WSR 24-15-126
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed July 23, 2024, 2:21 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-800 WAC, Safety and health core rules.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The division of occupational safety and health (DOSH) intends to conduct rule making for chapter 296-800 WAC, Safety and health core rules.
DOSH is initiating this rule making to remove confusing and unnecessary language as well as update where necessary to align with the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Washington state rules.
In addition, this rule making intends to consider updates for WAC 296-800-13020 in response to a petition the department of labor and industries (L&I) received regarding the length of the term a safety committee member may serve, and address housekeeping and formatting issues.
This rule making may include other changes related to workplace safety.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: In order to maintain state plan status, DOSH rules must be as "effective as" OSHA regulations. Upon adoption, L&I will submit the adopted amendments to OSHA for approval.
Process for Developing New Rule: DOSH will conduct stakeholder meetings to allow those affected by the rule to provide input to this rule preproposal. Parties interested in the formulation of these rules may contact the individual listed below. After L&I proposes amendments, the public may also participate by giving oral testimony or submitting written comments 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 Cathy Coates, Administrative Regulations Analyst, L&I, DOSH, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, phone 360-902-5432, fax 360-902-5619, email Cathy.Coates@Lni.wa.gov.
Additional comments: For more information on L&I rule making, visit L&I's Rulemaking Activity web page at https://www.lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/.
July 23, 2024
Joel Sacks
Director