Wash. Admin. Code § 296-843-11005

Current through Register Vol. 24-17, September 1, 2024
Section 296-843-11005 - Complete a preliminary site evaluation before allowing employees to enter the site

You must complete a preliminary site evaluation by doing all the following:

Collect or develop the following information to the extent available:

* The site location and approximate size

* A description of the response activity and the job tasks to be performed

* The time needed to cover all planned activities

* The site's topography and all ways to access the site

* The current status and capabilities of any emergency response team assisting during an emergency

* The safety and health hazards expected at the site

* The hazardous substances and health hazards at the site, including their chemical and physical properties

* All hazardous substance dispersion pathways

* An emergency response plan

Have a qualified person evaluate the preliminary site information to identify:

* Potential site hazards and risks

* The most appropriate methods to protect employees

* Conditions that have the potential to cause death or serious harm, including potential inhalation or skin absorption hazards that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)

- Examples include:

* Confined space entry

* Potentially explosive or flammable environments

* Visible vapor clouds

* Areas where plants or animals have died

* Risks related to specific on-site hazardous substances and health hazards

- Examples include:

* Exposures exceeding the permissible exposure limits (PELs) or published exposure levels

* IDLH concentrations

* Potential skin absorption and irritation sources

* Potential eye irritation sources

* Explosion sensitivity and flammability ranges

* Oxygen deficient atmospheres

Have a qualified person prepare an initial site characterization and analysis for the site to:

* Identify known and suspected health and safety hazards for the site

* Aid in selecting control methods to protect employees from site hazards

* Brief employees on site conditions before any work starts

* Initiate the site-specific health and safety plan (HASP)

Note: Characterization and analysis of site hazards is an ongoing process for work on the hazardous waste site.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-843-11005

Amended by WSR 18-22-116, Filed 11/6/2018, effective 12/7/2018

Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-02-053, § 296-843-11005, filed 1/5/04, effective 5/1/04.