Notice to the Public

EXPEDITED ADOPTION PROPOSAL

Electrical

Chapter 296-45 WAC, Safety Standards for Electrical Workers

The Department of Labor and Industries is proposing to adopt amended industrial safety and health rules by the Expedited Adoption process.

This rule is being proposed for adoption using an expedited rule-making process; this will eliminate the need for the agency to hold public hearings, prepare a small business economic impact statement, or provide responses to the criteria for a significant legislative rule.

If you object to this rule being adopted using the expedited rule-making process, you must express your objections in writing and they must be sent to:

Carmen Moore
Department of Labor and Industries
PO Box 44001
Olympia WA 98504-4001

Objections may also be faxed (10 pages or less) to 360.902.4202.

OBJECTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN: May 24, 2005

The rules are proposed under the authority granted by RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. A summary of the proposed rules follows:

Proposed wording for chapter 296-45 WAC, Electrical

Chapter 296-45 WAC, Safety Standards for Electrical Workers

The purpose of this proposal is to be at least as effective as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The department received letters from OSHA indicating that we were not as effective as the federal requirements relating to the electrical standard, chapter 296-45 WAC.

AMENDED SECTIONS:

WAC 296-45-25510, Fall Protection.

• Add a new subsection (2) relating to specific requirements about lineman’s belts, safety straps and lanyards.

WAC 296-45-315, Materials handling and storage.

• Add a new paragraph (d) in subsection (4) relating to pole handling and framing operations.

WAC 296-45-325, Working on or near exposed energized parts.

• Add language in paragraph (3) relating to qualified employees positioning themselves so that he/she is neither within reach of nor otherwise exposed to contact with energized parts.

WAC 296-45-385, Overhead lines.

• Revise language in paragraph (d) of subsection (2) relating to installing and removing overhead lines.
• Add a new paragraph (h) in subsection (2) relating to each pull being snubbed or dead ended.
• Add a new paragraph (d) in subsection (13) relating to towers and structures.
• Add a new paragraph (e) in subsection (13) relating to towers and structures.
• Add a new subsection (14) relating to conductors, subconductors, and overhead ground conductors being bonded to a tower.
• Renumbered current subsections (14), (15) and (16) to subsections (15), (16) and (17) because of the new subsection (14) mentioned above.

WAC 296-45-475, Substations.

• Add a new paragraph (d) in subsection (1) relating to access and working space.
• Revise language in subsection (3) relating to substation fences.

Details of specific proposed amendments were published in Washington State Register 05-07 on April 6, 2005. The tentative adoption date for these rules is May 31, 2005 and the tentative effective date is July 1, 2005.

Additional copies of the rule change proposal are available upon request by calling toll free 1-800-423-7233 or (360) 902-5522 or by written request to the Department of Labor and Industries, WISHA Services Division, Standards Section, Post Office Box 44620, Olympia, Washington 98504-4620.