PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Miscellaneous changes to chapters 296-24, 296-62, 296-155, 296-32, 296-52, and 296-301 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.17.040.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: On June 18, 1998, OSHA adopted miscellaneous changes to a number of federal rules within 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 (General Industry and Construction Standards). WISHA is reviewing standards related to these chapters to be at least as effective as OSHA, assure appropriate worker protection throughout the state and improve the clarity of these rules. Washington Administrative Codes that are affected (but not limited to) include chapter 296-24 WAC, General safety and health standards, chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards, chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety standards for construction work, chapter 296-32 WAC, Telecommunications, chapter 296-52 WAC, Possession and handling of explosives, and chapter 296-301 WAC, Textile industry.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: OSHA is the only other agency regulating this subject.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department must adopt rules that are at least as effective as OSHA rules as required by the OSHA/WISHA state plan agreement. Amendments will be proposed in response to the Federal Register notice, Volume 63, Number 117, published on June 18, 1998, (Standards Improvement (Miscellaneous Changes) for General Industry and Construction Standards; Paperwork Collection for Coke Oven Emissions and Inorganic Arsenic, Final Rule).
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jennie Hays, WISHA Standards Project Manager, Department of Labor and Industries, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, phone (360) 902-5523.
January 20, 1999
Gary Moore
Director