Section 296-45-285. Hand, and portable powered tools.

(1) General requirements.

(a) The employer shall assure that each hand and portable powered tool, including any tool provided by an employee, is maintained in serviceable condition.

(b) The employer shall assure that each tool, including any tool provided by an employee, is inspected before initial use during each workshift. At a minimum, the inspection shall include the following:

(i) Handles and guards, to assure that they are sound, tight-fitting, properly shaped, free of splinters and sharp edges, and in place;

(ii) Controls, to assure proper function;

(iii) Heads of shock, impact-driven and driving tools, to assure that there is no mushrooming;

(iv) Cutting edges, to assure that they are sharp and properly shaped; and

(v) All other safety devices, to assure that they are in place and function properly.

(c) The employer shall assure that each tool is used only for purposes for which it has been designed.

(d) When the head of any shock, impact-driven or driving tool begins to chip, it shall be repaired or removed from service.

(e) The cutting edge of each tool shall be sharpened in accordance with manufacturer's specifications whenever it becomes dull during the workshift.

(f) Each tool shall be stored in the provided location when not being used at a work site.

(g) Racks, boxes, holsters or other means shall be provided, arranged and used for the transportation of tools so that a hazard is not created for any vehicle operator or passenger.

(2) Electric equipment connected by cord and plug must meet the following requirements:

(a) Cord- and plug-connected equipment supplied by premises wiring is covered by chapter 296-24 WAC, Part L and WAC 296-800-280.

(b) Any cord- and plug-connected equipment supplied by other than premises wiring shall comply with one of the following instead of chapter 296-24 WAC, Part L and WAC 296-800-280:

(i) It shall be equipped with a cord containing an equipment grounding conductor connected to the tool frame and to a means for grounding the other end (however, this option may not be used where the introduction of the ground into the work environment increases the hazard to an employee); or

(ii) It shall be of the double-insulated type conforming to chapter 296-24 WAC, Part L and WAC 296-800-280; or

(iii) It shall be connected to the power supply through an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary.

(3) Portable and vehicle-mounted generators. Portable and vehicle-mounted generators used to supply cord- and plug-connected equipment shall meet the following requirements:

(a) The generator may only supply equipment located on the generator or the vehicle and cord- and plug-connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the generator or the vehicle.

(b) The noncurrent-carrying metal parts of equipment and the equipment grounding conductor terminals of the receptacles shall be bonded to the generator frame.

(c) In the case of vehicle-mounted generators, the frame of the generator shall be bonded to the vehicle frame.

(d) Any neutral conductor shall be bonded to the generator frame.

(4) Hydraulic and pneumatic tools must meet the following requirements:

(a) Safe operating pressures for hydraulic and pneumatic tools, hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and fittings may not be exceeded.

Note:	If any hazardous defects are present, no operating pressure would be safe, and the hydraulic or pneumatic equipment involved may not be used. In the absence of defects, the maximum rated operating pressure is the maximum safe pressure.

(b) A hydraulic or pneumatic tool used where it may contact exposed live parts shall (use nonconductive hoses and) be designed and maintained for such use.

(c) The hydraulic system supplying a hydraulic tool used where it may contact exposed live parts shall provide protection against loss of insulating value for the voltage involved due to the formation of a partial vacuum in the hydraulic line.

Note:	Hydraulic lines without check valves having a separation of more than 35 feet (10.7 m) between the oil reservoir and the upper end of the hydraulic system promote the formation of a partial vacuum.

(d) A pneumatic tool used on energized electric lines or equipment or used where it may contact exposed live parts shall provide protection against the accumulation of moisture in the air supply.

(e) Pressure shall be released before connections are broken, unless quick acting, self-closing connectors are used. Hoses may not be kinked.

(f) Employees may not use any part of their bodies to locate or attempt to stop a hydraulic leak.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-038, § 296-45-285, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. WSR 98-07-009, § 296-45-285, filed 3/6/98, effective 5/6/98.]

RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-038, § 296-45-285, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. WSR 98-07-009, § 296-45-285, filed 3/6/98, effective 5/6/98.

Rules

296-24,296-800-280,296-24,296-800-280,296-24,296-800-280,