WSR 97-21-144

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed October 22, 1997, 10:05 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-86 WAC, Regulations and fees for freight and passenger elevators, manlifts, material lifts, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, automobile parking elevators, personnel elevators, and other lifting devices; and chapter 296-81 WAC, Safety rules governing elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, and lifting devices--Moving walks.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 70.87 RCW, laws governing elevators and other lifting devices-moving walks.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amended rules for chapter 296-86 WAC are necessary to comply with the clear rule-writing provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW). Also, new fees for roped-hydraulic elevators and limited-use/limited application elevators are needed, as well as, a general 4.05% increase in all elevator fees. Additionally, new fees will be proposed for department services like duplicate plan review and for technical assistance provided by elevator inspectors. Finally, national consensus standards will be updated where appropriate. WAC 296-81-007 will be amended to reference the 1996 ASME A17.1 code.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The subject is solely regulated by the Department of Labor and Industries. No other state or federal agencies are involved.

Process for Developing New Rule: The primary responsibility for developing specific rule proposals rests with the chief elevator inspector with input from department customers, regional staff and the Elevator Advisory Board.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jan M. Gould, Chief Elevator Inspector, phone (360) 902-6128, FAX (360) 902-6132, Department of Labor and Industries, Specialty Compliance Services Division, Elevator Section, P.O. Box 44480, Olympia, WA 98504-4480.

October 16, 1997

Gary Moore