Section 296-54-59710. Railroad construction and maintenance.

(1) All construction must be according to safe logging practices as to size of rails, ties, track accessories and methods of installing same.

(2) Rail guards must be placed on main lines and spurs, consistent with the type of traffic and general local conditions.

(3) Rail anchors of approved design must be installed wherever practicable.

(4) Frogs, switches, and guard rail ends must have either patent or wooden foot guard blocking installed.

(5) Slip plates must be used under all switches and switch points.

(6) All above ground wire for permanent telegraph or telephone lines used for dispatching must be well strung on insulators and must be clear of the ground and obstructions.

(7) Where telephone lines are strung under or near power lines, foot stools mounted on insulators in front of telephone boxes must be used, unless other protection is provided, which affords a substantially equivalent measure of safety.

(8) Foundations, pile trestles, framed bent trestles, mud sills, or other framework of all structures must be adequate to support the maximum imposed loads without exceeding the maximum safe working unit stresses.

(a) The structure must be maintained in good condition and repair.

(b) The structure must be inspected at least annually by a qualified person.

(c) The employer must maintain records of the inspections and make the records available to the department on request.

(9) Outside wooden guard rails must be installed on all railroad bridges except that outside wooden rails will not be required where inside steel guard rails are used;

(a) They must extend not less than six inches above the top of the ties and must be bolted or spiked to ties at intervals of not more than five feet; and

(b) Spacer blocks must be used unless ties are spiked to stringers, or guard rails are dapped to avoid need for spacer blocks.

(10) Guard rails must extend at least six inches above the top of the ties and are bolted or spiked to ties at maximum intervals of five feet. Spacer blocks must be used unless ties are spiked to stringers, or guard rails are dapped to avoid need for spacer blocks.

(11) Regular bridge ties of not less than ten feet in length must be used on all railroad bridges constructed after the effective date of these standards.

(12) Trestles and bridges longer than two hundred fifty feet must have safety platforms with safe standing space for two persons installed. The platforms must be spaced so that a person on the trestle or bridge is never more than one hundred twenty-five feet from a safety platform or the end of the bridge or structure.

(13) All railroad bridges and trestles used regularly as footways must have a plank walkway between the rails that is at least twelve inches wide and two inches thick. The walkway must extend from end to end of the bridge or trestle.

(14) A suitable substantial walkway at least three feet wide with handrail must be installed on bridges or trestles where train crews must perform routine inspection or repair work on trains. Substantial platforms and handrails must be provided where switches are located on bridges or trestles. Adequate clearance must be allowed for the throw of the switch.

(15) All dangerous trees, snags or brush must be cleared a safe distance from both sides of the track. Any obstruction that will create a transportation hazard must be removed.

(16) Material must be provided that will promote secure footing at places alongside the track where employees customarily perform duties, such as inspecting loads, setting brakes by hand, or throwing switches.

(17) The distance between any main tracks and a side track must allow a clearance of four feet between bunk ends and locomotive cabs.

(18) The following clearances must be maintained:

(a) At least eight feet horizontal clearance on each side of the center line of standard gauge mainline railroads; and

(b) At least twenty-two feet vertical clearance above the top of each rail (according to standard railroad engineering practices).

(19) Derailers must be installed as follows:

(a) Derailers must be installed and used on all landings, passing tracks, and spurs where cars are left on a grade.

(b) Derailers must be close to standing equipment.

(c) The operation of a derailer must not create a hazard to buildings and other railroad lines.

(d) Derailers must not be installed on the inside rail on a sharp curve.

(e) Derail signs must be set on both sides of the track even with the derailer.

(f) An unneeded derailer must be removed or rendered inoperative.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. WSR 99-17-117, § 296-54-59710, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99.]

RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and [49.17].050. WSR 99-17-117, § 296-54-59710, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99.