Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-817 WAC, Hearing loss prevention (noise).

     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 reviewing language in the hearing loss prevention (noise) rule, chapter 296-817 WAC, to clarify technical requirements, reformat the rule under current agency guidelines, and update language for consistency with industry standards.

     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, Project Manager, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, (360) 902-5522, fax (360) 902-5529.

February 6, 2007

Judy Schurke

Acting Director

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