Chapter 296-307 Safety standards for agriculture.

The employer must guard the blades of a fan located less than seven feet above the floor or working level. The guard must have maximum openings of one-half inch.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-18005, filed 10/20/2…

Constant-running drives. Drives that continue to rotate when the engine is running and all clutches are disengaged.Shields, guards, and access doors that will prevent accidental contact with rotating machine parts on constant-running drives must be in place when the machine is ru…

At the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter, the employer must instruct every employee in the safe operation and servicing of all equipment that the employee will use, including at least the following:(1) Keep all guards in place when the machine is in oper…

(1) If machine operation requires the presence of an operator on the machine, a "stop button" must be provided on the machine within reach of the operator.(2) Power control devices must be marked to indicate the function and machine they control. "On" and "off" must be marked.(3)…

(1) All steam pipes or pipes hot enough to burn a person (other than coil pipes, radiators for heating rooms or buildings, or pipes on portable steam engines and boilers) must be guarded with a standard safeguard, unless guarded by location.(2) All exposed hot pipes within seven …

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-185, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-185, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

(1) The employer must ensure that all cracked saw blades are removed from service, except as indicated in WAC 296-307-18515(6).(2) Inserting a wedge between a saw disk and its collar to form a "wobble saw" for rabbeting or dadoing is prohibited.Exception:This does not apply to pr…

(1) The employer must ensure that all band wheels are completely encased or guarded on both sides. Guards must be constructed of at least No. 14 U.S. gauge metal, nominal two-inch wood material, or mesh or perforated metal of at least U.S. gauge No. 20 with maximum openings of th…

(1) The employer must ensure that the upper hood completely encloses the upper portion of the blade, including the end of the saw arbor. The upper hood must be constructed to protect the operator from flying material, and to deflect sawdust. The sides of the lower exposed portion…

(1) The employer must ensure that each circular blade table saw used for ripping or crosscutting is guarded by a standard hood that covers the saw blade above the material completely at all times during the cut. The hood must adjust itself automatically to the thickness of, and m…

(1) The employer must ensure that fuel-wood saws are guarded by a standard guard that completely encloses the blade to the depth of the teeth, except for the area where material is fed into the blade.(2) The employer must ensure that the tables of fuel-wood saws is constructed so…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. WSR 98-24-096, § 296-307-190, filed 12/1/98, effective 3/1/99. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-190, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-190, filed 10…

Abrasive wheel. A cutting tool consisting of abrasive grains held together by organic or inorganic bonds. This includes diamond and reinforced wheels.Flanges. Collars, discs, or plates between which wheels are mounted. Also referred to as adapter, sleeve, or back.Mounted wheels. …

(1) Abrasive wheels must be used only on machines provided with safety guards.Exception:This requirement does not apply to the following: 1. Wheels used for internal work while the wheel is within the work being ground. 2. Mounted wheels 2 inches and smaller in diameter, used in …

(1) Immediately before mounting, the operator must closely inspect and sound (ring test) all wheels to make sure they are not damaged. Before mounting the wheel, the operator must check the spindle speed of the machine to be certain that it does not exceed the maximum operating s…

(1) Grinding machines must have flanges.(2) All abrasive wheels must be mounted between flanges that are at least one-third the diameter of the wheel. Regardless of flange type used, the wheel must always be guarded. Blotters must be used according to this section.(3) Design and …

Safety guards on right angle head or vertical portable grinders must have a maximum exposure angle of 180°, and the guard must be between the operator and the wheel during use. The guard must be adjusted so that pieces of an accidentally broken wheel will be deflected away from t…

Other portable grinding machines must be guarded so that only the bottom half of the wheel is exposed. The top half of the wheel must be enclosed at all times.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-19018, filed 10/20/20,…

(1) Each hand-held, power-driven tool must have a "dead man" control, such as a spring-actuated switch, valve, or equivalent device, so that the power will be automatically shut off whenever the operator releases the control.(2) The frames and all exposed, noncurrent-carrying met…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-200, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-200, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

Using compressed air for cleaning purposes is prohibited, except where the pressure is reduced to less than 30 psi and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091,…

(1) When using compressed air tools, use care to prevent the tool from being shot from the gun.(2) When momentarily out of use, the gun should be laid so that the tool cannot fly out if the pressure is accidentally released. When not in use, all tools should be removed from the g…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-205, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-205, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

(1) All portable, power-driven circular saws with a blade diameter greater than 2 inches must have guards above and below the base plate or shoe.(a) The upper guard must cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to permit the base to be tilted f…

(1) The following powered tools must have a constant pressure switch or control that will shut off the power when the pressure is released:(a) All hand-held powered circular saws with a blade diameter-greater than 2 inches;(b) Electric, hydraulic or pneumatic chain saws; and(c) P…

(1) The operating trigger on portable pneumatic powered tools must be located to minimize the possibility of accidental operation and arranged to close the air inlet valve automatically when the operator removes pressure.(2) A tool retainer must be installed on each tool that wou…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-220, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-220, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

Blade tip circle. The path described by the outermost point of the blade as it rotates about its shaft axis.Catcher assembly. A part that provides a means for collecting grass clippings or debris.Deadman control. A control designed to automatically interrupt power to a drive when…

(1) Walk-behind, riding-rotary, and reel power lawnmowers designed for use by employees must meet the design specifications in ANSI B71.1-1968.Exception:These specifications do not apply to sulky-type mowers, flail mowers, sickle-bar mowers, or mowers designed for commercial use.…

(1) The mower blade must be enclosed except on the bottom and the enclosure must extend to or below the lowest blade position.(2) Guards that must be removed to install a catcher assembly must meet the following requirements:(a) Warning instructions are attached to the mower near…

(1) The horizontal angle of the grass discharge opening(s) in the blade enclosure must not contact the operator area.(2) There must be one of the following at all grass discharge openings:(a) A minimum of 3 inches between the end of the discharge chute and the blade tip circle; o…

(1) The highest point(s) of all openings in the blade enclosure front must be a maximum of 1 1/4 inches above the lowest blade position.(2) Opening(s) must not allow grass or debris to discharge directly toward the operator seated in normal operator position.(3) There must be one…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-225, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-225, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

Jack. An appliance for lifting and lowering or moving horizontally a load using a pushing force.Note:Jack types include lever and ratchet, screw, and hydraulic.Rating. The maximum working load for which a jack is designed to lift the load safely throughout its travel.[Statutory A…

(1) The operator must make sure that the jack used has a load rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load.(2) The rated load must be legibly and permanently marked in a prominent location on the jack by casting, stamping, or other suitable means.Note:The operator should follow…

(1) If the foundation is not firm, the operator must block the base of the jack. If the cap might slip, the operator must place a block in between the cap and the load.(2) The operator must watch the stop indicator, which must be kept clean, in order to determine the limit of tra…

(1) Safe clearances of three feet must be allowed for aisles, loading docks, doorways, and wherever turns or passage must be made. Passageways must be kept clear and in good repair, with no obstructions.(2) Bags, bales, boxes, and other containers stored in tiers must be made sec…

Conveyors must be constructed, operated, and maintained according to ANSI B 20.1-1957.(1) When the return strand of a conveyor operates within seven feet of the floor, there must also be a trough strong enough to carry the weight resulting from a broken chain.(2) If the strands a…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-240, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-240, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

The employer must comply with the rules and regulations of the state board of health governing sanitation in the workplace. We enforce these regulations according to RCW 43.20.050.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-2…

WAC 296-307-240 covers sanitation for employees who normally work in fixed, indoor places of agricultural employment.Fixed, indoor workplace. One where the employees perform a majority of their duties at that site.This does not cover field employees who only occasionally enter a …

Lavatory. A basin used exclusively for washing hands, arms, face, and head.Personal service room. A room used for activities not directly connected with the business function of the employer. Such activities include, but are not limited to, first aid, medical services, dressing, …

(1) The employer must ensure that all places of employment are kept clean to the extent that the work allows.(2) The employer must ensure that the floor of every workroom is kept as dry as possible. Where wet processes are used, the employer must maintain drainage. The employer m…

(1) A common drinking cup and other common utensils are prohibited.(2) The employer must provide potable water in all places of employment, for drinking, washing of the person, cooking, washing food, washing cooking or eating utensils, washing food preparation or processing premi…

(1) The employer must ensure that nonpotable water is marked as unsafe and is not used for drinking, washing of the person, cooking, washing food, washing cooking or eating utensils, washing food preparation or processing premises, or personal service rooms, or for washing clothe…

(1) The employer must provide toilet facilities, with separate toilet rooms for each sex, according to the requirements in the table below. The employer must provide facilities for each sex based on the number of employees of that sex for whom facilities are furnished.(2) Where s…

The employer must provide facilities for maintaining personal cleanliness in the workplace. The facilities must be convenient for employees and maintained in a sanitary condition.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-24…