Or. Admin. R. 437-002-0299

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 6, June 1, 2024

Section 437-002-0299 - Definitions

(1) Terms used in Division 2/Q

(a) Approved: listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL). Note: 1910.7 has NRTL requirements.

(b) Coated steels: include metal coated to provide a protective covering such as to prevent rusting or to shield the metal from chemicals. Protective coatings can contain chromium, lead, tin, zinc or other potentially hazardous materials. During hot work, the coatings can give off fumes, smoke, or dust. Welders must know what a coating can give off when heated or burned. This information is available on the manufacturers' Safety Data Sheets. Permissible Exposure Limits for these materials must not be exceeded.

(c) Competent person: a person capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the work environment which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees; and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards.

(d) Confined space: As defined in OAR 437-002-0146, a space that meets all of the following:

(A) Large enough and so configured that an employee can fully enter the space and perform work.

(B) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit.

(C) Is not designed for continuous human occupancy.

(e) Feasible: In this context, something that is possible or capable of being done and that effectively accomplishes the goal of protecting employees.

(f) Hot work activities: include welding, torch-cutting, brazing and any similar activity that produces heat or a source of ignition.

(g) Toxic substance or harmful physical agent: As defined in 1910.1020, any chemical substance, biological agent (bacteria, virus, fungus, etc.), or physical stress (noise, heat, cold, vibration, repetitive motion, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, hypo- or hyperbaric pressure, etc.) which:

(A) Is listed in the latest printed edition of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS); or

(B) Has yielded positive evidence of an acute or chronic health hazard in testing conducted by, or known to, the employer; or

(C) Is the subject of a safety data sheet kept by or known to the employer indicating that the material may pose a hazard to human health.

(2) Welding, cutting or grinding tasks reference in Table OR Q-2:

(a) Carbon Arcing - or carbon gouging -- is an arc cutting process in which metals to be cut are melted by the heat of the carbon arc and the molten metal is removed by a blast of air.

(b) Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) -- or FCA or MIG flux core welding -- is an automatic or semi-automatic arc welding process requiring a continuously fed consumable tubular electrode containing a flux. (Shielding gas is often not needed; but a constant welding current or power supply is required.)

(c) Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) - or MIG Solid Wire uses a spooled, solid steel wire fed through a welding lead to the welding gun.

(d) Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) -- or Tungsten Inert Gas -- TIG Welding (also called "Heliarc" welding) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld and an inert gas to shield the weld from the atmosphere.

(e) Grinding tasks directly related to the welding process include the preparation of metal surfaces such as the removal of coatings, rust, or oxidation; and beveling or otherwise reducing the thickness at the edge of the metal to be joined by welding.

(f) Hand-held means any welding or cutting process where the torch or electrode holder is manipulated by hand.

(g) Torch cutting includes heating the metal with a torch flame until it is red, then using a blast trigger to deliver a higher concentration of oxygen that forces the molten metal away, creating a cut.

(h) Plasma Cutting uses a high-intensity plasma arc to melt a very narrow area that pushes through the work piece and removes the molten metal.

(i) Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) - also called "stick" welding -- uses a stick-type electrode core covered by chemical or metallic materials that provide shielding from surrounding air to complete an electrical circuit. Typically, a holder keeps the electrode at a chosen angle.

(3) Notes about the recommended "Standard order for atmospheric testing" in a confined or other enclosed space:

(a) Before workers are allowed to enter confined and enclosed spaces, and at sufficient intervals to ensure safe conditions, a person competent in the use of atmospheric testing equipment may be required to test the atmosphere.

(b) The following is considered the standard order of testing and provides guidelines for ranges of concentration that are recognized as safe:

(A) Oxygen. To support life, Oxygen content levels must be maintained at or above 19.5% and below 22.0% by volume. (Above 22.0% by volume is an "oxygen-enriched atmosphere with additional safety hazards for fire and explosion.) If an oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched atmosphere is found, ventilation must be provided at volumes and flow rates sufficient to restore oxygen content to the safe range.

(B) Flammable gases/ vapors. The concentration of flammable gasses or vapors must be maintained below 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).

(C) Toxic vapors. The types of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes present will depend on the types of materials being worked on and worked with. These air contaminants must be maintained below the OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs). If there is no established OSHA PEL, the levels must be maintained below the NIOSH immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) level. Local exhaust ventilation can remove these contaminants at their source while general exhaust ventilation -- provided at sufficient volumes and flow rates -- can restore concentrations to safe levels.

Or. Admin. R. 437-002-0299

OSHA 11-2021, adopt filed 09/01/2021, effective 9/1/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 654.025(2), 654.035, 656.726(4)

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295