Washington Administrative Code
Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of
Chapter 296-78 - Safety standards for sawmills and woodworking operations
Section 296-78-71015 - Tanks and chemicals
Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) All open vats and tanks into which workers may fall must be guarded with standard railings or screen guards in all cases where such guarding is possible with regard to practical operation.
(2) Foundations of elevated tanks must be accessible for inspections. When the tank platform is more than five feet above the ground a stairway or ladder must be permanently attached.
(3) Every open tank over five feet in height must be equipped with fixed standard ladders both inside and out, extending from the bottom to the rim of the tank arranged to be accessible to each other, so far as local conditions permit.
(4) The use of chemicals for treating of lumber for prevention of sap stain or mold or as preservatives, must conform to the requirements of chapter 296-835 WAC, Dipping and coating operations (dip tanks).
(5) Means must be provided and used to collect any excess of chemicals used in treating lumber so as to protect workers from accidental contact with harmful concentrations of toxic chemicals or fumes.
(6) Where workers are engaged in the treating of lumber with chemicals or are required to handle lumber or other materials so treated, the workers must be provided with, at no cost to the worker, and required to use such protective equipment that will provide complete protection against contact with toxic chemicals or fumes therefrom.
(7) Sanitation requirements. The requirements of WAC 296-800-220 and 296-800-230 (safety and health core rules), must govern sanitation practices.
(8) The sides of steam vats and soaking pits, unless otherwise guarded , must extend forty-two inches above the floor level. The floor adjacent thereto must be of nonslip construction.
(9) Large steam vats or soaking pits, divided into sections, must be provided with substantial walkways between each section, each walkway to be provided with standard railings which may be removable if necessary.
(10) Covers must be removed only from that portion of the steaming vats on which workers are working and a portable railing must be placed at this point to protect the operators.
(11) Workers must not ride or step on logs in steam vats.
Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 07-05-062, § 296-78-71015, filed 2/20/07, effective 4/1/07; 05-20-055, § 296-78-71015, filed 10/3/05, effective 12/1/05; 05-03-093, § 296-78-71015, filed 1/18/05, effective 3/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, and 49.17.050. 02-15-102, § 296-78-71015, filed 7/17/02, effective 10/1/02; 01-11-038, § 296-78-71015, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 96-17-056, § 296-78-71015, filed 8/20/96, effective 10/15/96; 94-20-057 (Order 94-16), § 296-78-71015, filed 9/30/94, effective 11/20/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-78-71015, filed 8/27/81.