PDFWAC 296-305-01003

Scope and application.

(1) The rules of this chapter apply with respect to any and all activities, operations and equipment of employers and employees involved in providing fire protection services which are subject to the provisions of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act of 1973 (chapter 49.17 RCW).
(2) The provisions of this chapter apply to all firefighters and their work places, including the fire combat scene. Although enforcement of applicable standards will result from provable violations of these standards at the fire combat scene, agents of the department will not act in any manner that will reduce or interfere with the effectiveness of the emergency response of a firefighting unit. Activities directly related to the combating of a fire will not be subjected to the immediate restraint provisions of RCW 49.17.130.
(3) In the development of this document many consensus standards of the industry were considered and evaluated as to adaptability to the Washington state fire service industry. Where adaptable and meaningful, the firefighter safety elements of these standards were incorporated into this WAC. Chapter 296-305 WAC, must be considered as the firefighter safety standards for the state of Washington.
(4) The provisions of this chapter cover existing requirements that apply to all fire departments. All fire departments must have in place their own policy statement and operating instructions that meet or exceed these requirements. This chapter contains state and/or federal performance criteria that fire departments must meet.
(5) Unless specifically stated otherwise by rule, if a duplication of regulations, or a conflict exists between the rules regulating wildland firefighting and other rules in the chapter, only the rules regulating wildland firefighting will apply to wildland firefighting activities and equipment.
(6) The provisions of this chapter must be supplemented by the provisions of the general safety and health standards of the department of labor and industries. In the event of conflict between any provision(s) of this chapter and any provision(s) of the general safety and health standards, the provision(s) of this chapter must apply.
(7) Industrial fire brigades are covered under the provisions of chapter 296-811 WAC, Fire brigades.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-305-01003, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 29 C.F.R. 1910.156, Fire brigades. WSR 13-05-070, § 296-305-01003, filed 2/19/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 06-01-073, § 296-305-01003, filed 12/20/05, effective 3/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-038, § 296-305-01003, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. WSR 99-05-080, § 296-305-01003, filed 2/17/99, effective 6/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. WSR 96-11-067, § 296-305-01003, filed 5/10/96, effective 1/1/97.]