Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety standards for construction work.

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 received a letter from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), dated July 27, 1999, indicating that Washington's safety rules relating to fall protection for construction work are "not at least as effective as" OSHA and therefore we must change to become at least as effective.

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 to or at-least-as-effective-as OSHA rules as required by the OSHA/WISHA state plan agreement. 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 or oral comments.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Cindy Ireland, Project Manager, phone (360) 902-5522, fax (360) 902-5529, Department of Labor and Industries, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620.

January 19, 2000

Gary Moore

Director

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