PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Safety and health investment projects; chapter 296-900 WAC, Administrative rules; and chapter 296-800 WAC, Safety and health core rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and chapter 522, Laws of 2007.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: During the 2007 regular legislative session, the legislature passed SHB 1128, section 218, authorizing appropriations for the department of labor and industries. This section included a condition under subsection (4) as follows: "$8,000,000 of the medical aid account -- state appropriation is provided solely to establish a program of safety and health as authorized by RCW 49.17.210 to be administered under rules adopted pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, provided that projects funded involve workplaces insured by the medical aid fund, and that priority is given to projects fostering accident prevention through cooperation between employers and employees or their representatives." The purpose of this rule making is to promulgate rules in accordance with this direction from the legislature.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state or federal agencies are known to regulate this subject.
Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in 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 Jill Saibel, Administrative Regulations Analyst, Department of Labor and Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, phone (360) 902-4519, fax (360) 902-5619, e-mail saij235@lni.wa.gov.
July 5, 2007
Judy Schurke
Director