Wash. Admin. Code § 296-79-020

Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024

Section 296-79-020 - General requirements

(1) Housekeeping.

Floors must be kept reasonably clear of spilled or leaking oil, grease, water, broke, etc., that may cause slipping, tripping or falling. Nonskid type surfacing must be installed in vehicular or pedestrian traffic areas where slipping hazards otherwise would exist.

(a) In areas where it is not possible to keep the floor free of materials which cause a slipping hazard, mats, cleats, or other suitable materials which will effectively minimize or eliminate the hazard must be installed.

(b) Hoses, cords, slings or similar items or equipment must be stored in such a manner that they will not create a hazard.

(2) Storage and transportation of materials. Materials, objects or equipment must be stored or transported by methods which will prevent them from falling, tipping or rolling.

(3) Warning of open manholes or excavations must be in accordance with chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fall protection. Open manholes or excavations must be:

(a) Roped off, barricaded, or adequately safeguarded when located in or adjacent to walkways, aisleways, or roadways.

(b) Provided with warning lights or lanterns during periods of darkness or reduced visibility.

(4) Training. Employees must receive proper instruction and be familiar with safe operating procedures:

(a) Before they supervise the operation, or make adjustments to any machine or equipment.

(b) To be able to cope with emergencies arising from breaks, ruptures, or spills which would create a hazardous condition.

(c) For lifting and moving objects. Mechanical devices should be used or employees should ask for assistance in lifting or moving heavy objects.

(d) On prompt reporting of any faulty equipment or hazardous condition to the person in charge.

(5) Working alone. When an employee is assigned to work alone in a remote or isolated area, procedures must be developed to ensure:

(a) That the employee reports by use of radio or telephone to someone periodically; or

(b) That at reasonable intervals a designated person must check on the employee; and

(c) That all persons involved in working alone are advised of the procedures to be followed.

(6) Exits from hazardous areas. Where physically and reasonably possible, there must be at least two unobstructed exits from any hazardous area. Such exits should be on opposite walls.

(7) Safe work area. Sufficient clearance must be maintained between machines to allow employees a safe work area.

(8) Protection from overhead hazard. Warning signs/devices must be:

(a) Placed in conspicuous locations below areas where overhead work is being done; and

(b) Removed promptly when work is completed and the overhead hazard no longer exists.

(9) Welding areas protected.

(a) Areas in which welding is being done must be screened or barricaded to protect persons from flash burns, when practical.

(b) If the welding process cannot be isolated, all persons who may be exposed to the hazard of arc flash must be properly protected.

(10) Testing safety devices. Brakes, back stops, anti-runaway devices, overload releases, emergency stops, and other safety devices must be inspected and tested frequently to ensure that all are operative and maintained in good repair.

(11) Starting and stopping devices.

(a) Electrically or manually operated power starting or stopping devices must be provided within easy reach of the operator from the normal operating position.

(b) If necessary for safety of the operation, the machine must be so equipped that retarding or braking action can be applied at the time of or after the source of power is deactivated.

(12) Interlocks:

(a) Interlocks that affect the safety of employees must not be bypassed except where you demonstrate alternate procedures or devices that provide a level of safety for employees equivalent to those provided by the safety interlock. Interlocks are considered to be bypassed anytime the designed control strategy is bypassed by means including, but not limited to, a temporary wiring change, physical interference or a temporary software change of "force."

(b) Prior to bypassing a safety interlock you must:

(i) Develop a written procedure detailing how the bypass will be accomplished and the alternate means of protecting employees;

(ii) Inform affected employees of all pertinent information including at a minimum the reason for the change, the date of the change, who is responsible for the change, and approximately how long the change will be in effect; and

(c) Post appropriate warning of the change on the equipment or area.

(13) Designing control systems. You must ensure that all control systems are designed to:

(a) Ensure that the system does not create an unsafe state that endangers personnel;

(b) Ensure that when control systems fail, the equipment being controlled fails to a safe state; and

(c) Have an independent method to safely stop the process or equipment, such as a hardwired emergency stop button or other controls that deenergize the system, or independent methods to force the system to a safe state.

(14) Compressed air.

(a) Compressed air must not be used for cleaning clothing that is being worn, or if it will endanger persons in the area.

(b) Sections of high pressure air hoses must be properly coupled and have safety chains or equivalent safety device attached between the sections (30 psi or more is high pressure air).

(15) Punch bars. Open pipes must not be used as punch bars if the use would create a hazard.

(16) Saw table limit stop or extension. Employees must be protected from contact with the front edge of a circular saw by:

(a) A limit stop which will prevent the forward swing of the cutting edge from extending beyond the edge of the table; or

(b) Installation of a table extension.

(17) Powder-actuated tools.

(a) Powder-actuated tool design, construction, operation and use must comply with all requirements specified in "safety requirements for powder actuated fastening systems," (see chapter 296-24 WAC, Part H-1).

(b) A careful check must be made to ensure that no cartridges or charges are left where they could enter equipment or be accidentally discharged in any area where they could create a fire or explosion hazard.

(18) Ladders required on waterfront docks. You must ensure that either permanent ladders or portable ladders:

(a) Are readily available for emergency use on all waterfront docks;

(b) Extend from the face of the dock to the water line at its lowest elevation;

(c) Are installed at intervals not to exceed 400 feet;

(d) Are noticeable by painting the dock area immediately adjacent to the ladder with a bright color which contrasts with the surrounding area; and

(e) Have been secured with a suitable method.

Note:

When working on or around water also see WAC 296-800-160.

(19) Prevent overhang while removing materials. Extreme care must be taken to prevent material from creating an overhang while removing the materials from piles or bins.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-79-020

Amended by WSR 17-16-132, Filed 8/1/2017, effective 9/1/2017

Amended by WSR 20-12-091, Filed 6/2/2020, effective 10/1/2020

Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, and 49.17.050. 01-11-038, § 296-79-020, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01; 99-16-083, § 296-79-020, filed 8/3/99, effective 11/3/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 82-13-045 (Order 82-22), § 296-79-020, filed 6/11/82; Order 77-12, § 296-79-020, filed 7/11/77; Order 74-24, § 296-79-020, filed 5/6/74; Order 70-6, § 296-79-020, filed 7/10/70, effective 8/10/70.