Washington Administrative Code

(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…

(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…