You have two years from October 01, 2002, (the effective date of this rule), to comply with the construction requirements of this section, unless the department determines during an inspection that your walkways create a serious safety hazard. If you are not sure a serious safety hazard exists in your workplace, you can request a free consultation from the department by calling your local L&I office.

(1) You must build walkways in rail yard areas where employees regularly work on the ground.

(2) You must construct rail yard walkways that can be maintained in a safe condition:

(a) With reasonably smooth walking surfaces.

(b) That will not interfere with track drainage.

(3) You must use any of the following materials when constructing your walkway:

(a) Crushed material that does not exceed 1 1/2 inches in size. For this rule, "1 1/2 inches in size" means one of the following (percentages refer to weight measurement and sieve size standard in the industry):

(b) Smaller crushed material is preferred and should be used where drainage and durability is not an issue. Crushed material that is 3/4 inch or less in size is recommended for switching leads in yards.

(c) Asphalt, concrete, planking, grating, or other similar material.

(d) Natural materials such as gravel or dirt.

(4) You must construct walkways wide enough for employees to safely perform their duties.

(5) You must construct walkways with a grade or slope in any direction with not more than one inch of elevation for each eight inches of horizontal length, unless it is geographically impractical.

(6) You must keep all walkways clear of vegetation, debris, mud, or other obstructions that create a potential hazard for employees.

(7) You must remove all standing water from all walkways as soon as reasonably possible.

(8) You must reopen walkways temporarily closed for a construction project within thirty days after the project is completed.

(9) You must repair walkways that have been damaged and temporarily closed because of an emergency within thirty days after the emergency ends.

(10) You must obtain a department variance before permanently removing any bridge or trestle walkway from use after October 1, 2002 (the effective date of this rule).