The first three digits of the WAC (296) are the title. The second three digits are the chapter (307). The third number group is the section, which may have three or five digits. The fourth and fifth digits are treated as if there were a decimal point after the third digit.

For example: Section 330 of this chapter includes all five-digit sections whose number begins with 330.

Sections may be further divided as indicated below.

Note: The chapter is also divided into "parts" according to subject, to make it easier to find the information needed.

(1) Chapter 296-307 WAC applies to all agricultural operations with one or more employees covered by the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), chapter 49.17 RCW.

The term "agriculture" means farming and include, but is not limited to:

(a) The cultivation and tillage of the soil;

(b) Dairying;

(c) The production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural or horticultural commodity;

(d) The raising of livestock, bees, fur-bearing animals, or poultry; and

(e) Any practices performed by a farmer or on a farm, incident to or in connection with such farming operations including, but not limited to, preparation for market and delivery to:

(i) Storage;

(ii) Market; or

(iii) Carriers for transportation to market. Agricultural operations include, but are not limited to, all employers in one or more of the following industries:

Wheat;

Corn;

Cash grains not elsewhere classified, barley, peas, lentils, oats, etc.;

Sugar cane and sugar beets;

Irish potatoes - All potatoes except yams;

Field crops - Hay, hops, mint, etc.;

Vegetables and melons, all inclusive;

All berry crops;

Grapes;

Tree nuts;

Deciduous tree fruits;

Tree fruits or tree nuts not elsewhere classified;

Ornamental floriculture and nursery products;

Food crops grown under cover;

General farms, primarily crops;

Beef cattle feedlots;

Beef cattle except feedlots - Cattle ranches;

Hogs;

Sheep and goats;

General livestock except dairy and poultry;

Dairy farms;

Broiler, fryer, and roaster chickens;

Chicken eggs;

Turkeys and turkey eggs;

Poultry hatcheries;

Poultry and eggs not elsewhere classified;

Fur bearing animals and rabbits;

Horses;

Animal aquaculture;

Animal specialties not elsewhere classified;

General farms, primarily livestock and animal specialties;

Soil preparation services;

Crop planting, cultivating, and protecting;

Crop harvesting, primarily by machine;

Livestock services, except veterinary;

Farm labor contractors;

Timber tracts, Christmas tree growing, tree farms;

Forest nurseries;

Forestry services - Reforestation.

The term "agriculture" does not mean a farmer's processing for sale or handling for sale a commodity or product grown or produced by a person other than the farmer or the farmer's employees.

(2) Chapter 296-24 WAC does not apply to agricultural operations.

(3) All agricultural operations are also covered by the requirements of chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards, and chapter 296-901 WAC, Globally harmonized system for hazard communication.

(4) Occasionally, employees engaged in agricultural operations may also be covered by the safety standards of other industries. Following are excerpts from four industry standards that may help you determine if these other standards also apply:

This standard establishes safety practices, means, methods and operations for all types of logging, regardless of the end use of the wood. These types of activities include, but are not limited to, pulpwood and timber harvesting and the logging of sawlogs, veneer bolts, poles, pilings and other forest products. The requirements herein contained do not apply to log handling at sawmills, plywood mills, pulp mills or other manufacturing operations governed by their own specific safety standards.

(1) WAC 296-99-010 through 296-99-070 apply to:

• Dry grinding operations of soycake;

• Dry grinding operations of soycake;

• Dust pelletizing plants;

• Feed mills;

• Flour mills;

• Flat storage structures;

• Grain elevators;

• Rice mills; and

• Soybean flaking operations.

(2) WAC 296-99-075, 296-99-080, and 296-99-085 apply only to grain elevators.

(3) Chapter 296-99 WAC does not apply to alfalfa storage or processing operations if they do not use grain products.

The chapter 296-78 WAC shall apply to and include safety requirements for all installations where the primary manufacturing of wood building products takes place. The installations may be a permanent fixed establishment or a portable operation. These operations shall include but are not limited to log and lumber handling, sawing, trimming and planing, plywood or veneer manufacturing, canting operations, waste or residual handling, operation of dry kilns, finishing, shipping, storage, yard and yard equipment, and for power tools and affiliated equipment used in connection with such operation. WAC 296-78-450 shall apply to shake and shingle manufacturing. The provisions of WAC 296-78-500 through 296-78-84011 are also applicable in shake and shingle manufacturing except in instances of conflict with the requirements of WAC 296-78-705.

The standards included in this chapter apply throughout the state of Washington, to any and all work places subject to the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (chapter 49.17 RCW), where construction, alteration, demolition, related inspection, and/or maintenance and repair work, including painting and decorating, is performed. These standards are minimum safety requirements with which all industries must comply when engaged in the above listed types of work.

(5) If rules in this chapter conflict with rules in another chapter of Title 296 WAC, this chapter prevails.

Approved. Approved by the director of the department of labor and industries, or by another organization designated by the department. Also means listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

Authorized person. Someone you have approved to perform specific duties or to be at a specific location on the job site.

Biological agents. Organisms or their by-products.

Chemical agents (airborne or contact). A chemical agent is any of the following:

(a) Airborne chemical agent which is any of the following:

(i) Dust. Solid particles suspended in air, generated by handling, drilling, crushing, grinding, rapid impact, detonation, or decrepitation of organic or inorganic materials such as rock, ore, metal, coal, wood, grain, etc.

(ii) Fume. Solid particles suspended in air, generated by condensation from the gaseous state, generally after volatilization from molten metals, etc., and often accompanied by a chemical reaction such as oxidation.

(iii) Gas. A normally formless fluid that can be changed to the liquid or solid state by the effect of increased pressure or decreased temperature or both.

(iv) Mist. Liquid droplets suspended in air, generated by condensation from the gaseous to the liquid state or by breaking up a liquid into a dispersed state, such as by splashing, foaming or atomizing.

(v) Vapor. The gaseous form of a substance that is normally in the solid or liquid state.

(b) Contact chemical agent which is any of the following:

(i) Corrosives. Substances that in contact with living tissue cause destruction of the tissue by chemical action.

(ii) Irritants. Substances that on immediate, prolonged, or repeated contact with normal living tissue will induce a local inflammatory reaction.

(iii) Toxicants. Substances that have the inherent capacity to produce personal injury or illness to individuals by absorption through any body surface.

Department. The department of labor and industries. When this chapter refers to "we" or "us," it means labor and industries staff responsible for enforcing the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).

Director. The director of the department of labor and industries, or a designated representative.

Employee. Someone providing personal labor in the business of the employer, including anyone providing personal labor under an independent contract.

Employer. A business entity having one or more employees. Also, any person, partnership, or business entity with no employees but having industrial insurance coverage is both an employer and an employee.

Hazard. A condition that can cause injury, death, or occupational disease.

Listed. Listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

Must. Mandatory.

Nationally recognized testing laboratory. See 29 C.F.R. 1910.7 (federal OSHA requirements).

(a) Any substance intended to prevent, destroy, control, repel, or mitigate any insect, rodent, snail, slug, fungus, weed, and any other form of plant or animal life or virus, except virus on or in a living person or other animal which is normally considered to be a pest or which the director may declare to be a pest;

(b) Any substance or mixture of substances intended to be used as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant; and

(c) Any spray adjuvant, such as a wetting agent, spreading agent, deposit builder, adhesive, emulsifying agent, deflocculating agent, water modifier, or similar agent with or without toxic properties of its own, intended to be used with any pesticide as an aid to its application or effect, and sold in a package or container separate from that of the pesticide with which it is to be used.

Safety factor. The ratio of the ultimate breaking strength of a piece of material or equipment to the actual working stress or safe load when in use.

Should or may. Recommended.

Standard safeguard. A device designed and constructed to remove a hazard related to the machine, appliance, tool, building, or equipment to which it is attached.

Working day. For appeals and accident reporting, means a calendar day, except Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays as defined by RCW 1.16.050. To compute the time within which an act is to be completed, exclude the first working day and include the last.

You. When this chapter refers to "you," it means the employer or a designated representative.

Whenever the department requires the employer to have equipment or processes approved by an organization such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the Bureau of Mines (MSHA), or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the approval of that organization is considered evidence of your compliance.

(1) The employer must provide a safe and healthful working environment.

(2) The employer must ensure that employees do not use defective or unsafe tools and equipment, including tools and equipment that may be furnished by the employee.

(3) The employer must implement a written accident prevention program as required by these standards.

(4) The employer must implement a hazard communication program as required by WAC 296-307-550.

(5) The employer must establish a system for complying with chapter 296-27 WAC for recording work-related injuries and illnesses and reporting to the department any work-related fatality, inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. In addition, the employer must also report to the department within eight hours after any work-related incident that results in injury or illness from acute pesticide exposure.

(6) The employer must follow the requirements for accident investigations in WAC 296-800-320.

(7) The employer must provide safety education and training programs.

(8) The employer must implement the requirements of WAC 296-62-074 through 296-62-07451 to ensure the safety of employees who are exposed to cadmium in the workplace.

(9) The employer must implement the requirements of WAC 296-307-642 through 296-307-656 to ensure the safety of employees who are exposed to confined spaces in the workplace.

(10) The employer must control chemical agents.

(a) The employer must control chemical agents in a manner that they will not present a hazard to workers; or

(b) The employer must protect workers from the hazard of contact with, or exposure to, chemical agents.

(11) Protect employees from biological agents. The employer must protect employees from exposure to hazardous concentrations of biological agents that may result from processing, handling or using materials or waste.

(1) Employees must cooperate with the employer and other employees in efforts to eliminate accidents.

(2) Employees must be informed of and observe all safe practices.

(3) Employees must notify the employer of unsafe conditions of equipment or workplaces.

(4) Employees must use all required safety devices and protective equipment.

(5) Employees must not willfully damage personal protective equipment.

(6) Each employee must promptly report any job-related injury or illness to his or her immediate supervisor, regardless of the degree of severity.

(7) Employees must not engage in any activity unrelated to work that may cause injury to other employees during the course of performing work assignments.

(8) Employees must attend any required training and/or orientation programs designed to increase their competency in occupational safety and health.

(9) Employees must not report to work under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. Alcohol or controlled substances must not be brought on the worksite.

(1) If the employer finds that it is impractical to comply with specific requirements of this standard, the department may permit a variation from the requirements. However, the employer must still provide equal protection by substitute means and comply with the requirements of chapter 49.17 RCW and chapter 296-350 WAC, variances.

(2) On the variance application the employer must certify that a copy of the written application was posted in a place reasonably accessible to employees. The employer must also mail a copy of the application to any authorized employee representative. The notice must advise employees of their right to request the department to conduct a hearing on the variance application. The employer must notify employees before you apply.

(1) The employer must instruct all employees in safe working practices at the beginning of employment. Instruction must be tailored to the types of hazards to which employees are exposed.

(2) The employer must develop a written accident prevention program tailored to the needs of the employer's agricultural operation and to the types of hazards involved.

(3) The employer's accident prevention program must contain at least the following elements:

(a) How, when, and where to report injuries and illnesses, and the location of first-aid facilities.

(b) How to report unsafe conditions and practices.

(c) The use and care of personal protective equipment.

(d) What to do in emergencies. See WAC 296-307-35015 for emergency action plan requirements.

(e) Identification of hazardous chemicals or materials and the instruction for their safe use.

(f) An on-the-job review of the practices necessary to perform job assignments in a safe and healthful manner.

(4) At least once a month, the employer must conduct a walk-around safety inspection of active job sites, the materials and equipment involved, and operating procedures. A representative chosen by employees must be invited and allowed to accompany the employer.

(1) Foreman-crew safety meetings:

(a) Must be held at least monthly; or

(b) Whenever there are significant changes in job assignments.

(c) These meetings must be tailored to the particular operation or activity occurring at the time.

(2) The meeting minutes must document subjects discussed and attendance.

(3) Short-term operations that last less than one month, such as harvesting, do not require foreman-crew safety meetings but only require initial safety orientation for the operations.

(4) The employer must maintain copies of the minutes of each foreman-crew safety meeting at the location where the majority of employees report to work each day.

(5) The employer must retain minutes of foreman-crew safety meetings for one year and be able to show us copies if we ask to see them.

(1) The employer must provide a bulletin board or posting area large enough to display the required safety and health poster, "Job Safety and Health Protection" (F416-081-000), and other safety education material.

(2) The bulletin board must be readily visible in a place where employees gather during some part of the work day. (For example, at the entrance to a field, a parking area, or in a farm building.)

(3) If for any reason any employee is unable to read the notices posted on the bulletin board, the employer must ensure that the message of the required poster explaining employee rights is communicated to the employee in terms he or she understands. This same requirement applies to variance applications, denials or grants, and to any other notice affecting the employee's rights under WISHA.

(4) Posting must be in the employees' language.

Employer's responsibility: Make sure first-aid trained personnel are available to provide quick and effective first aid.

The employer can get copies of these rules by calling 1-800-4BE SAFE ( 1-800-423-7233), or by going to http://www.lni.wa.gov.

The employer must comply with the first-aid training requirements of 29 C.F.R. 1910.151(b) which states:

"In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first-aid supplies shall be readily available."

(1) The employer must make sure first-aid supplies are readily available. (See first-aid kit table.)

(2) The employer must make sure first-aid supplies in workplace are appropriate to:

(a) The employer's occupational setting.

(b) The response time of the employer's emergency medical services.

(3) The employer must make sure that first-aid supplies are:

(a) Easily accessible to all employees.

(b) Stored in containers that protect them from damage, deterioration, or contamination. Containers must be clearly marked, not locked, and may be sealed.

(c) Able to be moved to the location of an injured or acutely ill worker.

(1) The employer must provide an emergency shower:

(a) When there is potential for major portions of an employee's body to contact corrosives, strong irritants, or toxic chemicals.

(b) That delivers water to cascade over the user's entire body at a minimum rate of 20 gallons (75 liters) per minute for fifteen minutes or more.

(2) The employer must provide an emergency eyewash:

(a) When there is potential for an employee's eyes to be exposed to corrosives, strong irritants, or toxic chemicals.

(b) That irrigates and flushes both eyes simultaneously while the user holds their eyes open.

(c) With an on-off valve that activates in one second or less and remains on without user assistance until intentionally turned off.

(d) That delivers at least 0.4 gallons (1.5 liters) of water per minute for fifteen minutes or more.

(3) The employer must make sure emergency washing facilities:

(a) Are located so that it takes no more than ten seconds to reach;

(b) Are kept free of obstacles blocking their use;

(c) Function correctly; and

(d) Provide the quality and quantity of water that is satisfactory for emergency washing purposes.

(1) The employer must make sure all plumbed emergency washing facilities are inspected once a year to make sure they function correctly.

(2) The employer must make sure plumbed emergency eyewashes and hand-held drench hoses are activated weekly to check the proper functioning of the valves, hardware, and availability of water.

(3) The employer must make sure all self-contained eyewash equipment and personal eyewash units are inspected and maintained according to manufacturer instructions.

(a) Inspections to check proper operation must be done once a year.

(b) Sealed personal eyewashes must be replaced after the manufacturer's expiration date.

(1) The employer must make sure hand-held drench hoses deliver at least 3.0 gallons (11.4 liters) of water per minute for fifteen minutes or more.

(2) The employer must make sure personal eyewash equipment delivers only clean water or other medically approved eye flushing solutions.

Corrosive (as used in first aid, WAC 296-307-039). A substance that causes destruction of living tissue by chemical action, including acids with a pH of 2.5 or below or caustics with a pH of 11.0 or above.

Emergency washing facilities. Emergency washing facilities are emergency showers, eyewashes, eye/face washes, hand-held drench hoses, or other similar units.

Hand-held drench hoses. Hand-held drench hoses are single-headed emergency washing devices connected to a flexible hose that can be used to irrigate and flush the face or other body parts.

Personal eyewash units. Personal eyewash units are portable, supplementary units that support plumbed units or self-contained units, or both, by delivering immediate flushing for less than fifteen minutes.

Strong irritant (as used in first aid, WAC 296-307-039). A chemical that is not corrosive, but causes a strong, temporary inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact.

Toxic chemical (as used in first aid, WAC 296-307-039). A chemical that produces serious injury or illness when absorbed through any body surface.

(1) The employer must furnish to each employee a place of employment free from recognized controllable hazards likely to cause serious injury or death.

(2) The employer must furnish and require employees to use any safety devices and safeguards that are needed to control recognized hazards. All agricultural methods, operations, and processes must be designed to promote the safety and health of employees.

(3) The employer must not require an employee to engage in any duty or enter any place that is not safe.

(4) The following are prohibited:

(a) Removing, displacing, damaging, destroying or carrying off any safety device, safeguard, notice or warning intended for use in any place of employment.

(b) Interfering in any way with the use of any safety device, method or process adopted for the protection of any employee.

(5) Intoxicating beverages or narcotics in or around worksites.

Employees under the influence of alcohol or narcotics are prohibited from the worksite.

(1) Using hoes with handles less than four feet long or any hand tool used for weeding or thinning crops in a stooped position, is prohibited.

(2) The employer must ensure that hand tools are in good condition. Using defective hand tools is prohibited.

(3) The employer must ensure that hand tools are stored safely when not in use.

(1) Ladders must be checked for defects before use, and thoroughly inspected periodically. Ladders must be inspected immediately in the following situations:

(a) If a ladder tips over, inspect for side rails dents or bends, or excessively dented rungs; check all rung-to-side-rail connections; check hardware connections; check rivets for shear.

(b) If a ladder is exposed to excessive heat, inspect visually for damage and test for deflection and strength characteristics. If the employer is unsure about the ladder's condition, seek help from the manufacturer.

(2) Ladders must be maintained in good condition at all times. Joints between steps and side rails must be tight. All hardware and fittings must be securely attached, and the moveable parts must operate freely without binding or with too much play.

(3) Defective ladders must be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged as "Dangerous—Do not use."

(4) Ladders with broken or missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment must not be used; improvised repairs must not be made.

(5) Ladders must be handled with care. Avoid unnecessary dropping, jarring, or misuse.

(6) Ladder storage must:

(a) Protect the ladder when not in use;

(b) Provide sufficient support to prevent excessive sagging;

(c) Provide ease of access or inspection; and

(d) Prevent danger of accidents when withdrawing a ladder for use.

(1) At the beginning of employment, the employer must provide employees with orientation and training on the proper use of ladders, including how to set a ladder and properly dismount with a full load.

(2) To prevent ladder upset, the employer must instruct employees to avoid overreaching while standing on the ladder.

(3) The employer must instruct employees that before climbing ladders; rungs, shoes, and boots must be clean of substances that would make them hazardous.

(4) Employees must not climb up or down ladders while carrying tools or materials that interfere with the free use of both hands.

(5) Ladders must not be placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.

(6) Stepladders must not be used as single ladders.

(7) When working from a ladder over twenty-five feet from the ground or floor, the ladder must be secured at both top and bottom. When work on a ladder over twenty-five feet from the ground or floor requires the use of both hands, a safety belt must be worn and the safety lanyard secured to the ladder.

(8) Portable ladders must be placed so that the side rails have a secure footing. The top rest for portable rung and cleat ladders must be reasonably rigid and strong enough to support the applied load. The top of the ladder must be placed with the two rails supported, unless equipped with a single support attachment. Such an attachment should be substantial and large enough to support the ladder under load.

(9) Ladders carried on vehicles should be adequately supported to avoid sagging and securely fastened in position to minimize chafing and the effects of road shocks.

(1) Orchard ladders longer than sixteen feet are prohibited.

(2) Standing on the top two steps of the orchard ladder is prohibited.

(3) Employers must instruct employees to not stand on the top two steps (the top cap and the next step down) of orchard ladders.

(4) Employers must instruct employees to not step off the ladder onto branches of trees except onto the main crotch.

(1) Ladders made by fastening cleats across a single rail are prohibited.

(2) Wood ladders, when not in use, should be stored where they will not be exposed to the elements, but where there is good ventilation. They must be stored away from radiators, stoves, steam pipes, or other excessive heat or dampness.

(3) Wooden ladders should be kept coated with a suitable protective material. Painted ladders are acceptable if the ladders are carefully inspected prior to painting by competent and experienced inspectors acting for, and responsible to, the purchaser, and if the ladders are not for resale.

(4) A ladder must have feet that are appropriate for the surface on which it will be used.

For example: A ladder used on a slippery surface must have steel points or other nonslip material on its feet.

(5) Ladders must not be placed in front of doors opening toward the ladder unless the door is blocked open, locked, or guarded.

(6) Ladder safety devices may be used on tower, water tank and chimney ladders over twenty feet long in place of cage protection. No landing platform is required in these cases. All ladder safety devices such as lifebelts, friction brakes, and sliding attachments must meet the design requirements of the ladders that they serve.

(7) See chapter 296-307 WAC Part K for requirements related to working near overhead lines.

Job-made ladder. A ladder that the employer or employees build.

Job-made ladders must meet the following requirements:

(1) All cleats must be made of one-by-four-inch nominal lumber, or stronger.

(2) Cleats must be inset into the edges of side rails to a depth of one-half inch, or filler blocks must be used on the rails between the cleats.

(3) Each cleat must be fastened to each rail with three 8d common wire nails or other fasteners of equal strength.

(4) Cleats must be uniformly spaced approximately 12 inches from the top of one cleat to the top of the next.

(5) Side rails must be continuous, unless splices develop the full strength of a continuous rail of equal length.

(1) Employees must be prohibited from entering any bin, bunker, hopper, or similar area when loose materials (such as chips, sand, grain, gravel, sawdust, etc.) may collapse, unless the employee wears a safety belt with a lifeline attached and is attended by a helper.

(2) When employees are required to work in a trench or a pit 4 feet deep or more, the trench or the pit must be shored or sloped according to the following table:

(3) Each soil and rock deposit must be classified by a competent person as Stable Rock, Type A, B, or C according to the definitions in WAC 296-155-66401.

Competent person. Someone who is able to identify working conditions that are hazardous to employees, and has authority to take prompt action to eliminate the hazards.

(4) Classification of the deposits must be based on the results of at least one visual and at least one manual analysis. The analyses must be conducted by a competent person using tests in recognized methods of soil classification and testing such as those adopted by the American Society for Testing Materials, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture textural classification system.

(1) The employer must ensure that all farm tractors and other slow-moving farm vehicles and equipment used on public roads have lamps, reflectors, and a slow-moving vehicle emblem. From one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, slow-moving vehicles must have lights and reflectors.

(2) The slow-moving vehicle emblem is a fluorescent yellow-orange triangle with a dark red reflective border. (See figure.) The emblem must be used on public roads only by vehicles designed to move slowly (25 M.P.H. or less).

(1) The employer must maintain all motor vehicles and their parts in good repair and safe condition.

(2) The employer must not use tires that are worn beyond the point of safety.

(3) Employees must report to the employer any motor vehicle or other farm equipment that is in unsafe operating condition. The employer must ensure that the vehicle or equipment is removed from service and repaired before use.

(4) Before an employee performs service or repair work under hydraulic or mechanical raised dump truck beds, blades, discs, or other equipment, the raised portion of the equipment must be manually pinned or blocked to prevent falling.

(1) Vehicles must be driven at safe operating speed.

(2) Truck drivers must operate equipment at a safe speed for roadway conditions.

(3) When an employee backing a truck has obstructed vision, the employee must be assisted by a signaler. The signaler must have a clear view of the rear of the truck and the operator of the truck.

(4) Truck drivers must sound their horn before starting to back, and intermittently while backing.

(5) Shut off motors before refueling. Take care to prevent fuel from spilling on hot parts.

Only qualified drivers may operate motor vehicles and must have a current motor vehicle operator's license.

(1) The employer must ensure that motor vehicles have brakes that will safely hold the maximum load on maximum grades.

(2) Trucks parked on an incline must have the steered wheels turned into the curb and must have at least one "driver" wheel chocked on each side, independent of the braking system.

(3) The employer must ensure that trailers have working air brakes, or another approved type. Air must be cut into the trailer brake system at the time that the trailer is coupled to the truck.

(4) The driver must test truck and trailer brakes before driving down a steep grade.

(1) The employer must ensure that employees load and unload motor vehicles safely.

(2) All loads transported on trucks or truck and trailer combinations must be properly secured and distributed. Loads must not exceed the safe operating load for the roadway condition and the capacity of the bridges, trestles, and other structures.

All motor vehicles must have standard lights, horn, flags, flares, and other safety equipment that conforms to the state of Washington motor vehicles laws.

The employer must ensure that motor vehicles used regularly to transport employees meet the following requirements:

(1) The vehicles are well equipped, covered against the weather, and maintained in good mechanical condition at all times.

(2) A sufficient number of properly secured seats are provided in each vehicle to accommodate the number of employees transported. When emergency conditions make it necessary to transport more employees than the seating capacity can accommodate, all employees must ride within the vehicle. No employee may ride on fenders or running boards of the vehicle.

(3) No employees may ride in or on any vehicle with their legs hanging over the end or sides. All trucks without tail gates should have safety bars.

(4) The vehicles have storage strong enough to retain sharp tools that could present a hazard to employees being transported.

(5) All dump-trucks used to transport employees have an adequate safety chain or locking device to ensure that the body of the truck is not raised while employees are riding in it.

(6) Explosives or highly inflammable materials are not carried in or on the vehicle while it is used to transport employees.

(7) Exhaust systems are installed and maintained in proper condition, and are designed to eliminate the employee exposure to exhaust gases and fumes.

(8) Within the cab, crew trucks must carry only the number of passengers for which they are designed. In any seating arrangement, the driver must be able to maintain full freedom of motion. The driver's normal vision must be free from obstruction by passengers or the seating arrangement.

(9) All enclosed crew trucks have an emergency exit in addition to the regular entrance.

(10) Trucks used for hauling gravel may be used as crew trucks if they meet the following requirements:

(a) Steps in proper places;

(b) Wooden floors;

(c) Securely fastened seats;

(d) Truck is properly covered; and

(e) Compliance with all other general regulations covering crew trucks.

(11) Half-ton vehicles must haul no more than six persons including driver. Three-quarter-ton vehicles must haul no more than eight persons including driver.

(12) The vehicle is equipped with the first-aid supplies required by WAC 296-307-03920, two blankets, and a fire extinguisher.

(13) Heating units with open fires are not used in vehicles transporting crews.

(1) Battery changing installations must be located in areas designated for that purpose.

(2) Facilities must be provided for:

(a) Flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte;

(b) Fire protection;

(c) Protecting charging apparatus from damage by trucks; and

(d) Adequate ventilation of fumes from gassing batteries.

(3) Racks used to support batteries should be made of or covered with materials that will not create sparks.

(4) A conveyor, overhead hoist, or equivalent material handling equipment must be provided for handling batteries.

(5) Reinstalled batteries must be properly positioned and secured in the vehicle.

(6) A carboy tilter or siphon must be provided for handling electrolyte.

(7) When mixing water and acid for charging batteries, pour acid into water; do not pour water into acid.

(8) Vehicles must be properly positioned and the brake applied before attempting to change or charge batteries.

(9) When charging batteries, the vent caps should be kept in place to avoid electrolyte spray. The employer must ensure that vent caps function. The battery (or compartment) cover(s) must be open for cooling.

(10) Precautions must be taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas.

(11) Tools and other metallic objects must be kept away from the tops of uncovered batteries.

Farm field equipment. Tractors or implements, including self-propelled implements, used in agricultural operations.

(1) All power transmission components must be guarded according to WAC 296-307-280.

(2) The manufacturer's instruction manual, if published by the manufacturer and currently available, must be the source of information for the safe operation and maintenance of field equipment.

(3) The employer must ensure that all power takeoff shafts, including rear, mid-mounted or side-mounted shafts, are guarded by a master shield, as follows:

(a) The rear power takeoff has a master shield. The master shield is strong enough to prevent permanent deformation of the shield when a 250-pound operator mounts or dismounts the tractor using the shield as a step.

(b) Power takeoff driven equipment is guarded to prevent employee contact with rotating members of the power drive system. When the tractor master shield must be removed to use specific power takeoff driven equipment, the equipment must provide protection from the part of the tractor power takeoff shaft that protrudes from the tractor.

(c) Signs are placed at prominent locations on the tractor and on power takeoff driven equipment requiring that safety shields are kept in place.

(4) The following functional components must be shielded to a degree consistent with the intended function and operator's vision of the component:

(a) Snapping or husking rolls;

(b) Straw spreaders and choppers;

(c) Cutterbars;

(d) Flail rotors;

(e) Rotary beaters;

(f) Mixing augers;

(g) Feed rolls;

(h) Conveying augers;

(i) Rotary tillers; and

(j) Similar units that must be exposed for proper function.

(5) Where removing a guard or access door will expose an employee to any component that continues to rotate after the power is disengaged, the employer must provide, in the immediate area:

(a) A safety sign warning the employee to look and listen for evidence of rotation and to wait until all components have stopped before removing the guard or access door.

(b) A readily visible or audible warning of rotation on equipment manufactured after October 25, 1976.

(6) If the mounting steps or ladder and the handholds of the propelling vehicle are made inaccessible by installation of other equipment, other steps and handholds must be provided on the equipment.

(7) The employer must ensure that the operator's steps and platform have a slip-resistant covering to minimize the possibility of slipping.

(8) Powered machines not driven by an individual motor must have a clutch or other effective means of stopping.

(9) All friction clutches must have sufficient clearance and be kept adjusted to prevent drag or creeping when disengaged.

All agricultural tractors manufactured after October 25, 1976, must meet the requirements of WAC 296-307-080. An agricultural tractor manufactured on or before October 25, 1976, must meet the requirements of WAC 296-307-080 if:

(1) The tractor was built or sold with rollover protective structures (ROPS) as an optional accessory; or

(2) According to the manufacturer, the tractor was designed to accommodate the addition of ROPS.