Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-45 WAC, Safety standards for electrical workers.

     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 department is working to update and clarify safety requirements in chapter 296-45 WAC, Safety standards for electrical workers, that relate to electrical work with helicopter assistance. Stakeholders asked the department to work with them to update the safety standard. The department intends to work closely with stakeholders to ensure electrical worker safety when they are working with the assistance of helicopters.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates helicopter safety. The department will coordinate with OSHA to ensure our rules are as-effective-as OSHA's. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also regulates helicopter safety; however, the FAA's focus is on pilot safety and operation of the aircraft. The department's rule will primarily focus on electrical workers who work on high voltage wires with the assistance of helicopters.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in the formulation of these rules for proposal may contact the individual 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 Devin Proctor, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, phone (360) 902-5541, e-mail devin.proctor@lni.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-5619.

March 5, 2013

Joel Sacks

Director