PDFWAC 296-307-20510

Switches and controls on portable powered tools.

(1) The following powered tools must have a constant pressure switch or control that will shut off the power when the pressure is released:
(a) All hand-held powered circular saws with a blade diameter-greater than 2 inches;
(b) Electric, hydraulic or pneumatic chain saws; and
(c) Percussion tools without positive accessory holding means.
All hand-held gasoline powered chain saws must have a constant pressure throttle control that will shut off the power to the saw chain when the pressure is released.
(2) The following powered tools must have a constant pressure switch or control:
(a) All hand-held powered drills, tappers, fastener drivers, and horizontal, vertical, and angle grinders with wheels greater than 2 inches in diameter;
(b) Disc sanders with discs greater than 2 inches in diameter;
(c) Belt sanders;
(d) Reciprocating saws;
(e) Saber, scroll, and jig saws with blade shanks greater than a nominal 1/4 inch; and
(f) Other similarly operating powered tools.
These tools may have a lock-on control if they can be turned off by a single motion of the same finger or fingers that turn it on.
(3) The following powered tools must have either a positive on-off control, or other controls as described above:
(a) All other hand-held powered tools, including:
(b) Platen sanders;
(c) Grinders with wheels 2 inches in diameter or less;
(d) Disc sanders with discs 2 inches in diameter or less;
(e) Routers;
(f) Planers;
(g) Laminate trimmers;
(h) Nibblers;
(i) Shears; and
(j) Saber, scroll, and jig saws with blade shanks a nominal 1/4 inch wide or less.
(i) Saber, scroll, and jig saws with nonstandard blade holders may use blades with shanks that are nonuniform in width, if the narrowest portion of the blade shank is an integral part in mounting the blade.
(ii) Blade shank width must be measured at the narrowest portion of the blade shank when saber, scroll, and jig saws have nonstandard blade holders.
(iii) "Nominal" in this section means +0.05 inch.
(4) The operating control on hand-held power tools must be located to minimize the possibility of accidental operation that would constitute a hazard to employees.
Exception:
This section does not apply to concrete vibrators, concrete breakers, powered tampers, jack hammers, rock drills, garden appliances, household and kitchen appliances, personal care appliances, or to fixed machinery.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-20510, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-20510, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-20510, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]