Chapter 296-307 Safety standards for agriculture.

During shift or personnel changes, the employer must ensure that employees follow specific procedures to ensure the continuity of lockout or tagout protection. The procedures must include orderly transfer of lockout or tagout protection between off-going and oncoming employees, t…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-330, 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-330, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

Accident prevention sign (sign). A surface with text or pictographs, meant to warn or instruct employees who may be exposed to hazards. Safety posters and education bulletins are not included in this definition.Accident prevention tag (tag). A card that identifies a hazardous con…

Use red to identify:(1) Fire protection equipment;(2) Safety cans or other portable containers of flammable liquids;(3) Danger signs and tags;(4) Emergency stop bars on hazardous machines; and(5) Stop buttons or electrical switches used to stop machinery in an emergency.Red light…

Use yellow to identify:(1) Caution signs and tags; and(2) Physical hazards.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-33005, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-33005, filed 4/7/97, eff…

(1) Danger signs and tags.(a) Use danger signs and tags when an immediate hazard presents a threat of death or serious injury to employees.(b) Instruct all employees that danger signs and tags indicate immediate danger and that special precautions are necessary.(2) Caution signs …

(1) All signs must have rounded or blunt corners and be free from sharp edges. The ends or heads of bolts or other fastening devices must be located so that they do not constitute a hazard.(2) Danger, caution, directional, informational, exit, and safety instruction signs must co…

(1) Use tags as a temporary means of warning employees of a hazardous condition, especially defective equipment. Tags are not a complete warning method, but should be used until the hazard can be eliminated.For example: The employer may use a "do not start" tag on power equipment…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-340, 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-340, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

(1) WAC 296-307-340 applies to the placement, use, maintenance, and testing of portable fire extinguishers provided for employee use. WAC 296-307-34012 does not apply to extinguishers provided for employee use on the outside of workplace buildings or structures. If the employer d…

(1) The employer is exempt from all requirements of this section, if:(a) The employer has implemented a written fire safety policy that requires all employees to evacuate immediately when the fire alarm sounds; and(b) The employer has an emergency action plan and a fire preventio…

(1) The employer must provide portable fire extinguishers that are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.(2) The employer must only use approved portable fire extinguishers.(3) Portable fire extinguishers using carbon tetrachloride or…

(1) The employer must select and distribute portable fire extinguishers based on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard that would affect their use.(2) Distribution of portable fire extinguishers.(a) For Class A fires: The employer must di…

(1) The employer is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.(2) The employer must visually inspect portable extinguishers or hose at least once a month.(3) The employer must ensure that portable fire extinguishe…

(1) The employer must ensure that a trained person performs hydrostatic testing with suitable testing equipment and facilities.(2) The employer must ensure that portable extinguishers are hydrostatically tested at the intervals listed in the table below.Type of ExtinguishersTesti…

(1) If the employer provides portable fire extinguishers for employee use, then the employer must also provide training to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved in fighting fires when they first appear.The employer mus…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-345, 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-345, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

(1) WAC 296-307-345 applies to all emergency employee alarms required by a specific WAC chapter. This section does not apply to discharge or supervisory alarms required on various fixed extinguishing systems or to supervisory alarms on fire suppression, alarm or detection systems…

(1) The employer's employee alarm system must provide warning for necessary emergency action called for in the emergency action plan, or safe escape of employees from the workplace.(2) The employer must ensure that all employees can see or hear their employee alarm above normal n…

(1) The employer must ensure that all systems installed to comply with this standard are approved. Steam whistles, air horns, strobe lights or similar lighting devices, or tactile devices meeting the requirements of this section must also be approved.(2) After each test or alarm,…

(1) The employer must ensure that all employee alarm systems are maintained in operating condition except when undergoing repairs or maintenance.(2) The employer must ensure that a test of the reliability and adequacy of nonsupervised employee alarm systems is made every two mont…

The employer must ensure that manually operated actuation devices used with employee alarms are easy to find and accessible.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-34515, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20. WSR 97-09-013,…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-350, 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-350, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

WAC 296-307-350 requires the employer to provide exit routes for employees to leave the workplace safely during emergencies. This section does not apply to mobile workplaces, such as vehicles or vessels.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR…

Exit. The portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel out of the workplace.Exit route. A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to safety outside. An exit route generally con…

The employer must ensure that each workplace meets each of the following requirements:(1) Each exit is a permanent part of the workplace.(2) Two exit routes, remote from one another, are available to provide alternate means for employees to safely leave the workplace during an em…

The employer must ensure that each workplace meets the following requirements:(1) The workplace exit route is maintained to minimize danger to employees during an emergency.(a) The workplace exit route is free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or decorations.(b) Accumu…

(1) The employer must develop an emergency action plan for each part of the workplace as required by WAC 296-307-030 (3)(d).(a) The plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and made available to employees on request.(b) An employer of 10 or fewer employees may communicate …

(1) The employer must develop a fire prevention plan for each part of the workplace if required by WAC 296-307-34006(1).(a) The plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and made available to employees on request.(b) An employer of ten or fewer employees may communicate the…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-360, 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-360, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

(1) Chapter 296-307 WAC Part T covers methods to protect against electrical hazards in agricultural workplaces.(2) Chapter 296-307 WAC Part T does not cover:(a) Installations in watercraft, or automotive vehicles; or(b) Electric welding. (See chapter 296-307 WAC Part V.)(3) Unles…

The following definitions apply to this part:Acceptable. An installation or equipment that is acceptable to the department and meets the requirements of this section. An installation or equipment is acceptable if:(1) It is accepted, certified, listed, labeled, or otherwise determ…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-362, 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-362, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

The conductors and equipment required or permitted by this section must be approved.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-36203, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-36203, filed 4/…

(1) Electrical equipment must be free from hazards to employees. Safety of equipment must be determined using the following considerations:(a) Suitability for installation and use according to the requirements of this part. Suitability of equipment for a specific purpose may be s…

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more must be guarded against accidental contact by an approved cabinet or other form of approved enclosure, or by any of the following:(a) Location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure tha…

(1) When parts are exposed, the minimum clearance for the workspace must be at least six feet six inches high, or at least a radius of three feet wide.(2) There must be enough clearance to permit at least a 90° opening of all doors or hinged panels.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17…

Conductors must be spliced or joined with splicing devices suitable for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered splices must first be spliced or joined so they are mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then soldered. …

Parts of electric equipment that in ordinary operation produce arcs, sparks, flames, or molten metal must be enclosed or separated and isolated from all combustible material.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-36218, …

All electrical equipment in use must have the manufacturer's name, trademark, or other descriptive marking of the organization responsible for the product on the equipment. Other markings must be provided giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary. The markin…

Each disconnecting means required by this part for motors and appliances must be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident. Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, must be legi…

Sufficient access and working space must be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the dimension of the working space in the direction of access to live parts operat…

(1) Conductors and equipment used on circuits exceeding 600 volts, nominal, must meet all requirements of WAC 296-307-36221 and the additional requirements of this section. This section does not apply to equipment on the supply side of the service conductors.(2) Electrical instal…

[WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-364, 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-364, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

(1) Extension cords used with portable electric tools and appliances must be three wire and must be fitted with an approved grounding attachment plug and receptacle providing ground continuity.Exception:This does not apply to cords used with portable tools and equipment provided …

(1) Attachment plugs used in work areas must be constructed so that they will endure rough use and have a suitable cord grip to prevent strain on the terminal screws.(2) Attachment plugs must be approved grounding plugs.(3) Receptacles for attachment plugs must have approved conc…

Employees must report all shocks received from electrical equipment, no matter how slight, immediately to the employer. The equipment causing the shock must be checked and any necessary corrective action taken immediately.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050,…

(1) The path to ground must have enough carrying capacity to conduct safely the currents likely to be imposed on it; and have low enough impedance to limit the potential above ground and to result in the operation of the overcurrent devices in the circuit.(2) Driven rod electrode…

(1) Disconnecting means must be located or shielded so that employees will not be injured. Using open knife switches is prohibited.(2) Boxes for disconnecting means must be securely and rigidly fastened to the surface upon which they are mounted, and fitted with covers.[Statutory…

(1) Name plates, rating data, and marks of identification on electrical equipment and electrically operated machines must not be removed, defaced or obliterated.(2) In existing installations, no changes in circuit protection must be made to increase the load beyond the load ratin…