WSR 17-12-023

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 30, 2017, 11:50 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to the elevator rules, chapter 296-96 WAC, Safety regulations and fees for all elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and other conveyances.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 70.87 RCW, Elevators, lifting devices, and moving walks.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The elevator program is considering adopting permanent rules for temporary limited Category 03 elevator mechanic licenses and reviewing the existing rule requirements for all licensing categories. The elevator program has performed emergency rule making creating a temporary limited Category 03 license to address the shortage of licensed mechanics in the grain industry for the upcoming harvest season. There are more than four hundred conveyances in the grain industry, but not enough licensed elevator mechanics to perform inspections and testing. Failure to perform this work could put workers at risk by riding unsafe conveyances. The temporary limited Category 03 license is restricted to work performed on hand powered manlifts in grain terminals and is needed to help increase the elevator mechanic workforce. The elevator program will be soliciting input from stakeholders in the development of the permanent rules.

In addition, the program is considering other changes to the licensing rules (i.e., chapter 296-96 WAC; Part B—Elevator contractor and conveyance mechanic licenses and regulations and fees) to ensure the rules are consistent with national safety standards, industry practice, to clarify the rules, and for housekeeping changes.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rules and formulation of the proposed rules before publication by contacting the individual listed below. The public can also participate, after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process. All rule proposals will be reviewed by a technical advisory committee (TAC) and the elevator safety advisory committee.

For more information on this rule making, visit the labor and industries (L&I) web site at http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Elevators/LawRules/default.asp or contact the individual below. Interested parties can sign up for email updates at http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/Listservs/Elevators.asp.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Alicia Curry, L&I, Field Services and Public Safety Division, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, phone (360) 902-6244, fax (360) 902-5292, email Alicia.Curry@Lni.wa.gov.

May 30, 2017

Joel Sacks

Director