Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards; chapter 296-67 WAC, Safety standards for process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals; chapter 296-79 WAC, Safety standards for pulp, paper, and paperboard mills and converters; and chapter 296-305 WAC, Safety standards for firefighters.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Department of Labor and Industries is proposing to clarify and amend requirements relating to hazardous waste operations and emergency response to be as effective as OSHA. Also, this rule making will address changes that were identified in the August 1997 rule review plan and incorporate necessary policy into rule as required by the Governor's Executive Order on Regulatory Improvement (97-02).

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state or federal agencies (other than OSHA) are known that regulate this subject.

Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in the formulation of these rules for proposal may contact the individuals listed below. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments or giving oral testimony during the public hearing process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Michael McCauley, Project Manager, phone (360) 902-5779, fax (360) 902-5529, Department of Labor and Industries, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620.

April 26, 2000

Gary Moore

Director

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