Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1)
General.
(a) Chemical
manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers must comply with all
requirements of chapter 296-901 WAC, Globally harmonized system for hazard
communication, for beryllium.
(b)
In classifying the hazards of beryllium, at least the following hazards must be
addressed: Cancer; lung effects (CBD and acute beryllium disease); beryllium
sensitization; skin sensitization; and skin, eye, and respiratory tract
irritation.
(c) Employers must
include beryllium in the hazard communication program established to comply
with the HCS. Employers must ensure that each employee has access to labels on
containers of beryllium and to safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance
with the requirements of chapter 296-901 WAC, Globally harmonized system for
hazard communication, and subsection (4) of this section.
(2)
Warning signs.
(a)
Posting. The employer must
provide and display warning signs at each approach to a regulated area so that
each employee is able to read and understand the signs and take necessary
protective steps before entering the area.
(b)
Sign specification.
(i) The employer must ensure that the warning
signs required by (a) of this subsection are legible and readily
visible.
(ii) The employer must
ensure each warning sign required by (a) of this subsection bears the following
legend:
DANGER
REGULATED AREA
BERYLLIUM
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION AND PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT IN THIS AREA
(3)
Warning labels. Consistent with chapter 296-901 WAC, Globally
harmonized system for hazard communication, the employer must label each
immediate container of clothing, equipment, and materials contaminated with
beryllium, and must, at a minimum, include the following on the label:
DANGER
CONTAINS BERYLLIUM
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS
AVOID CREATING DUST
DO NOT GET ON SKIN
(4)
Employee information and
training.
(a) For each employee who
has, or can reasonably be expected to have, airborne exposure to or dermal
contact with beryllium:
(i) The employer must
provide information and training in accordance with chapter 296-901 WAC,
Globally harmonized system for hazard communication;
(ii) The employer must provide initial
training to each employee by the time of initial assignment; and
(iii) The employer must repeat the training
required under this standard annually for each employee.
(b) The employer must ensure that each
employee who is, or can reasonably be expected to be, exposed to airborne
beryllium can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:
(i) The health hazards associated with
airborne exposure to and dermal contact with beryllium, including the signs and
symptoms of CBD;
(ii) The written
exposure control plan, with emphasis on the location(s) of beryllium work
areas, including any regulated areas, and the specific nature of operations
that could result in airborne exposure, especially airborne exposure above the
TWA PEL or STEL;
(iii) The purpose,
proper selection, fitting, proper use, and limitations of personal protective
clothing and equipment, including respirators;
(iv) Applicable emergency
procedures;
(v) Measures employees
can take to protect themselves from airborne exposure to and dermal contact
with beryllium, including personal hygiene practices;
(vi) The purpose and a description of the
medical surveillance program required by WAC
296-850-155 including risks and
benefits of each test to be offered;
(vii) The purpose and a description of the
medical removal protection provided under WAC
296-850-160;
(viii) The contents of the standard;
and
(ix) The employee's right of
access to records under chapter 296-802 WAC, Employee medical and exposure
records.
(c) When a
workplace change (such as modification of equipment, tasks, or procedures)
results in new or increased airborne exposure that exceeds, or can reasonably
be expected to exceed, either the TWA PEL or the STEL, the employer must
provide additional training to those employees affected by the change in
airborne exposure.
(d) Employee
information. The employer must make a copy of this rule and its appendices
readily available at no cost to each employee and designated employee
representative(s).