The requirements of WAC 296-304-200 through 296-304-20025 must be strictly observed: Provided, however, that in cases of practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship, the director in his discretion may grant exemptions or variations from any provision in that section.

(1) Except as otherwise noted in this section, all functions required by WAC 296-304-200 through 296-304-20025 must be carried out by or under the supervision of a person accredited for the purpose or by his authorized representative.

(2) All required unit proof load tests must be carried out by the use of weights as a dead load. Only where this is not possible may dynamometers or other recording test equipment be used. Any such recording test equipment owned by an accredited person must have been tested for accuracy within the 6 months next preceding application for accreditation or renewal thereof. Such test must be performed with calibrating equipment which has been checked in turn so that indications are traceable to the U.S. Bureau of Standards. A copy of test reports must accompany the accreditation application. Where test equipment is not the property of the accredited person, that person must not issue any certificate based upon the use of such equipment unless its owner has made available a certificate of accuracy based on the requirements of this section, obtained within the year prior to such use, and stating the errors of the equipment. In any event reasonable standards of accuracy must be met and proof loads adjusted as necessary.

(3) The qualifications of any person appointed or recognized by any accredited person for the purpose of carrying out certification functions must meet with the approval of the director.

(4) WAC 296-304-15001 (5) and (7) and 296-304-15003 must govern, to the extent applicable, persons accredited under WAC 296-304-180 through 296-304-18003.