(1) Except as noted in WAC 296-304-13001 and 296-304-15001(8), the requirements set forth in WAC 296-304-160 through 296-304-16025 and 296-304-170 through 296-304-17023 must be strictly adhered to in all testing, examinations, inspections and heat treatments.

(2) Supervision of all testing, examinations, inspections, and heat treatments must be carried out only by such persons as are listed in the application for accreditation or subsequent supplements thereto, submitted pursuant to this section.

(3) The certificates issued by an accredited person must be signed and all register entries made only by an authorized agent of such accredited person. No certification must be issued until any deficiencies considered by the accredited person to constitute a currently unsatisfactory condition have been corrected. Replacement parts must be of equal or better quality as original equipment and suitable for the purpose. In the event deficiencies remain uncorrected and no certification may therefore be issued, the accredited person must inform the nearest district office of the department of labor and industries of the circumstances.

(4) Dynamometers or other recording test equipment owned by an accredited person must have been tested for accuracy within the six months next preceding application for accreditation or renewal of same. Such test must be performed with calibrating equipment which has been checked in turn so that indications are traceable to the U.S. Bureau of Standards. A copy of test reports must accompany the application. Where test equipment is not the property of the accredited person, that person must not issue any certificate based upon the use of such equipment unless its owner has made available a certificate of accuracy based on the requirements of this section, obtained within 1 year prior to such use, and stating the errors of the equipment. Reasonable standards of accuracy must be met and proof loads adjusted as necessary.

(5) An accredited person must, upon request, provide the nearest local office of the department of labor and industries with advance information as to scheduled testing or of such other functions as are performed and facilitate the department of labor and industries observation of any such activities as it may desire to witness: Provided, however, That tests need not be delayed, except when specifically requested by the department of labor and industries under unusual circumstances.

(6) All cargo gear registers or certificates issued by an accredited person must be made on forms prescribed or approved by the department of labor and industries.

(7) Unless otherwise instructed by the director in specific instances, any person accredited under WAC 296-304-14007(1) must accept certificates relating to loose gear or wire rope tests or to heat treatments which are issued by the manufacturer of the gear concerned, by another person accredited specifically by the director for this purpose, or by any other person whose certificates are acceptable to the department of labor and industries. Such certificates must either be attached as a part of the vessel's certification or must be used as the basis for the issuance of the accredited person's own loose gear, wire rope, or heat treatment certificates. In the latter case, the original certificates must be kept on file by the accredited person as part of the permanent record of the vessel concerned.

(8) In case of practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships, the director in his discretion may grant exemptions from any provision of WAC 296-304-150 through 296-304-15005, 296-304-160 through 296-304-16025 and 296-304-170 through 296-304-17023.