PDFWAC 296-307-22012

Walk-behind rotary mowers.

(1) The horizontal angle of the grass discharge opening(s) in the blade enclosure must not contact the operator area.
(2) There must be one of the following at all grass discharge openings:
(a) A minimum of 3 inches between the end of the discharge chute and the blade tip circle; or
(b) A rigid bar fastened across the discharge opening, secured to prevent removal without the use of tools. The bottom of the bar must be no higher than the bottom edge of the blade enclosure.
(3) The highest point(s) on the blade enclosure front, except discharge-openings, must be a maximum of 1-1/4 inches above the lowest blade position. Mowers with a swingover handle are considered to have no front in the blade enclosure and therefore must comply with WAC 296-307-22009(1).
(4) The mower handle must be fastened to the mower to prevent loss of control by unintentional uncoupling while in operation.
(5) Mower handles must be locked in the normal operating position(s) so that they cannot be accidentally disengaged during normal mower operation.
(6) A swingover handle must meet the requirements of this section.
(7) Wheel drive disengaging controls, except deadman controls, must move opposite to the direction of the vehicle motion in order to disengage the drive. Deadman controls may operate in any direction to disengage the drive.
(8) The employer must ensure that each walk-behind rotary mower has a positive constant-pressure device that requires the operator to hold the device in the "on" position to operate the mower. Using rope or string or other material to tie the constant pressure device in the "on" position is prohibited.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-22012, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. WSR 98-24-096, § 296-307-22012, filed 12/1/98, effective 3/1/99. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-22012, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-22012, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]