Washington Administrative Code

(1) The rules included in this chapter apply throughout the state of Washington, to any and all waterfront operations under the jurisdiction of the department of labor and industries.(2) These minimum requirements are promulgated in order to augment the general safety and health …

Conditions may exist under which certain state standards will not have practical application. In these cases, the director of the department of labor and industries has made provisions for the issuance of variances. The director or his/her authorized representative may, pursuant …

(1) Employers must make sure machinery operators meet qualifications:(a) Only those employees determined by the employer to be competent by reason of training or experience, who understand the signs, notices, and operating instructions and are familiar with the signal code in use…

(1) Employers must keep active work areas free of equipment and materials not in use, and clear of debris, projecting nails, strapping and other sharp objects not necessary for the work in progress.(2) Employers must make sure hatch beams, covers, and pontoons placed in terminal …

(1) Employers must establish an accident prevention program, which provides equitable management-employee participation, in all establishments, industrial plants, or operations.(2) Employers must initiate and maintain the accident prevention program necessary to comply with this …

(1) Employers must develop and implement an emergency action plan. The emergency action plan must be in writing, in a language understood by the employee, (except as provided in subsection (5)(d) of this section) and must cover those designated actions employers and employees mus…

SummaryThis section applies to all waterfront operations in the workplace.Employers responsibility: To protect employees from waterfront operation hazards in the workplace.Employers must meet the requirements…in this section:SlingingWAC 296-56-60011Stacking of cargo and palletsWA…

(1) Employers must safely sling drafts before being hoisted. Loose dunnage or debris hanging or protruding from loads must be removed.(2) Employers must hoist bales of cotton, wool, cork, wood pulp, gunny bags, or similar articles only by straps strong enough to support the weigh…

Employers must stack cargo, pallets, and other material stored in tiers in such a manner as to provide stability against sliding and collapse.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60013, fil…

Employers must perform repair and reconditioning of damaged or leaking cargo packaging (coopering) so as not to endanger employees.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60015, filed 3/17/26,…

(1) Employers must not stow cargo or material or place vehicles where they obstruct the work surface, in order to provide safe access for handling lines while mooring and unmooring vessels.(2) Employers must install grab lines or rails on the sides of permanent structures when st…

WAC 296-56-60019 through 296-56-60041 apply to standard gauge railroad operations.(1) Employers must make sure work is performed in railcars only if floors of the railcars are in visibly safe condition for the work activity being conducted and the equipment being used.(2) Employe…

Employers must have each maintenance crew display and remove its own set of blue signals.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60021, filed 3/17/26, effective 4/20/26. Statutory Authority: R…

Employers must display a blue flag, bright colored flag or blue light at one or both ends of an engine, car or train to indicate that workers are under or about the railway equipment. When such warning devices are displayed, the equipment must not be coupled to or moved. On a dea…

Employers must not place equipment which could obscure signals on the track.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60025, filed 3/17/26, effective 4/20/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010,…

Employers must employ a clearly audible warning system when cars are being moved in areas where workers may be in the vicinity of the tracks. When the audible warning signal might not be heard above the surrounding noises, a person must be delegated and stationed close enough to …

Employers must have a person charged with the responsibility to warn of an approaching switch of the railway car or cars when persons are required to work between railway cars, underneath railway cars or in areas where switching is done, unless other reasonable and practical safe…

Employers must have the locomotive engineer sound an audible whistle, horn or bell to give adequate warning prior to switching across any road crossing. Whenever cars are pushed with a locomotive, a signalman must be located at the crossing to give signals in conjunction with oth…

Employers must not use flying switches when switching railroad equipment in congested areas or across roadways or walkways.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60033, filed 3/17/26, effecti…

Employers must not stack or pile materials closer than eight and one-half feet from the center line of the railroad tracks.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60035, filed 3/17/26, effecti…

Employers must use a railway car plate whenever workers are required to move cargo into or out of a railway car that meets the following specifications:(1) All car plates must be strong enough to carry maximum loads with a safety factor of three.(2) All car plates must be provide…

(1) Employers must use portable and powered dockboards strong enough to carry the load imposed.(2) Employers must secure portable dockboards in position, either by being anchored or equipped with devices which will prevent movement.(3) Employers must design, construct, and mainta…

(1) Employers must ensure that structures (bunks) used to contain logs have rounded corners and rounded structural parts to avoid sling damage.(2) Employers must have two or more binders or equivalently safe means of containment on logging trucks and railcars to secure logs durin…

Employers must not move barges and railcars by cargo runners (running rigging) from vessel cargo booms, cranes or other equipment not suitable for the purpose.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s …

(1) Employers must provide crane operators, when practical and safe, with a radio or telephone to be in contact with the signalman or crane chaser in those cases where a signalman or crane chaser is required.(2) Employers must make sure cargo handling operations are not carried o…

Employers must prohibit open fires and fires in drums or similar containers.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60047, filed 3/17/26, effective 4/20/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010,…

SummaryThis section applies to all machines in the workplace.Employers responsibility: To protect employees from hazardous atmospheres and materials in the workplace.Employers must meet the requirements…in this section:Hazardous cargoWAC 296-56-60049Handling explosives or hazardo…

(1) Employers must ascertain whether any hazardous cargo is to be handled and must determine the nature of the hazard before cargo handling operations begin. Employers must inform employees of the nature of any hazard and any special precautions to be taken to prevent employee ex…

(1) Employers must thoroughly inform all workers handling explosive or other hazardous material which is properly labeled pursuant to the Washington State Labeling Code, chapters 296-62 and 296-64 WAC, promulgated by the department of labor and industries; or the Explosive Act, c…

(1) Purpose and scope.Important:This section covers areas where a hazardous atmosphere or substance may exist, except where one or more of the following sections apply:1.WAC 296-56-60049 Hazardous cargo2.WAC 296-56-60051 Handling explosives or hazardous materials3.WAC 296-56-6005…

(1) The carbon monoxide content of the atmosphere in a room, building, vehicle, railcar or any enclosed space must be maintained below 50 parts per million (0.005%) as an eight-hour average area level. Employees must be removed from the enclosed space if the carbon monoxide conce…

(1) Employers must make a determination as to whether a hazardous atmosphere is present whenever cargo in a space is or has been stowed, handled, or treated with a fumigant, pesticide, insecticide, or hazardous preservative. Only employees protected as required in subsection (5) …

SummaryThis section applies to all cargo handling gear and equipment in the workplace.Employers responsibility: To protect employees from cargo handling gear and equipment hazards in the workplace.Employers must meet the requirement…in this section:House fallsWAC 296-56-60071Misc…

(1) Employers must secure span beams to prevent accidental dislodgement.(2) Employers must provide a safe means of access for employees working with house fall blocks.(3) Employers must have designated employees inspect chains, links, shackles, swivels, blocks and other loose gea…

(1) Employers must meet the following requirements for routine inspections:(a) At the completion of each use, loose gear such as slings, chains, bridles, blocks, and hooks must be so placed as to avoid damage to the gear. Loose gear must be inspected and any defects corrected bef…

(1) Employers must make sure all pallets and cargo boards are of such material and construction as to safely support and carry loads being handled.(2) Employers must make sure all cargo boards are sheathed (decked) top and bottom with the top sheathing being of two-inch lumber an…

(1) This section applies to every type of powered industrial truck used for material or equipment handling within a marine terminal. Employers must comply with the provisions of chapter 296-863 WAC and this section. It does not apply to over-the-road vehicles.(2) Employers must m…

(1) The requirements of this section apply to general vehicle use within marine terminals except in cases where the provisions of subsections (3) and (13) of this section are preempted by regulations of the department of transportation.(2) Employers must allow private vehicle par…

Employers must make sure servicing of multipiece and single-piece rim wheels in marine terminal and other maritime work locations on large vehicles is regulated by requirements of chapter 296-864 WAC, Split (multipiece) rim and single-piece rim wheels.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49…

(1) Scope and application. The sections of this chapter, WAC 296-56-60083 through 296-56-60099, apply to cranes, derricks, and crane operations.All forms and applications related to crane operations may be requested from the department or are available on the website at https://l…

(1) Employers must fit every crane with a load indicating device or alternative device in proper working condition, except as provided in subsection (8) of this section. The type or model or any load indicating or alternate device which is used must provide:(a) A direct indicatio…

(1) Employers must guard moving winch parts which present hazards to employees.(2) Employers must make sure winches have clearly identifiable and readily accessible stop controls.(3) Employers must secure portable winches against accidental shifting while in use.(4) Employers mus…

(1) Employers must meet the following requirements for guards:(a) Danger zones at or adjacent to conveyors must be guarded to protect employees.(b) An elevated walkway with guardrail or equivalent means of protection must be provided where employees cross over moving conveyors. S…

(1) Employers must inspect standing and running rigging and associated gear used as a permanent part of spouts, chutes or similar devices before each use and must not be used if it has any functional defects. (See WAC 296-56-60093 for certification requirements.)(2) Employers mus…

(1) Employers must not use any material handling device listed in WAC 296-56-60098(8) until the employer has ascertained that the device has been certified, as evidenced by current and valid documents attesting to compliance with the requirements of WAC 296-56-60097 and 296-56-60…

(1) Any person desiring a certificate of competency for crane inspection or certification must make application to the assistant director of the division of occupational safety and health for the certificate of competency. The application must include documentation of all qualifi…

(1) Employers must make sure cranes and derricks are proof load tested, rated and certified in tons (2,000 lbs. = 1 ton). Cranes and derricks must be inspected and unit proof load tested prior to being put into use, after any significant modification or repairs of structural part…

(1) Employers must carry out an examination in conjunction with each annual unit proof load test. The accredited person, or their authorized representative, must make a determination as to correction of deficiencies found. The examination must include the following: (Refer to WAC…

(1) Employers must maintain hand tools used by employees in safe operating condition.(2) Employers must make sure hand-held portable electric tools are equipped with switches that must be manually held in a closed position to operate the tool.(a) Portable power-driven circular sa…

SummaryThis section applies to all specialized terminals in the workplace.Employers responsibility: To protect employees from hazards in specialized terminals in the workplace.Employers must meet the requirements…in this section:GeneralWAC 296-56-60101Terminals handling intermoda…