PERMANENT RULES
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2010.
Purpose: Division of occupational safety and health (DOSH) believes that the revisions made to the acetylene standard by this adoption does not compromise the safety of employees, and instead enhances employee protection. For example, the updated acetylene standard includes mandatory requirements for acetylene piping systems, has special requirements for high-pressure piping systems, and prohibits storage of acetylene cylinders in confined spaces - requirements that are not included in the current standards developing organizations (SDO) standards. The updated SDO standards also provide employers with new and more extensive information than the current standards, which should facilitate compliance.
The revisions have made the requirements of DOSH's acetylene standard consistent with current industry practices, thereby eliminating confusion and clarifying employer obligations. Eliminating confusion and clarifying employer obligations should increase employee safety while reducing compliance costs.
The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) published several editions of these SDO standards after we adopted them in 1973, and one of these standards (i.e., Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1.4-1966), is no longer available for purchase from CGA. Therefore, to ensure that employers have access to the latest safety requirements for managing acetylene, this rule making is adopting the requirements specified in the most recent versions of the SDO standards.
WAC 296-24-31001 Cylinders.
• Updated the compressed gas association pamphlet reference.
WAC 296-24-31003 Piped systems.
• Updated references relating to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and CGA.
• Added language to allow compliance with earlier additions if applicable.
WAC 296-24-31005 Generators and filling cylinders.
• Updated references relating to the NFPA.
• Added language to allow compliance with earlier
additions if applicable.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 296-24-31001 Cylinders, 296-24-31003 Piped systems, and 296-24-31005 Generators and filling cylnders [cylinders].
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060.
Other Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 10-02-105 on January 6, 2010.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: April 20, 2010.
Judy Schurke
Director
OTS-2846.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 73-5, filed 5/9/73)
WAC 296-24-31001
Cylinders.
Employers must ensure that
the in-plant transfer, handling, storage, and ((utilization))
use of acetylene in cylinders ((shall be in accordance with
Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1-1966)) comply with the
provisions of CGA Pamphlet G-1-2003 (Acetylene) (Compressed
Gas Association, Inc., 11th ed., 2003).
[Order 73-5, § 296-24-31001, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-31001, filed 5/7/73.]
(2) When employers can demonstrate that the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations used to generate acetylene or to charge (fill) acetylene cylinders were installed prior to February 16, 2006, these employers may comply with the provisions of Chapter 7 (Acetylene Piping) of NFPA 51A-2001 (Standard for Acetylene Charging Plants) (National Fire Protection Association, 2001 ed., 2001).
(3) The provisions of subsection (2) of this section also apply when the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations used to generate acetylene or to charge (fill) acetylene cylinders were approved for construction or installation prior to February 16, 2006, but constructed and installed on or after that date.
| Note: | For additional information on acetylene piping systems, see CGA G-1.2-2006, Part 3 (Acetylene Piping) (Compressed Gas Association, Inc., 3rd ed., 2006). |
[Order 73-5, § 296-24-31003, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-31003, filed 5/7/73.]
(2) When employers can demonstrate that the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations used to generate acetylene or to charge (fill) acetylene cylinders were constructed or installed prior to February 16, 2006, these employers may comply with the provisions of NFPA 51A-2001 (Standard for Acetylene Charging Plants) (National Fire Protection Association, 2001 ed., 2001).
(3) The provisions of subsection (2) of this section also apply when the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations were approved for construction or installation prior to February 16, 2006, but constructed and installed on or after that date.
[Order 73-5, § 296-24-31005, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-31005, filed 5/7/73.]