WAC 296-863-300 Inspection, Repair, Maintenance, and Servicing

For printing

Your Responsibility

To make sure PITs are kept in safe condition and properly serviced

You must

WAC 296-863-30005

Make sure PITs are in safe working condition

You must

• Remove any PIT from service that's not in safe operating condition.
• Immediately remove PITs from service that have any of the following problems, and don't return them to service until the cause of the problem has been eliminated:
  • - A leak in the fuel system.
  • - A clogged water muffler screen or other muffler part.
  • - An exhaust system that's emitting hazardous sparks or flames.
  • - A part that's hotter than its normal operating temperature thus creating a hazardous condition.

WAC 296-863-30010

Inspect your PITs

You must

• Inspect PITs according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Inspect PITs at these times:
  • - Daily before being put into service
    and
  • - After each shift, if the PIT is used on a continuous (24-hour) basis.

You must

• Report and correct any deficiencies noted during the inspection.

WAC 296-863-30015

Meet these requirements when repairing PITs

You must

• Make sure repairs are made by authorized persons.
• Make sure replacement parts are equivalent to the parts used in the original design.
• Make sure repairs aren't made in Class I, II, or III locations. See
  Tables 1, 2, and 3 for more information.

You must

• Make sure fuel and ignition system repairs that involve fire hazards are made only in locations designated for such repairs.
• Disconnect the battery before starting repairs to a PIT electrical system.
• Close the fuel container shutoff valve before repairing an LP-gas fueled PIT in a garage.

Exemption: The container shutoff valve may be left open if it's necessary to run the engine.

WAC 296-863-30020

Maintain your PITs properly

You must

• Maintain PITs according to this chapter and the manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep PITs:
  • - Clean
  • - Free of excess lint, oil, and grease.

• Take appropriate precautions to protect employees from the hazards associated with the cleaning agents or solvents used.
  • - Precautions could include methods such as ventilation.
• Make sure solvents used for cleaning PITs have a flash point of 100° F or more.

WAC 296-863-30025

Service gasoline fueled PITs safely

You must

• Handle and store liquid fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel, according to the National Fire Protection Association Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA No. 30-1996).

You must

• Stop the engine before filling a fuel tank.
• Avoid spilling fuel during servicing.
• Make sure you do not use open flames to check the gasoline level in fuel tanks.
• Do the following before restarting the engine after fueling:
  • - Put on the fuel tank cap.
  • - Make sure spilled oil or fuel is completely washed away or evaporated.

WAC 296-863-30030

Service liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fueled PITs safely

You must

• Handle and store liquefied petroleum gas fuel according to the National Fire Protection Association Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (NFPA No. 58-1998).
• Shut down the engine while fueling.
• Fuel PITs equipped with permanently mounted fuel containers outdoors.
• Make sure filling fuel containers from industrial bulk storage containers is done at least:
• - 10 feet from the nearest masonry-walled building
• - 25 feet from the nearest building or other construction
• - 25 feet from any building opening.
• Make sure PITs are stored or serviced inside garages only when:
  • - There are no leaks in the fuel system
    and
  • - The fuel tanks aren't filled beyond the maximum filling density specified in WAC 296-24-47505(12)(a), Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases.

WAC 296-863-30035

Make sure battery charging areas are safe

You must

• Make sure battery charging areas are designated and provided with all of the following:
  • - Means to flush and neutralize spilled electrolyte
  • - Fire protection
  • - Ventilation that's adequate to disperse fumes from gassing batteries.
• Prohibit smoking in battery charging areas.
• Take precautions to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas.
• Protect battery charging equipment from being damaged by PITs.
• Provide at least one of the following to handle batteries:
  • - Conveyor
  • - Overhead hoist
  • - Other equivalent material handling equipment.

WAC 296-863-30040

Service batteries for electric PITs safely

You must

• Make sure PITs are properly positioned with the brake on before charging or changing batteries.
• Make sure you do not use open flames to check the electrolyte level in storage batteries.
• Do the following when charging batteries:
  • - Make sure vent caps are functioning
  • - Open the battery or compartment covers to dissipate heat
  • - Pour acid into water, never pour water into acid.
• Provide a carboy tilter or siphon to handle electrolyte.
• Keep tools and other metallic objects away from the top of uncovered batteries.
• Make sure reinstalled batteries are properly positioned and secured.