Subject of Possible Rule Making: Portable ladders, chapter 296-24 WAC, Safety standards for general safety and health; chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety standards for construction; chapter 296-800 WAC, Safety and health core rules. In addition, several reference changes will need to be updated throughout the chapters.

     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 proposing to rewrite and clarify requirements relating to portable ladders. The department is repealing the rule in chapters 296-24, 296-155, and 296-800 WAC and proposing portable ladders as a new chapter. This rule making is part of our goal to rewrite all of WISHA's general occupational safety and health rules for clarity. References will also be updated through other WISHA rules.

     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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (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 Cindy Ireland, Safety and Health Specialist, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, (360) 902-5522, fax (360) 902-5529, e-mail Mooc235@lni.wa.gov.

April 5, 2005

Judy Schurke

Acting Director

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