Purpose: Chapters 296-24 and 296-301 WAC, amendments to these previously adopted rules were made to clear rule write the regulation. No new requirements were imposed on employers, and protection for employees is equal to current protection. WISHA planned to develop a users guide to assist small business owners who felt the performance-based standard would be more difficult to comply with. Development of the user guide has taken longer than expected. Because the guide will benefit small business owners by giving them more specific compliance advice, WISHA is extending the effective date of the standard to ensure the user guide is available to employers before the standard becomes effective.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 49.17.040.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 98-10-073 on May 20, 1998. First Correction to this adoption was adopted under notice filed as WSR 98-24-120 on December 2, 1998.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 19, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 19, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 19, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2000.

May 28, 1999

Gary Moore

Director

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office