reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-6 - Respiratory Hazards › Section 296-307-62620 - Notify employees

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must notify employees who are or may be
					 exposed to respiratory hazards, as specified in Table 2.
Note:
The notification may be provided either individually,
							 to a group, or by posting of results in an appropriate location that's
							 accessible to affected employees.
Table 2 Notification Requirements
Notify employees of:
As follows:
Any exposure result above a permissible exposure
								limit (PEL)
Within five business days, after the employee's
								exposure result is known to the employer
The corrective action being taken to reduce
								employee exposure to or below the PEL
AND
The schedule for completion of the corrective
								action and any reasons why exposures cannot be lowered to below the PEL
Within fifteen business days, after the employee's
								exposure result is known to the employer
An exposure to these substances:
*Acrylonitrile
*Arsenic (inorganic)
*Asbestos
*Benzene
*Butadiene
*Cadmium
*Coke oven emissions
In writing, as specified in the rule specific to
								the substance
*Cotton dust
*1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropro-pane
*Ethylene oxide
*Formaldehyde
*Lead
*Methylene chloride
*Methylenedianiline
*Vinyl chloride
Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						 49.17.010,
						49.17.040,
						49.17.050,
						49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						296-307-62620, filed 12/21/04, effective
						4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-6 - Respiratory Hazards › Section 296-307-628 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Ceiling.
An exposure limit, measured over the
					 shortest time period feasible, that must not be exceeded during any part of the
					 employee's workday.
Dust.
Solid particles suspended in air. Dusts
					 are generated by handling, drilling, crushing, grinding, rapid impact,
					 detonation, or decrepitation of organic or inorganic materials such as rock,
					 ore, metal, coal, wood, grain, etc.
Exposed or exposure.
The contact an employee
					 has with a toxic substance, harmful physical agent or oxygen deficient
					 condition. Exposure can occur through various routes of entry, such as
					 inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or skin absorption.
Fume.
Solid particles suspended in air,
					 generated by condensation from the gaseous state, generally after
					 volatilization from molten metals, etc.
Gas.
A normally formless fluid which can be
					 changed to the liquid or solid state by the effect of increased pressure or
					 decreased temperature or both.
Mist.
Liquid droplets suspended in air,
					 generated by condensation from the gaseous to the liquid state or by breaking
					 up a liquid into a dispersed state, such as by splashing, foaming, spraying or
					 atomizing.
Oxygen deficient.
An atmosphere with an oxygen
					 content below 19.5% by volume.
Permissible exposure limits (PEL).
Permissible
					 exposure limits (PELs) are employee exposures to toxic substances or harmful
					 agents that must not be exceeded. PELs are specified in applicable WISHA
					 rules.
Short-term exposure limit (STEL).
An exposure
					 limit averaged over a short time period (usually measured for 15 minutes) that
					 must not be exceeded during any part of an employee's workday.
Time weighted average (TWA8).
An exposure limit averaged over 8 hours that must not be exceeded
					 during an employee's workday.
Toxic substance.
Any chemical substance or
					 biological agent, such as bacteria, virus, and fungus, which is any of the
					 following:
(a) Listed in the latest edition of the National Institute
					 for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of
					 Chemical Substances (RTECS);
(b) Shows positive evidence of an acute or chronic health
					 hazard in testing conducted by, or known to, the employer.
The subject of a material safety data sheet kept by or
					 known to the employer showing the material may pose a hazard to human
					 health.
Vapor.
The gaseous form of a substance that is
					 normally in the solid or liquid state.
Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						 49.17.010,
						49.17.040,
						49.17.050,
						49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						296-307-628, filed 12/21/04, effective
						4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Section 296-307-630 - Scope

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The purpose of this part is to:
(1) Prevent employee hearing loss by
				  minimizing employee noise exposures;
AND
(2) Make sure employees exposed to noise are
				  protected.
These goals are accomplished by:
(a) Measuring and computing the employee
				  noise exposure from all equipment and machinery in the workplace, as well as
				  any other noise sources in the work area;
(b) Protecting employees from noise exposure
				  by using feasible noise controls;
(c) Making sure employees use hearing
				  protection, if the employer cannot feasibly control the noise;
(d) Training employees about hearing loss
				  prevention;
(e) Evaluating the
				  employer's hearing loss prevention efforts by tracking employee hearing or
				  periodically reviewing controls and protection;
(f) Making appropriate corrections to the
				  employer's program.
Reference:
Table 1 will help the employer determine the hearing
							 loss prevention requirements for the workplace. For the specific requirements
							 associated with Noise Evaluation Criteria, see WAC
							 296-307-63410
							 of this part.
Table 1 Noise Evaluation Criteria
Criteria
Description
Requirements
85 dBA TWA8
Full-day employee noise exposure dose. If you have
								one or more employees whose exposure equals or exceeds this level, you must
								have a hearing loss prevention program
-Hearing protection
-Training
-Audiometric testing
90 dBA TWA8
Full-day employee noise exposure dose. If you have
								one or more employees whose exposure equals or exceeds this level, you must
								reduce employee noise exposures in the workplace
-Noise controls
AND
-Hearing protection
-Training
-Audiometric testing
115 dBA measured using slow response
Extreme noise level (greater than one second in
								duration)
-Hearing protection
-Signs posted in work areas warning of exposure
140 dBC measured using fast response
Extreme impulse or impact noise (less than one
								second in duration)
Hearing protection
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-632 - Summary

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Employer responsibility:
To prevent employee hearing loss by minimizing, and
						providing protection from, noise exposures.
The employer must meet the
								requirements...
in this section:
Conduct employee noise exposure monitoring.
WAC
								296-307-63205
Control employee noise exposures that equal or
								exceed 90 dBA TWA8.
WAC
								296-307-63210
Make sure employees use hearing protection when
								their noise exposure equals or exceed 85 dBA TWA8.
WAC
								296-307-63215
Make sure exposed employees receive training about
								noise and hearing protection.
WAC
								296-307-63220
Make sure warning signs are posted for areas with
								noise levels that equal or exceed 115 dBA.
WAC
								296-307-63225
Arrange for oversight of audiometric testing.
WAC
								296-307-63230
Identification and correction of deficiencies in a
								hearing loss prevention program.
WAC
								296-307-63235
Documenting hearing loss prevention activities.
WAC
								296-307-63240
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-632, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63205 - Conduct employee noise exposure monitoring

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer must conduct employee noise
					 exposure monitoring to determine the employee's actual exposure when reasonable
					 information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed 85 dBA
					 TWA8.
Notes:
1. Representative monitoring may be used where
								  several employees perform the same tasks in substantially similar
								  conditions.
2. Examples of information or situations that can
								  indicate exposures which equal or exceed 85 dBA TWA8,
								  include:
a. Noise in the workplace that interferes with
								  people speaking, even at close range;
b. Information from the manufacturer of
								  equipment the employer uses in the workplace that indicates high noise levels
								  for machines in use;
c. Reports from employees of ringing in their
								  ears or temporary hearing loss;
d. Warning signals or alarms that are difficult
								  to hear;
e. Work near abrasive blasting or jack hammering
								  operations;
f. Use of tools and equipment such as the
								  following:
i. Heavy equipment or machinery;
ii. Fuel-powered hand tools;
iii. Compressed air-driven tools or equipment in
								  frequent use;
iv. Power saws, grinders or chippers;
v. Powder-actuated tools.
(2) The employer must follow applicable
					 guidance in WAC
					 296-307-634 when
					 conducting noise exposure monitoring.
(3) The employer must make sure the sampling
					 for noise exposure monitoring identifies:
(a)
					 All employees whose exposure equals or exceeds the following:
(i) 85 dBA TWA8 (noise
					 dosimetry, providing an average exposure over an eight-hour time
					 period);
(ii) 115 dBA (slow
					 response sound level meter, identifying short-term noise exposures);
(iii) 140 dBC (fast response sound level
					 meter, identifying almost instantaneous noise exposures).
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63210 - Control employee noise exposures that equal or exceed 90 dBA TWA[8]

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
IMPORTANT:
Hearing protection provides a barrier to noise and
						protects employees but is not considered a control of the noise hazard.
						Separate requirements apply to hearing protection and are found in WAC
						296-307-63215.
The employer must reduce employee noise exposure, using
						feasible controls, wherever exposure equals or exceeds 90 dBA
						TWA8.
Notes:
1. Once noise exposures are brought below 90
								  dBAT WA8, no further reduction is required. However,
								  further reduction of noise may reduce the need for other hearing loss
								  prevention requirements.
2. Controls that eliminate noise at the source
								  or establish a permanent barrier to noise are typically more reliable. For
								  example:
a. Replacing noisy equipment with quiet
								  equipment;
b. Using silencers and mufflers;
c. Installing enclosures;
d. Damping noisy equipment and parts.
3. Other controls and work practices may also be
								  useful for reducing noise exposures. Examples include:
a. Employee rotation;
b. Limiting use of noisy equipment;
c. Rescheduling work.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63210, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63215 - Make sure employees use hearing protection when their noise exposure equals or exceeds 85 dBA TWA[8]

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
					 the employer must make sure employees wear hearing protectors that will provide
					 sufficient protection when exposure equals or exceeds:
(a) 85 dBA TWA8 (noise
					 dosimetry, providing an average exposure over an eight-hour time
					 period);
(b) 115 dBA (slow response
					 sound level meter, identifying short-term noise exposures);
(c) 140 dBC (fast response sound level meter,
					 identifying almost instantaneous noise exposures).
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63220 - Make sure exposed employees receive training about noise and hearing protection

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
					 The employer must train all employees whose noise exposure equals or exceeds 85
					 dBA TWA8.
(2) The employer must provide training when
					 an employee is first assigned to a position involving noise exposure that
					 equals or exceeds 85 dBA TWA8
and
at least
					 annually after that.
(3) The
					 employer must update information provided in the training program to be
					 consistent with changes in controls, hearing protectors and work
					 processes.
(4) The employer must
					 make sure noise and hearing protection training includes:
(a) The effects of noise on hearing
					 (including both occupational and nonoccupational exposures);
(b) Noise controls used in
					 workplace;
(c) The purpose of
					 hearing protectors: The advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various
					 types;
(d) Instructions about
					 selecting, fitting, using, and caring for hearing protection;
(e) The purpose and procedures for program
					 evaluation including audiometric testing and hearing protection auditing when
					 the employer chooses to rely upon auditing (see WAC
					 296-307-638);
(f) The employees' right to access records
					 kept by the employer.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63225 - Make sure warning signs are posted for areas where noise levels equal or exceed 115 dBA

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must make sure warning signs are posted at
						the entrances or boundaries of all well-defined work areas where employees may
						be exposed to noise that equals or exceeds 115 dBA (measured using a sound
						level meter with slow response).
Warning signs must clearly indicate that the area is a
						high noise area and that hearing protectors are required.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63225, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63230 - Arrange for oversight of audio-metric testing

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer must make sure audiometric
					 testing as described by WAC
					 296-307-636 is supervised
					 and reviewed by one of the following licensed or certified individuals:
(a) An audiologist;
(b) An otolaryngologist;
(c) Another qualified physician.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63235 - Identification and correction of deficiencies in a hearing loss prevention program

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
					 The employer must use audiometric testing to identify hearing loss, which may
					 indicate program deficiencies;
(2)
					 The employer must take appropriate actions when deficiencies are found with the
					 employer's program.
A deficiency may be indicated when:
(a) Any employee experiences measurable
					 hearing loss indicated by a standard threshold shift;
OR
(b) Any employee isn't wearing appropriate
					 hearing protection during an audit when auditing is used in place of baseline
					 audiograms for short term employees (see WAC
					 296-307-638, Option to
					 audiometric testing).
Note:
A standard threshold shift or audit deficiency does
								not necessarily indicate that a significant hearing loss has occurred. These
								criteria are intended to help identify where there may be flaws in the
								employer's hearing loss prevention program that can be fixed before permanent
								hearing loss occurs. There are additional statistical tools and tests that may
								be used to improve the effectiveness of the employer's program. Staff
								conducting audiometric testing and auditing may be able to suggest additional
								ways to improve the employer's hearing loss prevention program and tailor it to
								the worksite.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Hearing Loss Prevention Program › Section 296-307-63240 - Documenting hearing loss prevention activities

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must create and retain records documenting
						noise exposures. Include, at a minimum:
(1) Exposure measurements required by this
					 part for at least two years and for as long as the employer relies upon them to
					 determine employee exposure;
(2)
					 Audiometric test records for the duration of employment for the affected
					 employees;
(3) Hearing protection
					 audits, if the employer chooses to rely upon them, for the duration of
					 employment of the affected employees.
Notes:
1. The employer needs to keep as complete a record
								as possible. Records developed under previous rules or in other jurisdictions
								need to be kept, even when they do not fulfill the full requirements of this
								part. Similarly, records found to have errors in collection or processing need
								to be kept if they provide an indication of employee exposure or medical
								condition not found in other records. 2. The employer may want to consider
								other business needs, such as worker's compensation claims management, before
								discarding these records.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63240, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Noise Measurement and Computation › Section 296-307-634 - Summary Employer responsibility

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Conduct noise monitoring or measurement to evaluate
						employee exposures in the workplace.
The employer must meet the
								requirements...
in this section:
Make sure that noise-measuring equipment meets
								recognized standards.
WAC
								296-307-63405
Measure employee noise exposure.
WAC
								296-307-63410
Use these equations when estimating full-day noise
								exposure from sound level measurements.
WAC
								296-307-63415
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-634, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Noise Measurement and Computation › Section 296-307-63405 - Make sure that noise-measuring equipment meets recognized standards

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer
					 must make sure that noise dosimetry equipment meets these specifications:
Dosimeters must be equipment class 2AS-90/80-5 of the
						American National Rule Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters, ANSI S1.
						25-1991, such dosimeters are normally marked "Type 2."
Note:
Make sure any dosimeter used is Type 2
								  equipmentthat:
1. Uses slow integration and A-weighting of
								  sound levels.
2. Has the
criterion level
set to
								  90 dB, so the dosimeter will report a constant 8-hour exposure at 90 dBA as a
								  100% dose.
3. Has the
threshold level
set at
								  80 dB, so the dosimeter will register all noise above 80 dB.
4. Uses a 5 dB
exchange rate
for
								  averaging of noise levels over the sample period.
(2) The employer must make sure that sound
					 level meters meet these specifications:
(a)
					 American National Standard Specification for Sound Level Meters, S1. 4-1984,
					 Type 2 requirements for sound level meters, such sound level meters are
					 normally marked "Type 2."
(b) For
					 continuous noise measurements, the meter must be capable of measuring
					 A-weighted sound levels with slow response.
(c) For impulse or impact noise measurements,
					 the meter must be capable of indicating maximum C-weighted sound level
					 measurements with fast response.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Noise Measurement and Computation › Section 296-307-63410 - Measure employee noise exposure

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
IMPORTANT:
A noise dosimeter is the basis for determining total
						daily noise exposure for employees. However, where there is constant noise
						levels, the employer may estimate employee noise exposure using measurements
						from a sound level meter. Calculation of the employee noise exposure must be
						consistent with WAC
						296-307-63415.
(1) The employer must include all:
(a) Workplace noise from equipment and
					 machinery in use;
(b) Other noise
					 from sources necessary to perform the work;
(c) Noise outside the control of the exposed
					 employees.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Noise Measurement and Computation › Section 296-307-63415 - Use these equations when estimating full-day noise exposure from sound level measurements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must compute employee's full-day noise
						exposure by using the appropriate equations from Table 3 "Noise Dose
						Computation"
when
using a sound level meter to estimate noise
						dose.
Table 3 Noise Dose Computation
Description
Equation
Compute the noise dose based on several time periods
								of constant noise during the shift
The total noise dose over the work day, as a
								percentage, is given by the following equation where Cn
								indicates the total time of exposure at a specific noise level, and
								Tn indicates the reference duration for that level. D =
								100*((C1/T1) +
								(C2/T2) +
								(C3/T3) +... +
								(Cn/Tn))
The reference duration is equal to the time of
								exposure to continuous noise at a specific sound level that will result in a
								one hundred percent dose
The reference duration, T, for sound level, L, is
								given in hours by the equation: T = 8/(2^((L - 90)/5))
Given a noise dose as a percentage, compute the
								equivalent eight-hour time weighted average noise level
The equivalent eight-hour time weighted average,
								TWA8, is computed from the dose, D, by the
								equation:TWA8 = 16.61*
								Log10(D/100) + 90
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63415, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-636 - Summary Employer responsibility

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
To conduct audiometric testing of employees exposed to
						noise to make sure that their hearing protection is effective.
The employer must meet the
								requirements...
in this section:
Provide audiometric testing at no cost to
								employees.
WAC
								296-307-63605
Establish a baseline audio-gram for each exposed
								employee.
WAC
								296-307-63610
Conduct annual audiograms.
WAC
								296-307-63615
Review audiograms that indicate a standard threshold
								shift.
WAC
								296-307-63620
Keep the baseline audio-gram without revision,
								unless annual audiograms indicate a persistent threshold shift or a significant
								improvement in hearing.
WAC
								296-307-63625
Make sure a record is kept of audiometric
								tests.
WAC
								296-307-63630
Make sure audiometric testing equipment meets these
								requirements.
WAC
								296-307-63635
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-636, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63605 - Provide audiometric testing at no cost to employees

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must provide audiograms, including any
						required travel or necessary additional examinations or testing, at no cost to
						exposed employees.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63605, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63610 - Establish a baseline audiogram for each exposed employee

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer must conduct a baseline
					 audiogram when an employee is first assigned to work involving noise exposures
					 that equal or exceed 85 dBA TWA8.
(a) Make sure this audiogram is completed no
					 more than one hundred eighty days after the employee is first assigned;
OR
(b) Make sure employee is covered by a
					 hearing protection audit program (as described by WAC
					 296-307-638 and available
					 as an alternative only for employees hired for less than one year).
Note:
Employers who utilize mobile test units are allowed
								up to one year to obtain a valid baseline audiogram for each exposed employee.
								The employees must still be given training and hearing protection as required
								by this part.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63615 - Conduct annual audiograms

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
					 The employer must conduct annual audiograms for employees as long as they
					 continue to be exposed to noise that equals or exceeds 85 dBA
					 TWA8.
Note:
Annual audiometric testing may be conducted at any
								time during the work shift. By conducting the annual audiogram during the work
								shift with the employee exposed to typical noise for their job, the test may
								record a temporary threshold shift. This makes the test more sensitive to
								potential hearing loss and may help you improve employee protection before a
								permanent threshold shift occurs. A suspected temporary shift is one reason an
								employer may choose to retest employee hearing.
(2) The employer must make sure each employee
					 is informed of the results of his or her audiometric test.
Include whether or not there has been a hearing level
						decrease or improvement since their previous test.
(3) The employer must make sure each
					 employee's annual audiogram is compared to his or her baseline audio-gram by an
					 audiologist, otolaryngologist, another qualified physician, or the technician
					 conducting the test to determine if a standard threshold shift has occurred.
If the annual audiogram indicates that an employee has
						suffered a standard threshold shift, the employer may obtain a retest within
						thirty days and consider the results of the retest as the annual
						audiogram.
(4) The employer
					 must make sure that an audiolo-gist, otolaryngologist, or other qualified
					 physician sees any annual audiogram that indicates a standard threshold
					 shift.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63615, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63620 - Review audiograms that indicate a standard threshold shift

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer
					 must make sure the health care professional supervising audiograms has:
(a) A copy of this part;
(b) The baseline audiogram and most recent
					 audio-gram of the employee to be evaluated;
(c) Background noise level records for the
					 testing room;
(d) Calibration
					 records for the audiometer.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63625 - Keep the baseline audiogram without revision, unless annual audiograms indicate a persistent threshold shift or a significant improvement in hearing

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must keep the baseline audiogram without
						revision, unless a qualified reviewer determines:
(1) The standard threshold shift revealed by
					 the audiogram is persistent;
OR
(2) The hearing threshold shown in the annual
					 audiogram indicates significant improvement over the baseline
					 audiogram.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63625, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63630 - Make sure a record is kept of audiometric tests

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must retain a legible copy of all employee
						audiograms conducted under this part.
Make sure the record includes:
(1) Name and job classification of the
					 employee;
(2) Date of the
					 audiogram;
(3) The examiner's
					 name;
(4) Date of the last acoustic
					 or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer;
(5) Employee's most recent noise exposure
					 assessment;
(6) The background
					 sound pressure levels in audio-metric test rooms.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63630, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63635 - Make sure audiometric testing equipment meets these requirements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer
					 must use pure tone, air conduction, hearing threshold examinations, with test
					 frequencies including as a minimum 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz.
(a) Tests at each frequency must be taken
					 separately for each ear.
(b)
					 Supra-aural headphones must be used.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Options to Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63805 - Conduct hearing protection audits at least quarterly

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer must conduct audits at least
					 quarterly to provide a representative assessment of the workplace.
(a) The assessment is representative if it:
(i) Covers all processes and work activities
					 in the employer's business at full production levels;
AND
(ii) Covers all employees present on the
					 audit day.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Options to Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63810 - Make sure staff conducting audits are properly trained

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must make sure staff conducting hearing
						protection audits:
(1) Can demonstrate
					 competence in:
(a) Evaluating hearing
					 protection attenuation;
(b)
					 Evaluating hearing protector choices;
(c) Assessing the correct use of hearing
					 protectors.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Options to Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63815 - Assess the hearing protection used by each employee during audits

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The employer must confirm that:
(1) Current site conditions during audits are
					 consistent with conditions existing during noise monitoring;
(2) The hearing protection used by the
					 employee is sufficient and appropriate for the conditions;
(3) The hearing protection is worn
					 properly;
(4) The employees are
					 satisfied with the performance and comfort of the hearing protection.
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-63815, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Options to Audiometric Testing › Section 296-307-63820 - Document hearing protection audits

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer must keep a record of audit
					 results for each employee assessed for the length of their employment and for
					 the length of time the employer will rely upon the audit results.
(2) The employer must include the following
					 information in the record:
(a) The make and
					 model of the hearing protectors;
(b) The size of the protectors;
(c) Average noise exposure of the
					 employee;
(d) Any problems found
					 with use of the hearing protection;
(e) Any comments or complaints from the
					 employee regarding the hearing protection.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-7 - Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) › Third-party Audiometric Tests › Section 296-307-63825 - Make sure third-party hearing loss prevention programs meet the following requirements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
IMPORTANT:
Third-party hearing loss prevention programs are
						intended:
1. For short-term employees
					 hired or assigned to duties having noise exposures
for less than one
					 year
;
AND
2. For seasonal employees.
However, other employees may be included as long as the
						employer meets all requirements for hearing loss follow-ups and
						recordkeeping.
(1) The employer must
					 make sure that the third-party program is:
(a)
					 Equivalent to an employer program as required by this part;
AND
(b) Uses audiometric testing to evaluate
					 hearing loss.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-8 - Confined Spaces › Section 296-307-642 - Scope

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This part applies to all confined spaces and provides
					 requirements to protect employees from the hazards of entering and working in
					 confined spaces. This part applies in any of the following
					 circumstances:
(1) The employer has
				  confined spaces in the workplace.
(2) Employees will enter another employer's
				  confined spaces.
(3) A contractor
				  will enter the employer's confined spaces.
(4) The employer provides confined space
				  rescue services
.
The employer can use Table 1 to help decide which
					 requirements to follow for confined spaces.
Table 1 Requirements for Confined
					 Spaces
For confined spaces that are
The requirements in the following
							 sections apply
644
646
648
650
652
654
Permit-required confined spaces
X
X
X
X
X
X
Entered by a contractor
X
X
X
X
X
X
Nonpermit confined spaces
X
X
Never entered
X
If the employer only:
Uses alternate entry procedures
X
X
X
X
Has a contractor enter the space
X
Is a rescue service provider
X
X
X
Definition:
Confined space.
A space that is ALL of the
					 following:
(a) Large enough and
				  arranged so an employee could fully enter the space and work.
(b) Has limited or restricted entry or exit.
				  Examples of spaces with limited or restricted entry are tanks, vessels, silos,
				  storage bins, hoppers, vaults, excavations, and pits.
(c) Not primarily designed for human
				  occupancy.
Notes:
1. Requirements in other chapters may apply to the
								employer's work. The employer will find some safety and health requirements are
								addressed on a broad level in this part, while being addressed for a specific
								application in another rule. When this happens, both requirements apply and
								should not conflict. When a conflict does occur, the employer needs to follow
								the more specific requirement.
2. If the employer is uncertain which requirements
								to follow, contact the local labor and industries (L& I)
								office.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-8 - Confined Spaces › Section 296-307-644 - Summary Identifying and controlling permit-required confined spaces

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Employer responsibility:
To identify permit-required confined spaces and control
					 employee entry.
The employer must meet the
							 requirements.....
in this section:
Identify permit-required confined spaces.
WAC
							 296-307-64402
Inform employees and control entry to permit-required
							 confined spaces.
WAC
							 296-307-64404
The employer must follow these requirements when
							 contracting with another employer to enter its confined space.
WAC
							 296-307-64406
Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						 49.17.010,
						49.17.040,
						49.17.050,
						49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						296-307-644, filed 12/21/04, effective
						4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-8 - Confined Spaces › Section 296-307-64402 - Identify permit-required confined spaces

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
IMPORTANT:
If the employer's workplace contains only non-permit
					 confined spaces and employees do not enter another employer's confined space,
					 the employer may follow only the requirements in:
1. WAC
				  296-307-644, Identifying
				  and controlling permit-required confined spaces; and
2. WAC
				  296-307-654,
				  Nonpermit confined spaces requirements.
(1)
				  The employer must identify all permit-required confined spaces in your
				  workplace.
(2) The employer must
				  assume any confined space is a permit-required confined space, unless the
				  employer determines the space to be a nonpermit confined space.
(a) If the employer or employees enter the
				  space to determine the hazards, follow the requirements in WAC
				  296-307-650, Permit entry
				  procedures.
(b) If the employer
				  evaluates the confined space and there are no potential or actual hazards, the
				  employer can consider it to be a nonpermit confined space.
(3) The employer must document its
				  determination that the space is nonpermit, as required by WAC
				  296-307-654.
Definitions:
Permit-required confined space or permit
					 space.
A confined space that has one or more of the following
					 characteristics capable of causing death or serious physical harm:
(a) Contains or has a potential to contain a
				  hazardous atmosphere.
(b) Contains
				  a material with the potential for engulfing someone who enters the
				  space.
(c) Has an internal
				  configuration that could allow someone entering to be trapped or asphyxiated by
				  inwardly converging walls or by a floor, which slopes downward and tapers to a
				  smaller cross-section.
(d) Contains
				  any physical hazard. This includes any recognized health or safety hazards
				  including engulfment in solid or liquid material, electrical shock, or moving
				  parts.
(e) Contains any other
				  recognized safety or health hazard that could either:
(i) Impair the ability to self rescue;
OR
(ii) Result in a situation that presents an
				  immediate danger to life or health.
Nonpermit confined space.
A confined space
					 that does NOT contain actual hazards or potential hazards capable of causing
					 death or serious physical harm.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-8 - Confined Spaces › Section 296-307-64404 - Inform employees and control entry to permit-required confined spaces

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer
				  must provide information about confined spaces as follows:
(a) Make available to affected employees and
				  their authorized representatives all information and documents required by this
				  part.
(b) Inform affected employees
				  about the existence, location, and danger of any permit-required confined
				  spaces in the workplace by:
(i) Posting
				  danger signs; or
(ii) Using any
				  other equally effective means to inform employees.
Note:
A sign reading "Danger-Permit Required Confined Space,
							 DO NOT ENTER" or using pictures or other similar wording employees can
							 understand would satisfy the requirement for a sign.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-8 - Confined Spaces › Section 296-307-64406 - The employer must follow these requirements when contracting with another employer to enter its confined space

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
IMPORTANT:
The contractor is responsible for following all confined
					 space requirements in this part and in other rules that apply.
The employer must do
all
of the following if
					 the employer arranges to have another employer (contractor) perform work that
					 involves entry into its permit-required confined space:
(1) Inform the contractor:
(a) That the workplace contains
				  permit-required confined spaces and entry is allowed only if the applicable
				  requirements of this part are met.
(b) Of the identified hazards and experience
				  with each permit-required confined space.
(c) Of any employer required precautions or
				  procedures for the protection of employees in or near spaces where the
				  contractor will be working.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-8 - Confined Spaces › Permit-required Confined Space Program › Section 296-307-646 - Summary

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Employer responsibility:
To develop the employer's permit-required confined
						space program and practices.
IMPORTANT:
This section applies if employees will enter a
						permit-required confined space.
The employer must meet the
								requirements....
in this section:
Develop a written permit-required confined space
								program.
WAC
								296-307-64602
Meet these additional requirements if employees
								enter another employer's confined space.
WAC
								296-307-64604
Statutory Authority:
						  RCW
						   49.17.010,
						  49.17.040,
						  49.17.050,
						  49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, §
						  296-307-646, filed 12/21/04, effective
						  4/2/05.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-8 - Confined Spaces › Permit-required Confined Space Program › Section 296-307-64602 - Develop a written permit-required confined space program

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
IMPORTANT:
Identify and evaluate the hazards of permit-required
						confined spaces and the work performed, to assist the employer in developing
						its entry program.
(1) The employer
					 must develop a written program, before employees enter, that describes the
					 means, procedures, and practices the employer uses for the safe entry of
					 permit-required confined spaces as required by this part. Include the following
					 when applicable to the employer's confined space entry program:
(a) Documentation of permit entry
					 procedures.
(b) Documentation used
					 for alternate entry procedures.
(c)
					 How to reclassify permit-required confined spaces to nonpermit
					 spaces.
(d) Designation of employee
					 roles, such as entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, rescuers, or those who
					 test or monitor the atmosphere in a permit-required space.
(e) Identification of designated employee
					 duties.
(f) Training employees on
					 their designated roles.
(g) How to
					 identify and evaluate hazards.
(h)
					 Use and maintenance of equipment.
(i) How to prevent unauthorized
					 entry.
(j) How to coordinate entry
					 with another employer.
(k) How to
					 rescue entrants.
Note:
For alternate entry, the employer's written program
								only needs to meet the requirements of WAC
								296-307-648, Employee
								training, and WA C 296-307-652, Alternate entry procedures, of this part.