Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor & Workplace Standards Committee |
SSB 5340
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning class B elevator work permits.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Baumgartner and Conway; by request of Department of Labor & Industries).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/14/17
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) administers and enforces state laws regarding the installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of conveyances, including elevators, chair lifts, and other lifting devices. In general, these laws require elevator contractors to obtain permits from the Department before conveyances are installed, moved, or altered. Before the work is complete, the contractor notifies the Department and an inspector must inspect the conveyance and witness an acceptance test. For minor alterations, under certain circumstances the conveyance may be put back into service before the conveyance passes inspection. Otherwise, the conveyance must pass inspection before it is placed back into service. With some exceptions, conveyance work must be performed by a licensed elevator mechanic working for a licensed elevator contractor. The Department uses national codes as the basis for conveyance standards.
Summary of Bill:
Authority for the Department to issue a new class B elevator work permit is created. The permit allows the equipment that is the subject of the permit to be placed into operation without a witness inspection. The Department must instead inspect the work on a random basis, as specified in rule. Class B elevator work is: (1) minor alterations or (2) installations of private residential stairway chair lifts. A minor alteration is any alteration that is not a major alteration. A major alteration is any alteration where national standards mandate witness inspection and test requirements. Replacements of specific components that require inspections and tests by national standards are alterations. Class B work must be performed and tested, if required, by a licensed elevator contractor using a licensed elevator mechanic. A licensed elevator contractor may purchase class B permits when the class B authorization becomes effective. To maintain eligibility to purchase class B permits, a contractor must demonstrate competency in consistently performing code compliant work for all alterations, as specified by rule. The Department may establish fees for class B permits. By July 1, 2018, the Department must rescind any rules, policies, or other applicable authorities that are inconsistent with the definition of Class B elevator work.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.