Chapter 296-307 Safety standards for agriculture.

(1) The employer must ensure that lavatories are available in all workplaces.(2) Each lavatory must have hot and cold running water, or tepid running water.(3) The employer must provide hand soap or similar cleansing agent.(4) The employer must provide individual hand towels, war…

(1) Whenever employees are required by a WISHA standard to wear protective clothing because of the possibility of contamination with toxic materials, the employer must provide change rooms with separate storage facilities for street clothes and for the protective clothing.(2) If …

(1) This section applies to workplaces where employees may consume food, beverages, or both on the premises.(2) No employee may consume food or beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material.(3) If the workplace exposes employees to injurious dusts or othe…

(1) The employer must ensure that any receptacle used for waste or garbage that may rot is constructed so that it does not leak and can be thoroughly cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition. A receptacle must have a solid tight-fitting cover, unless it can be maintained in…

Every building with personal service, food preparation, or eating rooms must be constructed, equipped, and maintained to restrict infestation by rodents, insects, and other vermin. The employer must have a continuing and effective extermination program where vermin are present.[S…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-250, 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-250, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

Handrail. A rail used to provide employees with a handhold for support.Hole. A gap or void two inches or more in its least dimension, in a floor, roof, or other surface.Opening. A gap or void thirty inches (76 cm) or more high and eighteen inches (48 cm) or more wide, in a wall o…

Railings may be omitted from sections of open-sided floors, platforms, or walkways where guard rails impair operations, if railings are replaced when they no longer impair operations.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.060. WSR 21-04-128, § 296-307…

(1) Every stairway floor opening must be guarded by a standard railing constructed according to this section. The railing must guard all exposed sides (except the entrance to the stairway). Infrequently used stairways where traffic across the opening prevents using a fixed standa…

See requirements in chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fall protection.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.060. WSR 21-04-128, § 296-307-25012, filed 2/2/21, effective 3/8/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050,…

See requirements in chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fall protection.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.060. WSR 21-04-128, § 296-307-25015, filed 2/2/21, effective 3/8/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050,…

(1) Every flight of stairs having four or more risers must have standard stair railings or standard handrails as follows (stairway widths measured clear of all obstructions except handrails):(a) Stairways less than 44 inches wide with both sides enclosed must have at least one ha…

A standard railing must meet the following requirements:(1) The railing has a top rail, intermediate rail, and posts.(2) The railing height is between thirty-six and forty-two inches nominal from the upper surface of the top rail to the floor, platform, runway, or ramp level.(3) …

A stair railing must be constructed similar to a standard railing. The stair railing must be between 34 and 30 inches tall measured from the top of the top rail to the tread surface meeting the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010…

Standard railings must meet the following requirements:(1) For wood railings:(a) The posts are of at least two inch by four inch nominal stock spaced six feet apart or less; and(b) The top and intermediate rails are of at least two inch by four inch nominal stock.(c) If the top r…

(1) Standard toeboard height is at least four inches nominal from its top edge to the level of the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. The toeboard must be securely fastened in place and with a maximum of 1/4 inch clearance above floor level. It must be made of any substantial mate…

(1) A handrail must have a horizontal part mounted directly on a wall or partition by brackets attached to the lower side of the handrail. The brackets must be attached to ensure that there is a smooth surface along the top and both sides of the handrail. The handrail must be rou…

Floor opening covers must be made of any material that meets the following strength requirements:(1) Trench or conduit covers and their supports, when located in plant roadways, must be designed to carry a truck rear-axle load of at least 20,000 pounds.(2) Manhole covers and thei…

See requirements in chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fall protection.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.060. WSR 21-04-128, § 296-307-25039, filed 2/2/21, effective 3/8/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050,…

See requirements in chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fall protection.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.060. WSR 21-04-128, § 296-307-25042, filed 2/2/21, effective 3/8/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050,…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-260, 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-260, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

WAC 296-307-260 covers the safe design and construction of fixed general industrial stairs. Fixed general industrial stairs includes interior and exterior stairs around machinery, tanks, and other equipment, and stairs leading to or from floors, platforms, or pits.This section do…

Nose or nosing. The part of a tread projecting beyond the face of the riser immediately below.Open riser. The air space between the treads of stairways without risers.Platform. An extended step or landing breaking a continuous run of stairs.Railing. A vertical barrier erected alo…

Fixed stairs must be provided for:(1) Employee access from one structure level to another where operations require regular travel between levels.(2) Employee access to operating platforms on any equipment that requires regular attention during operations.(3) Employees that need d…

Spiral stairways are prohibited except for special limited use and secondary access when a conventional stairway is not practical. Winding stairways may be installed on tanks and similar round structures where the diameter of the structure is a minimum of five feet.[Statutory Aut…

Fixed stairways must be designed and constructed to carry a load of five times the normal live load anticipated, and must be at least strong enough to carry safely a moving concentrated load of 1,000 pounds.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.060. …

Fixed stairways must be at least 22 inches wide.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.060. WSR 21-04-128, § 296-307-26018, filed 2/2/21, effective 3/8/21. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-26018, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authori…

(1) Fixed stairs must be installed at angles to the horizontal of between thirty and fifty degrees. Any uniform combination of rise/tread dimensions may be used that will provide a stairway at an angle within the permissible range.The following table lists examples of rise/tread …

(1) When risers are used, each tread and the top landing of a stairway should have a nose extending 1/2 to one inch beyond the face of the lower riser.(2) Noses should have an even leading edge.(3) All treads must be reasonably slip-resistant and the nosings must be of nonslip fi…

Long flights of stairs, unbroken by landings or intermediate platforms, should be avoided. You should consider providing intermediate platforms where practical and for frequently used stairways. Stairway platforms must be at least as wide as the stairway and at least 30 inches lo…

Standard railings must be provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms. Handrails must be provided on at least one side of closed stairways, preferably on the right side descending. Stair railings and handrails must be installed according to WAC 296-307…

Alternating tread-type stairs. Stairs with a series of steps between 50 and 70 degrees from horizontal, attached to a center support rail in an alternating manner so that a user of the stairs never has both feet at the same level at the same time.(1) Alternating tread-type stairs…

(1) Vertical clearance above any stair tread to an overhead obstruction must be at least 7 feet measured from the leading edge of the tread.(2) Stairs with treads less than 9 inches wide should have open risers.(3) Open grating type treads are desirable for outside stairs.[Statut…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-270, 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-270, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

(1) We will accept safety factor test data on working or structural components from one of the following as evidence that a manlift meets minimum safety requirements:(a) The manufacturer;(b) A competent testing laboratory;(c) A registered engineering firm; or(d) A registered engi…

(1) The manufacturer's instructional manual, if any, must be used to establish the proper operational sequences and maintenance procedures. If there is no manual, you must develop instructions. The instructions must be available for reference by operators.(2) The assigned operato…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-280, 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-280, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

WAC 296-307-280 covers all types and shapes of power transmission belts.Exception:The following power transmission belts are exempt from WAC 296-307-280 when operating at 250 feet per minute or less: (1) Flat belts that are one inch wide or less. (2) Flat belts that are 2" wide o…

Guarded by location. That the location of a component eliminates potential hazards. A component seven feet or more above a working surface is considered guarded by location.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-28004, f…

(1) All power transmission components must be guarded according to the requirements of this section.(2) The employer must protect employees from coming into contact with moving machinery parts by:(a) A guard or shield or guarding by location; or(b) A guardrail or fence whenever a…

Flywheels. Include flywheels, balance wheels, and flywheel pulleys mounted and revolving on crankshaft of engine or other shafting.Prime movers. Include steam, gas, oil, and air engines, motors, steam and hydraulic turbines, and other equipment used as a source of power.(1) Unles…

Revolving shafts must be guarded by a standard safeguard unless guarded by location.(1) All shafting must be secured against excessive end movement.(2) Guarding horizontal shafting.(a) Unless guarded by location, all exposed parts of horizontal shafting, must be enclosed in a gua…

(1) Unless guarded by location, pulleys must be guarded according to WAC 296-307-28046 and 296-307-28050 through 296-307-28060. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than 6 feet 6 inches from the floo…

Belts. Include all power transmission belts, such as flat belts, round belts, V-belts, etc., unless otherwise specified.(1) Where both runs of horizontal belts are 7 feet or less from the floor level, the guard must extend to at least 15 inches above the belt or to a standard hei…

(1) Unless guarded by location, overhead horizontal belts must be guarded on the sides and bottom according to WAC 296-307-28054.(2) Unless guarded by location, horizontal overhead belts must be guarded for their entire length when:(a) Located over passageways or work places and …

(1) Vertical and inclined belts must be guarded according to WAC 296-307-28044 and 296-307-28050 through 296-307-28060.(2) All guards for inclined belts must provide a minimum clearance of 7 feet between belt and floor at any point outside of the guard.(3) A vertical or inclined …

(1) The cone belt and pulley must have a belt shifter that adequately guards the nip point of the belt and pulley. If the frame of the belt shifter does not adequately guard the nip point of the belt and pulley, the nip point must be protected by a vertical guard in front of the …

(1) Suspended counterbalanced belt tighteners and all components must be substantially constructed and securely fastened. The bearings must be securely capped. The employer must provide a mechanism to prevent the tightener from falling in case the belt breaks.(2) Unless guarded b…

(1) Gears must be guarded by one of the following methods:(a) A complete enclosure; or(b) A standard guard according to WAC 296-307-28050 through 296-307-28060, at least 7 feet high extending 6 inches above the mesh point of the gears; or(c) A band guard covering the face of gear…

When exposed to contact, the driving point of all friction drives must be guarded. All arm or spoke friction drives and all web friction drives with holes in the web must be entirely enclosed. When exposed to contact, all projecting belts on friction drives must be guarded.[Statu…