Subject of Possible Rule Making: Powered industrial trucks (forklifts), chapters 296-24, 296-54, 296-56, 296-78, 296-79, 296-155, 296-305, and 296-307 WAC.

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

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Department of Labor and Industries is rewriting the powered industrial trucks (forklifts) rules for clarity and ease of use. This rule making is part of the initiative to rewrite chapters 296-24 and 296-62 WAC. The powered industrial trucks (forklifts) rule will be assigned its own 800 series chapter number. It will then be repealed from chapter 296-24 WAC. The rewrite will eliminate unnecessary and autocratic terminology. No increase in requirements is anticipated. References will be updated in other chapters when necessary.

     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: The department must adopt rules identical to or at-least-as-effective-as OSHA rules as required by the OSHA/WISHA state plan agreement. 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 Jim Hughes, Project Manager, Department of Labor and Industries, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, e-mail hugw235@lni.wa.gov, phone (360) 902-4504, fax (360) 902-5529.

May 6, 2003

Paul Trause

Director

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