(1) “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 and measuring procedures under WAC
296-62-20025.
(2) “Beehive oven.” A coke oven in which the products of carbonization
other than coke are not recovered, but are released into the ambient air.
(3) “Coke oven.” A retort in which coke is produced by the destructive
distillation or carbonization of coal.
(4) “Coke oven battery.” A structure containing a number of slot-type
coke ovens.
(5) “Coke oven emissions.” The benzenesoluble fraction of total
particulate matter present during the destructive distillation or carbonization
of coal for the production of coke.
(6) “Director.” The director of the department of labor and industries
or his or her authorized representative.
(7) “Emergency.” Any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment
failure which is likely to, or does, result in any massive release of
coke oven emissions.
(8) “Existing coke oven battery.” A battery in operation or under
construction on January 20, 1977, and which is not rehabilitated.
(9) “Rehabilitated coke oven battery.” A battery which is rebuilt,
overhauled, renovated, or restored such as from the pad up, after January
20, 1977.
(10) “Stage charging.” A procedure by which a predetermined volume
of coal in each larry car hopper is introduced into an oven such that
no more than two hoppers are discharging simultaneously.
(11) “Sequential charging.” A procedure, usually automatically
timed, by which a predetermined volume of coal in each larry car hopper
is introduced into an oven such that no more than two hoppers commence
or finish discharging simultaneously although, at some point, all hoppers
are discharging simultaneously.
(12) “Pipeline charging.” Any apparatus used to introduce coal
into an oven which uses a pipe or duct permanently mounted onto an oven
and through which coal is charged.
(13) “Green push.” Coke which when removed from the oven results
in emissions due to the presence of unvolatized coal.
The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to coke oven emissions
at concentrations greater than 150 micrograms per cubic meter of air (150
mg/m3), averaged over any 8-hour period.
(1) The employer shall establish regulated areas and shall limit access
to them to authorized persons.
(2) The employer shall establish the following as regulated areas:
(a) The coke oven battery including topside and its machinery, pushside
and its machinery, coke side and its machinery, and the battery ends;
the wharf; and the screening station;
(a) Each employer who has a place of employment where coke oven emissions
are present shall monitor employees employed in the regulated area to
measure their exposure to coke oven emissions.
(b) The employer shall obtain measurements which are representative
of each employee's exposure to coke oven emissions over an eight-hour
period. All measurements shall determine exposure without regard to
the use of respiratory protection.
(c) The employer shall collect full-shift (for at least seven continuous
hours) personal samples, including at least one sample during each shift
for each battery and each job classification within the regulated areas
including at least the following job classifications:
(i) Lidman;
(ii) Tar chaser;
(iii) Larry car operator;
(iv) Luterman;
(v) Machine operator, coke side;
(vi) Benchman, coke side;
(vii) Benchman, pusher side;
(viii) Heater;
(ix) Quenching car operator;
(x) Pusher machine operator;
(xi) Screening station operator;
(xii) Wharfman;
(xiii) Oven patcher;
(xiv) Oven repairman;
(xv) Spellman; and
(xvi) Maintenance personnel.
(d) The employer shall repeat the monitoring and measurements required
by subsection (1) of this section at least every three months.
(2) Redetermination. Whenever there has been a production, process,
or control change which may result in new or additional exposure to coke
oven emissions, or whenever the employer has any other reason to suspect
an increase in employee exposure, the employer shall repeat the monitoring
and measurements required by subsection (1) of this section for those
employees affected by such change or increase.
(3) Employee notification.
(a) The employer shall notify each employee in writing of the exposure
measurements which represent that employee's exposure within five working
days after the receipt of the results of measurements required by subsection
(1) and (2) of this section.
(b) Whenever such results indicate that the representative employee
exposure exceeds the permissible exposure limit, the employer shall,
in such notification, inform each employee of that fact and of the corrective
action being taken to reduce exposure to or below the permissible exposure
limit.
(4) Accuracy of measurement. The employer shall use a method of
monitoring and measurement which has an accuracy (with a confidence level
of 95%) of not less than plus or minus 35% for concentrations of coke
oven emissions greater than or equal to 150 µg/m3.
The employer shall control employee exposure to coke oven emissions by
the use of engineer controls, work practices and respiratory protection
as follows:
(1) Priority of compliance methods.
(a) Existing coke oven batteries.
(i) The employer shall institute the engineer and work practice controls
listed in subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section in
existing coke oven batteries at the earliest possible time,
but not later than January 20, 1980, except to the extent
that the employer can establish that such controls are not
feasible. In determining the earliest possible time for institution
of engineer and work practice controls, the requirement, effective
August 27, 1971, to implement feasible administrative or engineer
controls to reduce exposures to coal tar pitch volatiles,
shall be considered. Wherever the engineer and work practice
controls which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce
employee exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit,
the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures
to the lowest level achievable by these controls and shall
supplement them by the use of respiratory protection which
complies with the requirements of WAC
296-62-20011.
(ii) The engineer and work practice controls required under subsections
(2), (3) and (4) of this section are minimum requirements
generally applicable to all existing coke oven batteries.
If, after implementing all controls required by subsections
(2), (3) and (4) of this section, or after January 20, 1980,
whichever is sooner, employee exposures still exceed the permissible
exposure limit, employers shall implement any other engineer
and work practice controls necessary to reduce exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limit except to the extent
that the employer can establish that such controls are not
feasible. Whenever the engineer and work practice controls
which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee
exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit, the
employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures to
the lowest level achievable by these controls and shall supplement
them by the use of respiratory protection which complies with
the requirements of WAC
296-62-20011.
(b) New or rehabilitated coke oven batteries.
(i) The employer shall institute the best available engineer and
work practice controls on all new or rehabilitated coke oven
batteries to reduce and maintain employee exposures at or
below the permissible exposure limit, except to the extent
that the employer can establish that such controls are not
feasible. Wherever the engineer and work practice controls
which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee
exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit, the
employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures to
the lowest level achievable by these controls and shall supplement
them by the use of respiratory protection which complies with
the requirements of WAC
296-62-20011.
(ii) If, after implementing all the engineer and work practice controls
required by (b)(i) of this subsection, employee exposures
still exceed the permissible exposure limit, the employer
shall implement any other engineer and work practice controls
necessary to reduce exposure to or below the permissible exposure
limit except to the extent that the employer can establish
that such controls are not feasible. Wherever the engineer
and work practice controls which can be instituted are not
sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the permissible
exposure limit, the employer shall nonetheless use them to
reduce exposures to the lowest level achievable by these controls
and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection
which complies with the requirements of WAC
296-62-20011.
(c) Beehive ovens.
(i) The employer shall institute engineer and work practice controls
on all beehive ovens at the earliest possible time to reduce
and maintain employee exposures at or below the permissible
exposure limit, except to the extent that the employer can
establish that such controls are not feasible. In determining
the earliest possible time for institution of engineer and
work practice controls, the requirement, effective August
27, 1971, to implement feasible administrative or engineer
controls to reduce exposures to coal tar pitch volatiles,
shall be considered. Wherever the engineer and work practice
controls which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce
employee exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit,
the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures
to the lowest level achievable by these controls and shall
supplement them by the use of respiratory protection which
complies with the requirements of WAC
296-62-20011.
(ii) If, after implementing all engineer and work practice controls
required by (c)(i) of this subsection, employee exposures
still exceed the permissible exposure limit, the employer
shall implement any other engineer and work practice controls
necessary to reduce exposures to or below the permissible
exposure limit except to the extent that the employer can
establish that such controls are not feasible. Whenever the
engineer and work practice controls which can be instituted
are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below
the permissible exposure limit, the employer shall nonetheless
use them to reduce exposures to the lowest level achievable
by these controls and shall supplement them by the use of
respiratory protection which complies with the requirements
of WAC
296-62-20011.
(2) Engineer controls.
(a) Charging. The employer shall equip and operate existing coke oven
batteries with all of the following engineer controls to control coke
oven emissions during charging operations:
(i) One of the following methods of charging:
(A) Stage charging as described in subsection (3)(a)(ii) of this
section; or
(B) Sequential charging as described in subsection (3)(a)(ii) of
this section except that subsection (3)(a)(ii) and (3)(d) of this
section does not apply to sequential charging; or
(C) Pipeline charging or other forms of enclosed charging in accordance
with (a) of this subsection, except (a)(ii), (iv), (v), (vi) and
(viii) of this subsection do not apply.
(ii) Drafting from two or more points in the oven being charged,
through the use of double collector mains, or a fixed or moveable
jumper pipe system to another oven, to effectively remove the gases
from the oven to the collector mains;
(iii) Aspiration systems designed and operated to provide sufficient
negative pressure and flow volume to effectively move the gases evolved
during charging into the collector mains, including sufficient steam
pressure, and steam jets of sufficient diameter;
(iv) Mechanical volumetric controls on each larry car hopper to provide
the proper amount of coal to be charged through each charging hole
so that the tunnel head will be sufficient to permit the gases to
move from the oven into the collector mains;
(v) Devices to facilitate the rapid and continuous flow of coal into
the oven being charged, such as stainless steel liners, coal vibrators
or pneumatic shells;
(vi) Individually operated larry car drop sleeves and slide gates
designed and maintained so that the gases are effectively removed
from the oven into the collector mains;
(vii) Mechanized gooseneck and standpipe cleaners;
(viii) Air seals on the pusher machine leveler bars to control air
infiltration during charging; and
(ix) Roof carbon cutters or a compressed air system or both on the
pusher machine rams to remove roof carbon.
(b) Coking. The employer shall equip and operate existing coke oven
batteries with all of the following engineer controls to control coke
oven emissions during coking operations:
(i) A pressure control system on each battery to obtain uniform collector
main pressure;
(ii) Ready access to door repair facilities capable of prompt and
efficient repair of doors, door sealing edges and all door parts;
(iii) An adequate number of spare doors available for replacement
purposes;
(iv) Chuck door gaskets to control chuck door emissions until such
door is repaired, or replaced; and
(v) Heat shields on door machines.
(3) Work practice controls.
(a) Charging. The employer shall operate existing coke oven batteries
with all of the following work practices to control coke oven emissions
during the charging operation:
(i) Establishment and implementation of a detailed, written inspection
and cleaning procedure for each battery consisting of at least the
following elements:
(A) Prompt and effective repair or replacement of all engineer
controls;
(B) Inspection and cleaning of goosenecks and standpipes prior
to each charge to a specified minimum diameter sufficient to effectively
move the evolved gases from the oven to the collector mains;
(C) Inspection for roof carbon build-up prior to each charge and
removal of roof carbon as necessary to provide an adequate gas channel
so that the gases are effectively moved from the oven into the collector
mains;
(D) Inspection of the steam aspiration system prior to each charge
so that sufficient pressure and volume is maintained to effectively
move the gases from the oven to the collector mains;
(E) Inspection of steam nozzles and liquor sprays prior to each
charge and cleaning as necessary so that the steam nozzles and liquor
sprays are clean;
(F) Inspection of standpipe caps prior to each charge and cleaning
and luting or both as necessary so that the gases are effectively
moved from the oven to the collector mains; and
(G) Inspection of charging holes and lids for cracks, warpage and
other defects prior to each charge and removal of carbon to prevent
emissions, and application of luting material to standpipe and charging
hole lids where necessary to obtain a proper seal.
(ii) Establishment and implementation of a detailed written charging
procedure, designed and operated to eliminate emissions during charging
for each battery, consisting of at least the following elements:
(A) Larry car hoppers filled with coal to a predetermined level
in accordance with the mechanical volumetric controls required under
subsection (2)(a)(iv) of this section so as to maintain a sufficient
gas passage in the oven to be charged;
(B) The larry car aligned over the oven to be charged, so that
the drop sleeves fit tightly over the charging holes; and
(C) The oven charged in accordance with the following sequence
of requirements:
(I) The aspiration system turned on;
(II) Coal charged through the outermost hoppers, either individually
or together, depending on the capacity of the aspiration system
to collect the gases involved;
(III) The charging holes used under (a)(ii) and (b) of this subsection
relidded or otherwise sealed off to prevent leakage of coke oven
emissions;
(IV) If four hoppers are used, the third hopper discharged and
relidded or otherwise sealed off to prevent leakage of coke oven
emissions;
(V) The final hopper discharged until the gas channel at the
top of the oven is blocked and then the chuck door opened and
the coal leveled;
(VI) When the coal from the final hopper is discharged and the
leveling operation complete, the charging hole relidded or otherwise
sealed off to prevent leakage of coke oven emissions; and
(VII) The aspiration system turned off only after the charging
holes have been closed.
(VIII) Establishment and implementation of a detailed written
charging procedure, designed and operated to eliminate emissions
during charging of each pipeline or enclosed charged battery.
(b) Coking. The employer shall operate existing coke oven batteries
pursuant to a detailed written procedure established and implemented
for the control of coke oven emissions during coking, consisting of
at least the following elements:
(i) Checking oven back pressure controls to maintain uniform pressure
conditions in the collecting main;
(ii) Repair, replacement and adjustment of oven doors and check doors
and replacement of door jambs so as to provide a continuous metal-to-metal
fit;
(iii) Cleaning of oven doors, chuck doors and door jambs each coking
cycle so as to provide an effective seal;
(iv) An inspection system and corrective action program to control
door emissions to the maximum extent possible; and
(v) Luting of doors that are sealed by luting each coking cycle and
reluting, replacing or adjusting as necessary to control leakage.
(c) Pushing. The employer shall operate existing coke oven batteries
with the following work practices to control coke oven emissions during
pushing operations:
(i) Coke and coal spillage quenched as soon as practicable and not
shoveled into a heated oven; and
(ii) A detailed written procedure for each battery established and
implemented for the control of emissions during pushing consisting
of the following elements:
(A) Dampering off the ovens and removal of charging hole lids to
effectively control coke oven emissions during the push;
(B) Heating of the coal charge uniformly for a sufficient period
so as to obtain proper coking including preventing green pushes;
(C) Prevention of green pushes to the maximum extent possible;
(D) Inspection, adjustment and correction of heating flue temperatures
and defective flues at least weekly and after any green push, so
as to prevent green pushes;
(E) Cleaning of heating flues and related equipment to prevent
green pushes, at least weekly and after any green push.
(d) Maintenance and repair. The employer shall operate existing coke
oven batteries pursuant to a detailed written procedure of maintenance
and repair established and implemented for the effective control of
coke oven emissions consisting of the following elements:
(i) Regular inspection of all controls, including goosenecks, standpipes,
standpipe caps, charging hole lids and castings, jumper pipes and
air seals for cracks, misalignment or other defects and prompt implementation
of the necessary repairs as soon as possible;
(ii) Maintaining the regulated area in a neat, orderly condition
free of coal and coke spillage and debris;
(iii) Regular inspection of the damper system, aspiration system
and collector main for cracks or leakage, and prompt implementation
of the necessary repairs;
(iv) Regular inspection of the heating system and prompt implementation
of the necessary repairs;
(v) Prevention of miscellaneous fugitive topside emissions;
(vi) Regular inspection and patching of over brickwork;
(vii) Maintenance of battery equipment and controls in good working
order;
(viii) Maintenance and repair of coke oven doors, chuck doors, door
jambs and seals; and
(ix) Repairs instituted and completed as soon as possible, including
temporary repair measures instituted and completed where necessary,
including but not limited to:
(A) Prevention of miscellaneous fugitive topside emissions; and
(B) Chuck door gaskets, which shall be installed prior to the start
of the next coking cycle.
(4) Filtered air.
(a) The employer shall provide positive-pressure, temperature controlled
filtered air for larry car, pusher machine, door machine, and quench
car cabs.
(b) The employer shall provide standby pulpits on the battery topside,
at the wharf, and at the screening station, equipped with positive-pressure,
temperature controlled filtered air.
(5) Emergencies. Whenever an emergency occurs, the next coking
cycle may not begin until the cause of the emergency is determined and
corrected, unless the employer can establish that it is necessary to initiate
the next coking cycle in order to determine the cause of the emergency.
(6) Compliance program.
(a) Each employer shall establish and implement a written program to
reduce exposures solely by means of the engineer and work practice controls
specified in subsections (2) through (4) of this section.
(b) The written program shall include at least the following:
(i) A description of each coke oven operation by battery, including
work force and operating crew, coking time, operating procedures and
maintenance practices;
(ii) Engineer plans and other studies used to determine the controls
for the coke battery;
(iii) A report of the technology considered in meeting the permissible
exposure limit;
(iv) Monitoring data obtained in accordance with WAC
296-62-20007.
(v) A detailed schedule for the implementation of the engineer and
work practice controls specified in subsections (2) through (4) of
this section; and
(vi) Other relevant information.
(c) If, after implementing all controls required by subsections (2)
through (4) of this section, or after January 20, 1980, whichever is
sooner, or after completion of a new or rehabilitated battery the permissible
exposure limit is still exceeded, the employer shall develop a detailed
written program and schedule for the implementation of any additional
engineer controls and work practices necessary to reduce exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limit.
(d) Written plans for such programs shall be submitted, upon request,
to the director, and shall be available at the worksite for examination
and copying by the director, and the authorized employee representative.
The plans required under this subsection shall be revised and updated
at least every six months to reflect the current status of the program.
(7) Training in compliance procedures. The employer shall incorporate
all written procedures and schedules required under this section
in the education and training program required under WAC
296-62-20019 and, where appropriate, post in the regulated
area.
(1) General. For employees who use respirators required by this
section, the employer must provide respirators that comply with the requirements
of this section. Compliance with the permissible exposure limit may not
be achieved by the use of respirators except during:
(a) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering
and work-practice controls;
(b) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activity, for which
engineering and work-practice controls are technologically not feasible;
(c) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below
the permissible exposure limit;
(d) Emergencies.
(2) Respirator program. The employer must develop, implement
and maintain a respiratory protection program as required by chapter
296-842
WAC, Respirators.
(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select and
provide to employees appropriate respirators as specified in this
section and WAC 296-842-13005, found in the respirator rule.
Although filtering facepiece respirators may be used for protection
from coke oven particulate emissions, these respirators aren't
appropriate for use against gas or vapor contaminants that present
an exposure hazard.
(a) The employer shall provide the protective clothing required by
subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section in a clean and dry condition
at least weekly.
(b) The employer shall clean, launder, or dispose of protective clothing
required by subsections (1)(a) and (b) of this section.
(c) The employer shall repair or replace the protective clothing and
equipment as needed to maintain their effectiveness.
(d) The employer shall assure that all protective clothing is removed
at the completion of a work shift only in change rooms prescribed
in WAC
296-62-20015.
(e) The employer shall assure that contaminated protective clothing
which is to be cleaned, laundered, or disposed of, is placed in a closed
container in the change room.
(f) The employer shall inform any person who cleans or launders protective
clothing required by this section, of the potentially harmful effects
of exposure to coke oven emissions.
(1) Change rooms. The employer shall provide clean change rooms
equipped with storage facilities for street clothes and separate
storage facilities for protective clothing and equipment whenever
employees are required to wear protective clothing and equipment
in accordance with WAC
296-62-20013.
(2) Showers.
(a) The employer shall assure that employees working in the regulated
area shower at the end of the work shift.
(b) The employer shall provide shower facilities in accordance with
WAC 296-800-230.
(3) Lunchrooms. The employer shall provide lunchroom facilities
which have a temperature controlled, positive pressure, filtered air supply,
and which are readily accessible to employees working in the regulated
area.
(4) Lavatories.
(a) The employer shall assure that employees working in the regulated
area wash their hands and face prior to eating.
(b) The employer shall provide lavatory facilities in accordance with
WAC 296-800-230.
(5) Prohibition of activities in the regulated area.
(a) 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
subsection (1)-(3) of this section.
(b) Drinking water may be consumed in the regulated area.
(a) Each employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for
all employees who are employed in the regulated areas at least 30 days
per year.
(b) This program shall provide each employee covered under subsection
(1)(a) of this section with an opportunity for medical examinations
in accordance with this section.
(c) The employer shall inform any employee who refuses any required
medical examination of the possible health consequences of such refusal
and shall obtain a signed statement from the employee indicating that
the employee understands the risk involved in the refusal to be examined.
(d) The employer shall assure that all medical examinations and procedures
are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, and
are provided without cost to the employee.
(2) Initial examinations. At the time of initial assignment to
a regulated area or upon the institution of the medical surveillance program,
the employer shall provide a medical examination including at least the
following elements:
(a) A work history and medical history which shall include smoking
history and the presence and degree of respiratory symptoms, such as
breathlessness, cough, sputum production, and wheezing;
(b) A 14" x 17" posterior-anterior chest x-ray and International
Labour Office UICC/Cincinnati (ILO U/C) rating;
(c) Pulmonary function tests including forced vital capacity (FVC)
and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV 1.0) with recording
of type of equipment used;
(d) Weight;
(e) A skin examination;
(f) Urinalysis for sugar, albumin, and hematuria; and
(g) A urinary cytology examination.
(3) Periodic examinations.
(a) The employer shall provide the examinations specified in subsections
(2)(a)-(f) of this section at least annually for employees covered under
subsection (1)(a) of this section.
(b) The employer shall provide the examinations specified in subsection
(2)(a)and (c)-(g) of this section at least semi-annually for employees
45 years of age or older or with five or more years employment in the
regulated area.
(c) Whenever an employee who is 45 years of age or older or with five
or more years employment in the regulated area transfers or is transferred
from employment in a regulated area, the employer shall continue to
provide the examinations specified in subsections (2)(a)and (c)-(g)
of this section semi-annually, as long as that employee is employed
by the same employer or a successor employer.
(d) The employer shall provide the x-ray specified in subsection (2)(b)
of this section at least annually for employees covered under this subsection.
(e) Whenever an employee has not taken the examination specified in
subsections (3)(a)-(c) of this section within the six months preceding
the termination of employment, the employer shall provide such examinations
to the employee upon termination of employment.
(4) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall
provide the following information to the examining physician:
(a) A copy of this regulation and its Appendixes;
(b) A description of the affected employee's duties as they relate
to the employee's exposure;
(c) The employee's exposure level or anticipated exposure level;
(d) A description of any personal protective equipment used or to be
used; and
(e) Information from previous medical examinations of the affected
employee which is not readily available to the examining physician.
(5) Physician's written opinion.
(a) The employer shall obtain a written opinion from the examining
physician which shall include:
(i) The results of the medical examinations;
(ii) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee has any detected
medical conditions which would place the employee at increased risk
of material impairment of the employee's health from exposure to coke
oven emissions;
(iii) Any recommended limitations upon the employee's exposure to
coke oven emissions or upon the use of protective clothing or equipment
such as respirators; and
(iv) 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 explanation or treatment.
(b) The employer shall instruct the physician not to reveal in the
written opinion specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational
exposure.
(c) The employer shall provide a copy of the written opinion to the
affected employee.
(a) The employer shall institute a training program for employees who
are employed in the regulated area and shall assure their participation.
(b) The training program shall be provided as of January 20, 1977,
for employees who are employed in the regulated area at that time or
at the time of initial assignment to a regulated area.
(c) The training program shall be provided at least annually for all
employees who are employed in the regulated area, except that training
regarding the occupational safety and health hazards associated with
exposure to coke oven emissions and the purpose, proper use, and limitations
of respiratory protective devices shall be provided at least quarterly
until January 20, 1978.
(d) The training program shall include informing each employee of:
(i) The information contained in the substance information sheet
for coke oven emissions (Appendix A);
(iii) The purpose for and a description of the medical surveillance
program required by WAC
296-62-20017 including information on the occupational
safety and health hazards associated with exposure to coke
oven emissions;
(iv) A review of all written procedures and schedules required under
WAC
296-62-20009; and
(v) A review of this standard.
(2) Access to training materials.
(a) The employer shall make a copy of this standard and its appendixes
readily available to all employees who are employed in the regulated
area.
(b) The employer shall provide all materials relating to the employee
information and training program to the director.
(a) 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 section.
(b) The employer shall assure that no statement appears on or near
any sign required by this section which contradicts or detracts from
the effects of the required sign.
(c) The employer shall assure that signs required by this section are
illuminated and cleaned as necessary so that the legend is readily visible.
(2) Signs.
(a) The employer shall post signs in the regulated area bearing the
legends:
DANGER
CANCER HAZARD
AUTHORIZED
PERSONNEL ONLY
NO SMOKING
OR EATING
(b) In addition, not later than January 20, 1978, the employer shall
post signs in the areas where the permissible exposure limit is exceeded
bearing the legend:
RESPIRATOR REQUIRED
(3) Labels. The employer shall apply precautionary labels to all
containers of protective clothing contaminated with coke oven emissions.
The label shall bear the following legend:
(1) Exposure measurements. The employer shall establish and maintain
an accurate record of all measurements taken to monitor employee
exposure to coke oven emissions required in WAC
296-62-20007.
(a) This record shall include:
(i) Name, social security number, and job classification of the employees
monitored;
(ii) The date(s), number, duration and results of each of the samples
taken, including a description of the sampling procedure used to determine
representative employee exposure where applicable;
(iii) The type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any;
(iv) A description of the sampling and analytical methods used and
evidence of their accuracy; and
(v) The environment variables that could affect the measurement of
employee exposure.
(b) The employer shall maintain this record for at least 40 years or
for the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer.
(2) Medical surveillance. The employer shall establish and maintain
an accurate record for each employee subject to medical surveillance
as required by WAC
296-62-20017.
(a) The record shall include:
(i) The name, social security number, and description of duties of
the employee;
(ii) A copy of the physician's written opinion;
(iii) The signed statement of any refusal to take a medical examination
under WAC
296-62-20017; and
(iv) Any employee medical complaints related to exposure to coke
oven emissions.
(b) The employer shall keep, or assure that the examining physician
keeps, the following medical records:
(i) A copy of the medical examination results including medical and
work history required under WAC
296-62-20017;
(ii) A description of the laboratory procedures used and a copy of
any standards or guidelines used to interpret the test results;
(iii) The initial x-ray;
(iv) The x-rays for the most recent 5 years;
(v) Any x-ray with a demonstrated abnormality and all subsequent
x-rays;
(vi) The initial cytologic examination slide and written description;
(vii) The cytologic examination slide and written description for
the most recent 10 years; and
(viii) Any cytologic examination slides with demonstrated atypia,
if such atypia persists for 3 years, and all subsequent slides and
written descriptions.
(c) The employer shall maintain medical records required under subsection
(2) of this section for at least 40 years, or for the duration of employment
plus 20 years, whichever is longer.
(3) Availability.
(a) The employer shall make available upon request all records required
to be maintained by this section to the director for examination and
copying.
(b) Employee exposure measurement records and employee medical
records required by this subsection shall be provided upon request
to employees, designated representatives, and the assistant
director in accordance with chapter
296-802 WAC.
(c) The employer shall make available upon request employee medical
records required to be maintained by subsection (2) of this section
to a physician designated by the affected employee or former employee.
(4) Transfer of records.
(a) Whenever the employer ceases to do business, the successor employer
shall receive and retain all records required to be maintained by this
section.
(b) 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 by registered mail to the director.
(c) At the expiration of the retention period for the records required
to be maintained under subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the
employer shall transmit these records by registered mail to the director
or shall continue to retain such records.
(d) The employer shall also comply with any additional requirements
involving transfer of records set forth in chapter
296-802 WAC.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050
and 49.17.240. 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), 296-62-20023, filed 8/27/81; Order
77-14, 296-62-20023, filed 7/25/77.]
(1) Employee observation. The employer shall provide affected
employees or their representatives an opportunity to observe any
measuring or monitoring of employee exposure to coke oven emissions
conducted pursuant to WAC
296-62-20007.
(2) Observation procedures.
(a) Whenever observation of the measuring or monitoring of employee
exposure to coke oven emissions requires entry into an area where the
use of protective clothing or equipment is required, the employer shall
provide the observer with and assure the use of such equipment and shall
require the observer to comply with all other applicable safety and
health procedures.
(b) Without interfering with the measurement, observers shall be entitled
to:
(i) An explanation of the measurement procedures;
(ii) Observe all steps related to the measurement of coke oven emissions
performed at the place of exposure; and
(iii) Record the results obtained.
[Order 77-14, 296-62-20025, filed 7/25/77.]
WAC 296-62-20027
Appendix A--Coke oven emissions substance information sheet.
APPENDIX A
COKE OVEN EMISSIONS
SUBSTANCE INFORMATION
SHEET
I. SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION
(1) Substance: Coke oven emissions
(2) Definition: The benzene-soluble fraction of total particulate
matter present during the destructive distillation or carbonization of
coal for the production of coke.
(3) Permissible exposure limit: 150 micrograms per cubic meter
of air determined as an average over an 8-hour period.
(4) Regulated areas: Only employees authorized by your employer
should enter a regulated area. The employer is required to designate the
following areas as regulated areas: the coke oven battery, including topside
and its machinery, pushside and its machinery, and the screening station;
and the wharf, the beehive ovens and machinery.
II. HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Exposure to coke oven emissions is a cause of lung cancer, and possibly
kidney cancer, in humans. Although it does not have an excess number of
skin cancer cases in humans, repeated skin contact with coke oven emissions
should be avoided.
III. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
(1) Respirators: Respirators will be provided by your employer
for routine use if your employer is in the process of implementing engineering
and work practice controls or where engineering and work practice controls
are not feasible or insufficient. You must wear respirators for nonroutine
activities or in emergency situations where you are likely to be exposed
to levels of coke oven emissions in excess of the permissible exposure
limit. Since how well your respirator fits your face is very important,
your employer is required to conduct fit tests to make sure the respirator
seals properly when you wear it. These tests are simple and rapid and
will be explained to you during your training sessions.
(2) Protective clothing: Your employer is required to provide,
and you must wear, appropriate, clean, protective clothing and equipment
to protect your body from repeated skin contact with coke oven emissions
and from the heat generated during the coking process. This clothing should
include such items as jacket and pants and flame resistant gloves. Protective
equipment should include face shield or vented goggles, protective helmets
and safety shoes, insulated from hot surfaces where appropriate.
IV. HYGIENE FACILITIES AND PRACTICES
You must not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or tobacco, or apply cosmetics
in the regulated area, except that drinking water is permitted. Your employer
is required to provide lunchrooms and other areas for these purposes.
Your employer is required to provide showers, washing facilities, and
change rooms. If you work in a regulated area, you must wash your face,
and hands before eating. You must shower at the end of the work shift.
Do not take used protective clothing out of the change rooms without your
employer's permission. Your employer is required to provide for laundering
or cleaning of your protective clothing.
V. SIGNS AND LABELS
Your employer is required to post warning signs and labels for your protection.
Signs must be posted in regulated areas. The signs must warn that a cancer
hazard is present, that only authorized employees may enter the area,
and that no smoking or eating is allowed. In regulated areas where coke
oven emissions are above the permissible exposure limit, the signs should
also warn that respirators must be worn.
VI. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
If you work in a regulated area at least 30 days per year, your employer
is required to provide you with a medical examination every year. The
medical examination must include a medical history, a chest x-ray; pulmonary
function test; weight comparison; skin examination; a urinalysis and a
urine cytology exam for the early detection of urinary cancer. The urine
cytology exam is only included in the initial exam until you are either
forty-five years or older, or have five or more years employment in the
regulated areas when the medical exams including this test, but excepting
the x-ray exam, are to be given every six months; under these conditions,
you are to be given an x-ray exam at least once a year. The examining
physician will provide a written opinion to your employer containing the
results of the medical exams. You should also receive a copy of this opinion.
VII. OBSERVATION OF MONITORING
Your employer is required to monitor your exposure to coke oven emissions
and you are entitled to observe the monitoring procedure. You are entitled
to receive an explanation of the measurement procedure, observe the steps
taken in the measurement procedure, and to record the results obtained.
When the monitoring procedure is taking place in an area where respirators
or personal protective clothing and equipment are required to be worn,
you must also be provided with and must wear the protective clothing and
equipment.
VIII. ACCESS TO RECORDS
You or your representative are entitled to records of your exposure to
coke oven emissions upon request to your employer. Your medical examination
records can be furnished to your physician upon request to your employer.
IX. TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Additional information on all of these items plus training as to hazards
of coke oven emissions and the engineering and work practice controls
associated with your job will also be provided by your employer.
WAC 296-62-20029 Appendix
B--Industrial hygiene and medical surveillance guidelines.
APPENDIX B
INDUSTRIAL
HYGIENE AND MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE
GUIDELINES
I. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE GUIDELINES
(1) Sampling. (Benzene-Soluble Fraction Total Particulate Matter.)
Samples collected should be full shift (8-hour) samples. Sampling should
be done using a personal sampling pump with pulsation damper at a flow
rate of 2 liters per minute. Samples should be collected on 0.8 micrometer
pore size silver membrane filters (37 mm diameter) preceded by Gelman
glass fiber type A filters encased in three-piece plastic (polystyrene)
field monitor cassettes. The cassette face cap should be on and the plug
removed. The rotameter should be checked every hour to ensure that proper
flow rates are maintained.
A minimum of three full-shift samples should be collected for each job
classification on each battery, at least one from each shift. If disparate
results are obtained for particular job classification, sampling should
be repeated. It is advisable to sample each shift on more than one day
to account for environmental variables (wind, precipitation, etc.) which
may affect sampling. Differences in exposures among different work shifts
may indicate a need to improve work practices on a particular shift. Sampling
results from different shifts for each job classification should not be
averaged. Multiple samples from same shift may be used to calculate an
average exposure for a particular job classification.
(2) Analysis.
(a) All extraction glassware is cleaned with dichromic acid cleaning
solution, rinsed with tap water, then deionized water, acetone, and
allowed to dry completely. The glassware is rinsed with nanograde benzene
before use. The Teflon cups are cleaned with benzene then with acetone.
(b) Pre-weigh the 2 ml Perkin-Elmer Teflon cups to one hundredth of
a milligram on a Perkin-Elmer autobalance AD 2 Tare weight of the cups
is about 50 mg.
(c) Place the silver membrane filter and glass fiber filter into a
15 ml test tube.
(d) Extract with 5 ml of benzene for five minutes in an ultrasonic
cleaner.
(e) Filter the extract in 15 ml medium glass fritted funnels.
(f) Rinse test tube and filters with two 1.5 ml aliquots of benzene
and filter through the fritted glass funnel.
(g) Collect the extract and two rinses in a 10 ml Kontes graduated
evaporative concentrator.
(h) Evaporate down to a 1 ml while rinsing the sides with benzene.
(i) Pipet 0.5 ml into the Teflon cup and evaporate to dryness in a
vacuum oven at 40º
C for 3 hours.
(j) Weight the Teflon cup and the weight gain is due to the benzene
soluble residue in half the sample.
II. MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE GUIDELINES
(1) General.
The minimum requirements for the medical examination for coke
oven workers are given in WAC
296-62-20017.
The initial examination is to be provided to all coke oven workers who
work at least thirty days in the regulated area. The examination includes
a 14" x 17" posterior-anterior chest x-ray and a ILO/UC rating
to assure some standardization of x-ray reading, pulmonary function tests
(FVC and FEV 1.0), weight, urinalysis, skin examination and a urinary
cytologic examination. These tests are to serve as the baseline for comparing
the employee's future test results. Periodic exams include all the elements
of the initial exams, except that the urine cytologic test is to be performed
only on those employees who are forty-five years of age or older or who
have worked for five or more years in the regulated area; periodic exams,
with the exception of x-rays, are to be performed semiannually for this
group instead of annually; for this group, x-rays will continue to be
given at least annually. The examination contents are minimum requirements,
additional tests such as lateral and oblique x-rays or additional pulmonary
function tests may be performed if deemed necessary.
(2) Pulmonary function tests.
Pulmonary function tests should be performed in a manner which minimizes
subject and operator bias. There has been shown to be learning effects
with regard to the results obtained from certain tests, such as FEV 1.0.
Best results can be obtained by multiple trials for each subject. The
best of three trials or the average of the last three of five trials may
be used in obtaining reliable results. The type of equipment used (manufacturer,
model, etc.) should be recorded with the results as reliability and accuracy
varies and such information may be important in the evaluation of test
results. Care should be exercised to obtain the best possible testing
equipment.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040,
.050. 99-17-094 (Order 99-01), § 296-62-20029, filed 08/17/99, effective
12/01/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050.
98-02-030, 296-62-20029, filed 12/31/97, effective 1/31/98; Order 77-14,
Appendix B (codified as WAC 296-62-20029), filed 7/25/77.]
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