Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-10 - Emergency Response › Section 296-307-704 - Scope Emergency response to hazardous substance releases

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
To state the minimum requirements that help the employer
					 protect the safety and health of its employees during a response to hazardous
					 substance releases in the employer's workplace or any other location.
Requirements of this rule that apply to the
					 employer's workplace.
This section applies if the employer's employees are, or
					 could become, involved in responding to uncontrolled releases of hazardous
					 substances in the workplace or any other location. Use the scope flow chart,
					 and definitions that follow, to determine if this section applies to the
					 employer's workplace(s). Defined words are
italicized
in the
					 flow chart.
307 - FLOWCHART
Click to view
					 image
*The flow chart references other rules applicable to the
					 workplace depending on conditions and hazards.
Examples include:
(1) Chapter 296-828 WAC, Hazardous chemicals
				  in laboratories.
(2) WAC
				  296-307-594, Respiratory
				  protection.
Definitions that apply to the flow chart (see WAC
					 296-307-70480 for
					 additional definitions used in this section):
Danger area
.
Areas where
					 conditions pose a serious danger to employees, such as areas where:
(a) Immediately dangerous to life or health
				  (IDLH) conditions could exist;
OR
(b) High levels of exposure to toxic
				  substances could exist;
OR
(c) There is a potential for exceeding the
				  lower explosive limit (LEL), also known as the lower flammability limit (LFL),
				  of a substance.
Emergency response
.
A
					 response to an anticipated release of a hazardous substance that is, or could
					 become, an
uncontrolled release
.
Hazardous substance
.
Any
					 biological, radiological, or chemical substance that can have adverse effects
					 on humans. (See WAC
					 296-307-70480 for a
					 more specific definition.)
Immediately dangerous to life or health
					 (IDLH)
.
Any atmospheric condition that would:
(a) Cause an immediate threat to
				  life;
(b) Cause permanent or
				  delayed adverse health effects;
(c)
				  Interfere with an employee's ability to escape.
Incidental release
.
A release
					 that can be safely controlled at the time of the release and does not have the
					 potential to become an
uncontrolled release
.
Example of a situation that results in an incidental
					 release:
A tanker truck is receiving a load of hazardous liquid when
					 a leak occurs. The driver knows the only hazard from the liquid is minor skin
					 irritation. The employer has trained the driver on procedures and provided
					 equipment to use for a release of this quantity. The driver puts on skin
					 protection and stops the leak. A spill kit is used to contain, absorb, and pick
					 up the spilled material for disposal.
Limited action
. Action
					 necessary to:
(a) Secure an
				  operation during emergency responses;
OR
(b) Prevent an incident from increasing in
				  severity.
Examples include shutting down processes and closing
					 emergency valves.
Release
.
A spill, leak, or
					 other type of hazardous substance discharge.
Uncontrolled release
.
A
					 release where significant safety and health risks could be created. Releases of
					 hazardous substances that are either incidental or could not create a safety or
					 health hazard (i.e., fire, explosion or chemical exposure) are not considered
					 to be uncontrolled releases.
(a) Examples of conditions that could create
				  a significant safety and health risk:
(i)
				  Large-quantity releases;
(ii)
				  Small-releases that could be highly toxic;
(iii) Airborne exposures that could exceed a
				  WISHA permissible exposure limit or a published exposure limit and employees
				  are not adequately trained or equipped to control the release.
(b) Example of an uncontrolled
				  release:
A forklift driver knocks over a container of a
					 solvent-based liquid, releasing the contents onto the warehouse floor. The
					 driver has been trained to recognize the vapor is flammable and moderately
					 toxic when inhaled. The driver has not been trained or provided appropriate
					 equipment to address this type of spill. In this situation, it is not safe for
					 the driver to attempt a response. The driver needs to notify someone of the
					 release so an emergency response can be initiated.
Workplace
.
(a) A fixed facility;
OR
(b) A temporary location (such as a traffic
				  corridor);
OR
(c) Locations where employees respond to
				  emergencies.
Summary:
Employer responsibility:
To anticipate, plan for, and manage emergency response
					 operations so employees are protected from hazardous substances and
					 conditions.
Note:
Other chapters may apply to the employer's workplace,
							 such as: Chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards.
The employer will find some safety and health requirements
					 (for example, personal protective equipment) are addressed on a general level
					 in the core rules, while being addressed for a specific application in this
					 section. When this happens, both requirements apply and should not
					 conflict.
If the employer is uncertain which requirements to follow,
					 the employer must comply with the more protective requirement. Contact the
					 local L& I office if assistance is needed in making this
					 determination.
The employer must meet the
							 requirements...
in this section:
Planning.
WAC
							 296-307-70410
Training.
WAC
							 296-307-70415
Medical surveillance.
WAC
							 296-307-70420
Keep records.
WAC
							 296-307-70425
Incident requirements.
WAC
							 296-307-70430
Implement and maintain an incident command system
							 (ICS) (incident command system).
WAC
							 296-307-70435
Prepare skilled support personnel.
WAC
							 296-307-70440
Make sure the incident commander oversees activities
							 during the response.
WAC
							 296-307-70445
Use the buddy system in danger areas.
WAC
							 296-307-70450
Provide rescue and medical assistance.
WAC
							 296-307-70455
Personal protective equipment.
WAC
							 296-307-70460
Control hazards created by personal protective
							 equipment (PPE).
WAC
							 296-307-70465
Use personal protective equipment (PPE) properly.
WAC
							 296-307-70470
Postemergency response.
WAC
							 296-307-70475
Definitions.
WAC
							 296-307-70480