WSR 97-11-051

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed May 20, 1997, 10:50 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, WAC 296-24-205 through 296-24-20533.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050, [49.17.]060.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current rules are technologically outdated and confusing. In a cooperative project with federal OSHA, the department proposes to consolidate similar requirements, clarify current enforcement practice, and ensure that the rule is relevant for current technology by rewriting the requirements using clear rule-writing techniques.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal OSHA also regulates this subject. The department will work directly with federal rulemakers to develop one set of rules that will be adopted at both the state and the federal level. This will ensure that we maintain "at-least-as-effective-as" status for these rules.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will hold meetings with affected customers. The department will conduct public hearings and receive oral and written testimony to arrive at a balanced rule.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tracy Spencer, Standards Manager, Standards, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, office phone (360) 902-5530, FAX (360) 902-5529.

May 20, 1997

Gary Moore

Director