WSR 97-01-057

PROPOSED RULES

WASHINGTON STATE PATROL

[Filed December 12, 1996, 1:59 p.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 96-21-111.

Title of Rule: Chapter 204-60 WAC, Standards and specifications for additional lamps and flags for use on snow removal and highway maintenance equipment.

Purpose: Amend rule to allow refuse haulers to use alternate lights when vehicle equipment obscures regular headlamps.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.300.

Summary: Add refuse haulers to the rule which governs the use of additional equipment for snow removal and highway maintenance vehicles.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Change will increase safety by allowing refuse haulers to use additional equipment if the current equipment obscures headlamps.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Ms. Carol Morton, 4242 Martin Way, Olympia, WA, (360) 412-8934; and Enforcement: Captain Tim Erickson, 210 11th Avenue S.W., General Administration Building, Room G21, Olympia, (360) 753-0360.

Name of Proponent: Washington State Patrol, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Current rule sets standards for placement of additional headlamps and amber lights for snow removal and highway maintenance vehicles. The proposed changes would allow refuse haulers to use the same standards for additional lamps.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Add verbiage which would allow refuse haulers to place additional headlamps on the vehicles. The rules apply existing standards to refuse haulers. The amendments would also allow refuse haulers to use amber lights in certain circumstances.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule is optional. Refuse haulers may choose not to place additional lights on vehicles.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Washington State Patrol Main Conference Room, 210 11th Avenue S.W., General Administration Building, 1st Floor, Olympia, WA, on January 23, 1997, at 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Ms. Jan Baca by January 16, 1997, (360) 753-0626.

Submit Written Comments to: Ms. Carol Morton, State Patrol Equipment Review Unit, P.O. Box 42635, Olympia, WA 98504-2635, FAX (360) 493-9090, by January 16, 1997.

Date of Intended Adoption: February 3, 1997.

December 11, 1996

Annette M. Sandberg

Chief

STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL LAMPS AND FLAGS FOR USE ON SNOW REMOVAL ((AND)), HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT, AND REFUSE HAULERS

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 7605, filed 2/24/76)

WAC 204-60-010 Promulgation. By authority vested in the ((state commission on equipment)) Washington state patrol in RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.300, the following standards and specifications applicable to head lamps, clearance lamps, identification and other lamps on snow-removal and highway maintenance equipment, and refuse haulers in lieu of the lamps otherwise required on motor vehicles, are hereby adopted.

[Order 7605, 204-60-010, filed 2/24/76. Formerly Regulation 630 (part), Appendix to Title 204 WAC.]

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 7605, filed 2/24/76)

WAC 204-60-030 Standards for lights. (1) Additional headlamps may be positioned sufficiently high enough to clear operating equipment provided they are aimed at an angle to avoid blinding oncoming traffic while on their routes, involved in construction, maintenance, and/or operations. Regular mounted headlamps must be used by refuse haulers when transporting refuse to the dump site. Auxiliary headlamps may be used if necessary.

When the refuse haulers' collections container is in a position to obscure the headlamps, the truck will use the alternate lights and will not exceed twenty miles per hour.

(2) Additional operating lamps may be located on the top of the cab or at other locations to illuminate plowing, abrasive spreading or other equipment.

(3) Red lights on highway equipment: No flashing red warning signal except those required by RCW 46.37.150, shall be displayed or used on any highway equipment.

(4) Amber lamps on highway equipment: Amber colored lamps required on the following equipment shall comply with the specifications set forth in ((paragraph (6))) subsection (5) of this section:

(a) Power shovels or other similar highway maintenance equipment shall be equipped with a flashing amber lamp and red flag on an extension designating the maximum danger limit created by the swing of the cab while operating along the traffic lane.

(b) A flashing amber lamp shall be used on all other equipment which creates a potential hazard to traffic in order to serve as a warning to the traveling public. This equipment includes those vehicles and trailers for construction, maintenance and operations.

(c) A flashing amber lamp shall be used on the knuckle of all manlift-type platform trucks with articulating boom, where the knuckle is capable of being rotated beyond the side of the truck.

(d) The minimum light intensity of the lamp filament shall not be less than twenty-one candle power.

(e) The lamp or lamps shall be mounted on the cab or other high point of the equipment so as to be visible at all times, at least from the front and rear of the vehicle, from a distance of five hundred feet in normal sunlight.

(((6))) (5) The flashing amber lamp for use on highway construction, maintenance, refuse haulers, and operations equipment shall be illuminated only:

(a) When the equipment is actually involved in construction, maintenance collecting refuse, and/or operations.

(b) When the equipment is traveling to or from the job site and is unable to maintain, either because of equipment limitations, or other reasons, at least one-half posted or prevailing speed.