PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-46B WAC, Electrical safety standards, administration, and installation.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 19.28 RCW, Electricians and electrical installations.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department plans to review the electrical rules for technical and administrative additions or revisions. The electrical rules are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the rules are consistent with the national consensus standards and industry practice, to clarify the rules, and for possible housekeeping changes.
The rule making will:
• Adopt the 2011 National Electrical Code and other
recently upgraded codes;
• Make technical code changes to align Washington electrical installation requirements with the National Electrical Code;
• Amend administrative language for electrical trainee classroom experience to incorporate 2010 legislation;
• Incorporate technical and administrative proposals from internal and external stakeholders; and
• Make technical reference corrections.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in these rules may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process. Public hearings will be held after the proposal is filed.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Sally Elliott, Department of Labor and Industries, Specialty Compliance Services Division, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, phone (360) 902-6411, fax (360) 902-5292, e-mail yous235@lni.wa.gov.
September 21, 2010
Judy Schurke
Director