Washington Administrative Code

(1) The employer must conduct an inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are followed.(a) An authorized employee, other than the one(s) using the energy control procedure, must perform the ins…

The employer must provide training to ensure that employees understand the purpose and function of the energy control program, and that employees have the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, use, and removal of the energy controls. The training must include th…

When tagout systems are used, employees must also be trained in the following limitations of tags:(1) Tags are warning devices affixed to energy isolating devices, and do not provide the physical restraint on those devices that is provided by a lock.(2) When a tag is attached to …

(1) Authorized and affected employees must be retrained whenever there is a change in job assignments, machines, equipment, or processes that present a new hazard, or when there is a change in the energy control procedures.(2) Additional retraining must also be provided whenever …

The employer must keep records that certify that employee training has been completed and is up to date. The records must contain each employee's name and dates of training.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-32025, f…

Lockout or tagout must be performed only by authorized employees performing the service or maintenance.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-32027, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-…

Affected employees must be notified of the application and removal of lockout or tagout devices. Notification must be given before controls are applied and after they are removed.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-32…

The established lockout or tagout procedures must cover the following elements in the following sequence:Machinery or equipment shutdown before lockout or tagout:(1) Before an authorized or affected employee turns off a machine or equipment, the authorized employee must have know…

(1) Before removing lockout or tagout devices, the authorized employee must complete the following procedures:(a) Inspect the work area to ensure that nonessential items have been removed and to ensure that machine or equipment components are operationally intact.(b) Check the wo…

When lockout or tagout devices must be temporarily removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment energized to test or position the machine or equipment, the following sequence of actions must be followed:(1) Clear the machine or equipment of tools and mate…

(1) Whenever outside servicing contractors are to be engaged in activities covered by this standard, the employer and the outside employer must inform each other of the employer's respective lockout or tagout procedures.(2) The outside employer must ensure that employees understa…

(1) When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew or other group, they must use a procedure that provides a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device.(2) Group lockout or tagout devices must be used acc…

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. …