Date of Adoption: September 21, 1999.

Purpose: Chapter 296-24 WAC, Safety standards for general safety and health.

Topic: State initiate changes are being adopted to WAC 296-24-205 in order to correct errors and clarify language to the rule as it was recently adopted. This adoption was an OSHA/WISHA collaborative effort to clear rule write the standard. These adopted changes are being done prior to the effective date of the current adopted rule in order to incorporate them as part of the final rule. In addition, the revisions will be consolidated into the User Guide that WISHA will complete and distribute prior to the effective date of the rule. There will be no change in requirements.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending safeguarding power transmission parts, chapter 296-24 WAC, Part C, General safety and health standards: WAC 296-24-20501 What is the employer's duty to protect employees from hazards of power transmission parts? WAC 296-24-20503 What requirements must guards meet? WAC 296-24-20505 What requirements must devices meet? WAC 296-24-20507 What requirements must safeguarding by distance meet? WAC 296-24-20509 What requirements must safeguarding by location meet? WAC 296-24-20511 What other responsibilities beyond safeguarding does an employer have to protect employees from power transmission parts? WAC 296-24-20513 When may a guardrail be used as a safeguard? WAC 296-24-20515 What are the additional requirements for flywheels? WAC 296-24-20517 What are the additional requirements for shafting? WAC 296-24-20521 What are the additional requirements for belt and rope drives? WAC 296-24-20525 What are the additional requirements for belt shifters? WAC 296-24-20527 What are the additional requirements for sewing machines?

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 99-13-165 on June 22, 1999.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 12, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 12, Repealed 0.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 12, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2000.

September 21, 1999

Gary Moore

Director

OTS-3354.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00)

WAC 296-24-20501
What is an employer's duty to protect employees from hazards of power transmission parts?

(((1))) An employer must protect employees from the hazards of power transmission ((parts)) created by((:

(a) Moving objects;

(b) Flying objects;

(c) Falling objects; and

(d))) moving objects and parts, including flying objects, falling objects and inherently hazardous surfaces, such as sharp edges, burrs, and protruding nails and bolts.

Specifically, an employer must use enclosure guards, devices, a safe distance, or a safe location to protect employees from the following:

(1) Belt and rope drives, including pulleys;

(2) Chain drives;

(3) Shafts, crankshafts, shaft ends, couplings;

(4) Gears;

(5) Flywheels;

(6) Cams and piston rods;

(7) Other machine parts that transmit power and expose workers to hazards.

"Power transmission parts" means the mechanical components of a piece of equipment that, together with a source of power (sometimes referred to as a prime mover), provide the motion to a part of a machine or piece of equipment.

(((2) An employer must use one or more of the methods of safeguarding listed below to eliminate the hazards described in subsection (1) of this section:

(a) Guard;

(b) Device;

(c) Safe distance; or

(d) Safe location.))

Note:

Guardrails are not generally accepted as a safeguarding method, but see WAC 296-24-20513 for exceptions when guardrails may be used.

Note:

See WAC 296-24-20521(1) for a list of power transmission belts that are exempt from the requirements of this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20501, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00.  Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW.  89-11-035 (Order 89-03), § 296-24-20501, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20501, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20501, filed 5/7/73.]

((To safeguard using a guard, an employer must ensure that the guard:

(1))) If relying upon a guard, the employer must ensure that it does the following:

• Prevents any part of an employee's body from reaching the hazard by reaching over, under, through, or past the guard;

(((2))) • Prevents objects from flying ((out)) toward, or falling onto, an employee;

(((3))) • Is made of durable material designed to withstand the forces to which it could be exposed;

(((4))) • Is securely fastened at least every three feet to a fixed part of the machine it safeguards or the building structure; and

(((5))) • Creates no additional hazards such as from sharp edges or from motion between it and moving parts.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20503, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00.  Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW.  90-03-029 (Order 89-20), § 296-24-20503, filed 1/11/90, effective 2/26/90; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), § 296-24-20503, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20503, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20503, filed 5/7/73.]

To safeguard using a device, an employer must ensure that it:

(((1))) • Stops motion of the power transmission parts before an employee is exposed to the hazard of coming into contact with a moving part; and

(((2))) • Prevents the machine from restarting unless an employee manually resets it.

Note:

Emergency stop controls or warning signals are not considered devices that, by themselves, effectively safeguard power transmission parts.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20505, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20505, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20505, filed 5/7/73.]

To safeguard by distance, an employer must ensure that:

(((1))) • The vertical distance between power transmission parts and a floor or walking or working surface is more than seven feet;

(((2))) • The horizontal distance between power transmission parts and fixed ladders or stairs or other walking or working surface prevents any part of an employee's body from reaching the hazard;

• The power transmission parts are supported so they will not fall on an employee below; and

(((3))) • No parts or material may fall on an employee below.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20507, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20507, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20507, filed 5/7/73.]

To safeguard by location, an employer must ensure that the location of power transmission parts eliminates the possibility that any part of an employee's body can inadvertently reach the hazard.

An employer may safeguard any location used exclusively for power transmission parts by ensuring that the location:

• Is locked;

• Prohibits unauthorized entrance;

• Has a passageway with an effective vertical clearance of at least five feet six inches;

• Is well lit;

• Has a dry, level, firm floor; and

• Has a safe, well-marked route for an authorized employee to follow.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20509, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20509, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20509, filed 5/7/73.]

(1) An employer must remove, make flush, or guard with metal covers all projections on moving parts, including keys, setscrews, bolts, and nuts.

(((a))) However, an employer is not required to remove, make flush, or guard keys or setscrews:

(((i))) • Within an enclosure;

(((ii))) • Below the rim of a pulley that is less than twenty inches in diameter; or

(((iii))) • Where employee contact is not possible.

(((b))) (a) An employer must fill or cover unused keyways.

(((c))) (b) An employer must use only cylindrical revolving collars and ensure that screws or bolts used in collars do not project beyond the outside of the collar.

(2) An employer must ensure that power transmission parts are inspected at least once every sixty days for compliance with this standard, and are kept in good working condition at all times.  An employer's inspection must ensure that:

(((a))) • A pulley with a ((crack)) cracked or broken piece is not used.

(((b))) • All bolts and screws holding power transmission equipment together or supporting the equipment are tight.

(((c))) • Belts, lacings, and fasteners are in good repair.

(((d))) • Power transmission parts are kept in proper alignment.

(3) ((An employer may safeguard any location used exclusively for power transmission parts by ensuring that the location:

(a) Is locked;

(b) Prohibits unauthorized entrance;

(c) Has a passageway with an effective vertical clearance of at least five feet six inches;

(d) Is well lit;

(e) Has a dry, level, firm floor; and

(f) Has a safe, well-marked route for an authorized employee to follow.

(4))) If it is necessary to lubricate power transmission parts while the parts are moving, an employer must ensure that:

(a) The tool an oiler uses, such as an oil can or grease gun, has a long spout to keep the oiler's hands away from the hazard.

(((a))) (b) An oiler must wear closely fitting clothing.

(((b))) (c) Drip cups and pans must be securely fastened.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20511, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00.  Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW.  94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-20511, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20511, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20511, filed 5/7/73.]

(1) An employer may use a guardrail as a safeguard for:

(((a))) • A flywheel, when the guardrail is at least fifteen inches from the rim (also see WAC 296-24-20515 for other requirements on flywheels);

(((b))) • Cranks and connecting rods;

(((c))) • Tail rods and extension piston rods, when the guardrail is at least fifteen inches from the fully extended end of the rod;

(((d))) • A horizontal belt in a power generating room;

(((e))) • A clutch, cutoff coupling, or clutch pulley in an engine room occupied only by an engine room attendant; or

(((f))) • A runway used only for oiling, maintenance, running adjustment, or repair work.

(2) An employer must ensure that a guardrail used for safeguarding a machine:

(a) Has a toeboard at least four inches high; and

(b) Complies with WAC 296-24-75011.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20513, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20513, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20513, filed 5/7/73.]

(1) Flywheels located so that any part is seven feet or less above the floor or platform must be guarded with an enclosure and must be guarded with a guardrail placed not less than fifteen nor more than twenty inches from the rim. When other safeguarding methods cannot be used, an employer must safeguard a spoked flywheel with a smooth rim five feet or less in diameter by using a disk guard.

(2) The disk must cover the flywheel spokes on the exposed side, and create a smooth surface and edge.

(((a))) • An open space, a maximum of four inches wide, between the outside edge of the disk and the rim of the wheel may exist to turn the wheel over.

(((b))) • A key or other uncovered projection must be cut off.

(((2))) (3) An employer may provide an adjustable guard at the flywheel of a ((gas)) gasoline or diesel engine for starting the engine or for a running adjustment.  A slot opening for a jack bar is permitted.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20515, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20515, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20515, filed 5/7/73.]

(1) An employer must secure shafting against excessive endwise movement.

(2) An employer must maintain shafting so that it is free from excess oil or grease and pitting from corrosion.

(3) An employer may safeguard shafting under a bench machine by using a guard that extends to:

(a) Within six inches of the underside of the table or the floor; and

(b) At least two inches beyond the shafting.

(4) An employer must ensure that projecting shaft ends:

(a) Have a smooth edge and end and project no more than one-half the diameter of the shaft; or

(b) Are guarded by a nonrotating cap or safety sleeve.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20517, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20517, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20517, filed 5/7/73.]

(1) An employer is not required to safeguard belts operating at two hundred fifty linear feet per minute or less that are:

(((a))) • Flat and one inch wide or less; or

(((b))) • Flat and between one to two inches wide with no metal lacings or fasteners; or

(((c))) • Round and one-half inch or less in diameter; or

(((d))) • Single strand v-belts thirteen thirty-seconds inch wide or less.

(2) An employer may use a nip point ((belt)) and pulley guard on a vertical or inclined belt that:

(((a))) • Is two and one-half inches wide or less;

(((b))) • Is running at a speed of less than one thousand feet per minute; and

(((c))) • Is free from metal lacings or fastenings.

"Nip-point belt and pulley guard" means a device that encloses the pulley and has rounded or rolled edge slots for the belt to pass through.

(3) When the space between the upper and lower runs of a horizontal belt would allow an employee to pass between them, an employer ((may)) must:

(((a))) • Guard along the upper run; or

(((b))) • Provide a platform over the lower run((;)) and

(((c) Provide)) a railing over the lower run that will prevent employees from leaving the platform.

(((d))) In a power generating room, only the lower run of a horizontal belt must be guarded.

(4) ((An)) The employer must use ((a)) an idler when using quarter-twist belts ((with an idler on a drive)) that can run((s)) in ((both)) either direction((s)).

(5) ((An)) On those belt and rope drives that require dressing, the employer must apply ((a)) the dressing to a moving belt or rope where the belt or rope leaves the pulley.

(6) An employer ((may not safeguard by distance or location an overhead belt located more than seven feet above a floor or platform)) must guard an overhead belt located more than seven feet above the floor or working surface when:

(((a))) • The belt is located over a passageway or work space and travels at a speed of one thousand eight hundred feet or more per minute; or

(((b))) • The distance between the centers of its pulleys is ten feet or more; or

(((c))) • The belt is wider than eight inches.

(7) An employer must ensure that a belt shifted by hand is not fastened with metal or other material that creates a hazard.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20521, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20521, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20521, filed 5/7/73.]

(1) An employer must ensure that the equipment listed below, if installed after August 17, 1971, has a permanent, mechanical belt shifter:

(((a))) • Tight and loose (drive and idler) pulleys; and

(((b))) • A cone pulley belt.

(2) An employer must ensure that a belt shifter or clutch handle:

(a) Safeguards the nip point;

(b) Is rounded;

(c) Is within easy reach, but minimizes the chance of accidental contact with the operator; and

(d) Is located over a machine or bench, or has handles cut off six feet six inches above the floor level.

(3) No belt shifter is required if:

(((a))) • The belt is endless or ((laced)) laces with rawhide; and

(((b))) • The nip point of the belt and pulley is safeguarded by a nip point guard in front of the cone((s)); and

(((i))) • The guard ((must)) extends at least to the top of the largest step of the cone((;)) and

(((ii) The guard must be)) is formed to show the contour of the cone.

(4) An employer must ensure that each belt shifter and clutch handle of the same type in a workplace moves in the same direction to stop a machine, i.e., either all right or all left.

(a) A friction clutch handle on a countershaft carrying two clutch pulleys with open and crossed belts is not required to move in the same direction; and

(b) The clutch handle must have three positions with the machine at rest when the clutch handle is in the center position.

(5) An employer must ensure that a belt tightener used to activate machinery:

(a) Is substantially constructed and securely fastened;

(b) Has bearings securely capped;

(c) Has a mechanism to prevent it from falling; and

(d) Is securely held in the "off" position by gravity, or by an automatic mechanism that must be released by hand.

(6) An employer may not use a belt pole to shift a belt on and off a fixed pulley.  When a belt shifter cannot be used, an employer may use a belt pole that is:

(a) Smooth; and

(b) Large enough for an employee to grasp securely.

Note: A belt pole is also known as a "belt shipper" or "shipper pole."

(7) An employer must use a substantial belt perch, such as a bracket, roller, etc., to safely shift an idle belt away from ((the)) a shaft when a loose pulley or idler is not practical.

(8) An employer must ensure that a bearing support immediately adjacent to a friction clutch or cutoff coupling has self-lubricating bearings requiring infrequent attention.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20525, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00.  Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW.  94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-20525, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 76-6, § 296-24-20525, filed 3/1/76; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20525, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20525, filed 5/7/73.]

No guard is required for belt drives on a light or medium duty sewing machine if:

(((1))) • It uses either a flat or a round belt without metal lacings and fasteners;

(((2))) • The belt is located above the table top;

(((3))) • The machine is not used to sew heavy materials such as leather, canvas, denim, or vinyl;

(((4))) • The operators' hands are not in, near, or on the wheel, nip point, or belt area when the machine is operating;

(((5))) • The distance between the area where the operator is holding and feeding material with both hands and the belt or wheel location((s)) is great enough that the operator is not exposed to a motion hazard; and

(((6))) • The table top is designed so that employees near the machine are not exposed to motion hazards while they work or as they pass by.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040 and [49.17.]050.  98-10-073, 98-24-120 and 99-12-091, § 296-24-20527, filed 5/4/98, 12/2/98 and 6/1/99, effective 1/1/00; Order 73-5, § 296-24-20527, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-20527, filed 5/7/73.]

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