Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards; and chapter 296-841 WAC, Respiratory hazards.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The respiratory protection rule is being rewritten and reorganized for clarity and ease of use for employers and employees. This rule making is part of our clear rule-writing initiative to rewrite for clarity all the safety and health rules. Requirements are being clarified from two different sections of our current rules, WAC 296-62-071 Respirators and 296-62-075 Air contaminants. These requirements are being brought together in one chapter and reorganized and clarified as chapter 296-841 WAC, Respiratory hazards.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state or federal agencies (other than OSHA are known that regulate this subject.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in the formulation of these rules for proposal may contact the individuals listed below. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments or giving oral testimony during the public hearing process.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kimberly Johnson, Project Manager, Department of Labor and Industries, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, phone (360) 902-5008, fax (360) 902-5529.

April 1, 2003

Paul Trause

Director

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office