WSR 17-15-093

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed July 18, 2017, 9:45 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 amendments to the elevator rules (chapter 296-96 WAC) following a formal review of the rules and new safety code requirements from the 2016 edition of the American Society of Mechanic Engineers and other related codes. The elevator program reviews the rules to ensure the rules are consistent with national elevator safety standards and industry practice, to clarify the rules, and for housekeeping changes. The review process provides Washington's elevator stakeholders the opportunity to review the national safety code requirements, submit proposals and provide recommendations to the department regarding adoption of specific sections of the national conveyance safety standards for elevators and escalators, platform lifts and chair lifts, belt man lifts, and personnel hoists. The proposed rules may include amendments to all sections of chapter 296-96 WAC excluding the licensing rules due to rule making in progress.

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.

The department of labor and industries (L&I) is seeking input from interested parties to be used in the formulation of the proposed elevator rules for the 2017 revision cycle. Interested parties may submit rule proposals for additions/revisions to the existing rules and new code requirements from 12:01 a.m., September 1, 2017, to 11:59 p.m. on October 5, 2017. The department is also appointing a general TAC made up of experts and interested group representatives to review and make recommendations on proposals from the elevator industry. Interested parties may submit an application to become a TAC member from August 1 to 25, 2017. For more information on this rule making, visit the 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.

July 18, 2017

Joel Sacks

Director