at least one other member of the group.
The purpose of this system is to provide rapid assistance to employees
in an emergency.
Clean-up operation(s)
An operation where hazardous substances
are removed, contained, incinerated, neutralized, stabilized,
cleared up or, in any other manner, processed or handled with
the goal of making the site safer for people or the environment.
Danger area
Areas where conditions pose a serious danger to employees, such
as areas where:
• Immediately dangerous to life or health
(IDLH) conditions could exist
OR
• High levels of exposure to toxic substances could exist
OR
• There is a potential for exceeding the lower explosive
limit (LEL), also known as the lower flammability limit (LFL),
of a substance.
Decontamination
Removing hazardous substances from employees
and their equipment so potential adverse health effects will not
occur.
Emergency response
An organized response to an anticipated
release of a hazardous substance that is, or could become, an
uncontrolled release.
Emergency response plan
A written plan that requires coordination
between emergency response participants, and contains procedures,
criteria, and other information that will be applied to emergency
response operations. Each employer's plan should be compatible
with local and state plans.
Engineering controls
Methods of controlling employee
exposures by modifying the source or reducing the quantity of
contaminants.
Hazardous materials team (HAZMAT team)
A group of employees who are expected
to perform responses to releases, or possible releases, of hazardous
substances for the purpose of control and stabilization. As a
result of their duties, HAZMAT team members may have close contact
with hazardous substances.
Note:
A HAZMAT team may be a separate component of
a fire brigade or fire department.
Hazardous substance
Any of the following substances
that could adversely affect an exposed employee's health or safety:
• Substances defined under section
101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) or “Superfund”
Act (visit: http://www.epa.gov) • Biological or other disease-causing
agents released that could reasonably be expected to cause death,
disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation,
physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction)
or physical deformations in a person or their offspring when
the person:
- Is directly exposed to the agent
in the environment - Directly ingests, inhales, or assimilates
the agent from the environment - Indirectly ingests the agent through
a food chain
Substances listed by
the United States Department of Transportation as hazardous
materials under Title 49 (Transportation) in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), Part 172, section 101 and appendices (visit:
http://www.nara.gov and search for “List of CFR subjects”)
Hazardous wastes as
defined in this section.
Hazardous
waste
A substance designated by chapter 173-303
WAC, Dangerous waste regulations, department of ecology, as a
dangerous waste or an extremely hazardous waste and any waste
fitting the definition of “health hazard” in this
section.
A chemical, a mixture of chemicals,
or a pathogen for which there is statistically significant evidence,
based on at least one study conducted according to established
scientific principles, that acute or chronic health effects may
occur in exposed employees.
The term “health hazard”
includes stress due to temperature extremes and chemicals that
are:
• Carcinogens
• Toxic or highly toxic agents
• Reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers,
hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, or neurotoxins
• Agents acting on the hematopoietic system agents that
damage lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. (Detailed definitions
of these chemical terms can be found in the Safety and health
core rules, WAC 296-307-550,
chemical hazard communication.)
Immediately dangerous to life or health
(IDLH)
Any atmospheric condition that
would:
• Cause an immediate threat to life
OR
• Cause permanent or delayed adverse health effects
OR
• Interfere with an employee's ability to escape.
Incident command system (ICS)
An organized approach to control
and manage operations at an emergency response incident.
Incidental release
A release that can be safely controlled
at the time of the release and does not have the potential to
become an uncontrolled release.
Note:
Example of a situation that results in an incidental
release:
A tanker truck is receiving a load of
hazardous liquid when a leak occurs. The driver knows the only
hazard from the liquid is minor skin irritation. The employer
has trained the driver on procedures and provided equipment to
use for a release of this quantity. The driver puts on skin protection
and stops the leak. A spill kit is used to contain, absorb, and
pick up the spilled material for disposal.
Limited action
Action necessary to:
• Secure an operation during emergency
responses,
OR
• Prevent an incident from increasing in severity.
Examples include shutting down processes
and closing emergency valves.
Lines of authority
A preestablished ranking of individuals,
qualified to assume a commanding role during an emergency response,
noted in an emergency response plan and implemented during a response.
This is most important when responders from multiple employers
could participate in an emergency response.
Lower explosive limit (LEL)
See lower flammable limit (LFL).
Lower flammable limit (LFL)
The lowest concentration of a material
that will propagate a flame. The LFL is usually expressed as a
percent (by volume) of the material in air (or other oxidant).
Must
Must means mandatory.
Permissible exposure limit (PEL)
Means the established time-weighted-average
(TWA) concentration or ceiling concentration of a contaminant
that must not be exceeded.
The exposure, inhalation, or dermal
permissible limit specified in chapter 296-307
WAC, Part Y-6, Respiratory hazards.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Protective items designed to be
worn by the user to protect them against airborne, skin contact
and other hazards. This includes items such as respiratory protection,
protective suits, gloves, eye protection, etc.
Postemergency response
The stage of the emergency response where
the immediate threat from the release has been stabilized or eliminated,
and cleanup of the site has started.
Published exposure level
Exposure limits published in “National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommendations
for Occupational Safety and Health” (DHHS publication
#92-100, 1992).
If an exposure limit is not published
by NIOSH, then “published exposure level” means the
exposure limits published by the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in “TLVs and BEIs-Threshold
Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents”
(1999 edition).
Note:
Additional exposure levels published by recognized
organizations such as the American Industrial Hygiene Association
are not required to be observed by this rule; however, they may
be a useful resource when a hazardous substance is not covered
by NIOSH and ACGIH publications.
Release
A spill, leak, or other type of hazardous
substance discharge.
Uncontrolled release
A release where significant safety
and health risks could be created. Releases of hazardous substances
that are either incidental or could not create a safety or health
hazard (i.e., fire, explosion or chemical exposure) are not considered
to be uncontrolled releases.
Examples of conditions that could create
a significant safety and health risk:
Large-quantity releases
Small releases that could be highly
toxic
Airborne exposures that could exceed
a WISHA permissible exposure limit or a published exposure limit
and employees are not adequately trained or equipped to control
the release.
Example of an uncontrolled release:
A forklift driver knocks over a container
of a solvent-based liquid, releasing the contents onto the warehouse
floor. The driver has been trained to recognize the vapor is flammable
and moderately toxic when inhaled. The driver has not been trained
or provided appropriate equipment to address this type of spill.
In this situation, it is not safe for the driver to attempt a
response. The driver needs to notify someone of the release so
an emergency response can be initiated.
Workplace
• A fixed facility
OR
• A temporary location (such as a traffic corridor)
OR
• Locations where employees respond to emergencies.
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