Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-855 - Ethylene oxide › Section 296-855-100 - Scope

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This chapter applies to occupational exposure to
				ethylene oxide.
Definition:
Ethylene oxide (EtO).
An organic
				chemical represented by the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry
				number 75-21-8. It is a flammable colorless gas that is commonly used
				to sterilize medical equipment and as a fumigant for certain
				agricultural products. It is also used as an intermediary in the
				production of various chemicals such as ethylene glycol, automotive
				antifreeze, and polyethylene.
Exposure.
The contact an employee has
				with EtO, whether or not protection is provided by respirators or
				other personal protective equipment (PPE). Exposure can occur through
				various routes of entry such as inhalation, ingestion, or skin and
				eye contact.
Some of the requirements in this chapter may not
				apply to every workplace with an occupational exposure to EtO. The
				following steps will show which requirements apply to your workplace
				based on employee exposure monitoring results.
Step one :
Follow requirements in the basic
						rules section, WAC
						296-855-20010
						through
						296-855-20090.
Step two:
Use employee exposure monitoring
						results from the exposure evaluations required by, Exposure
						evaluations, WAC
						296-855-20050,
						and follow Table 1 to find out which additional sections of this
						chapter apply to your workplace.
Step three:
You need only follow Exposure
						records, WAC
						296-855-20070
						and Medical records, WAC
						296-855-30080
						if you have documentation conclusively demonstrating that employee
						exposure for ethylene oxide and the operation where it's used, cannot
						exceed the AL or STEL during any conditions reasonably anticipated.
* Such documentation can be based on
						  observations, data, calculations, and previous air monitoring
						  results.
Table 1 Sections That Apply to Your
				Workplace
If:
Then continue to follow the
						basic rules, and the additional requirements in:
Employee exposure monitoring
						results are below the AL and STEL
No additional requirements if
						exposures remain stable
Employee exposure monitoring
						results are above the PELs
Note: PEL refers to both the STEL and
						  TWA
* Exposure and medical monitoring,
						WAC
						296-855-30010
						through
						296-855-30080;
AND
* Exposure control, WAC
						  296-855-40010
						  through
						  296-855-40040
Employee exposure monitoring
						results are above the AL;
AND
Below the STEL
Exposure and medical monitoring,
						WAC
						296-855-30010
						through
						296-855-30080
When there is a possibility of an
						emergency release of EtO
Establish a written emergency
						response plan and a means of alerting potentially exposed employees
						as found in Exposure control plan, WAC
						296-855-40010.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW  49.17.010,
				  49.17.040,
				  49.17.050,
				  49.17.060. 05-17-168,
				  § 296-855-100, filed 8/23/05, effective
				  1/1/06.