WSR 97-10-095
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed May 7, 1997, 10:56 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Scaffolds in construction (chapter 296-155 WAC).
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: Scaffolds in construction expose workers to fall hazards with potential for serious injury or death due to improper construction, erection and use. Amendments to chapter 296-155 WAC will be proposed to address recent changes to the federal standard as published in Federal Register Volume 61, Number 170, dated August 30, 1996, and Federal Register Volume 61, Number 228, dated November 25, 1996. The standard may be reorganized for better organization of information which could include moving information to more appropriate parts of the chapter.
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: The department must adopt rules identical or at-least-as-effective-as OSHA rules as required by the OSHA/WISHA state plan agreement. A management-labor-government subcommittee to the Construction Advisory Committee has been reviewing the new federal standard and recommending proposed amendments on the state standard.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Cindy Ireland, Safety and Health Specialist, Department of Labor and Industries, Division of Consultation and Compliance Services, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, phone (360) 902-5522, FAX (360) 902-5529.
May 7, 1997
Gary Moore
Director
by Mike Watson