Section 296-78-515. Management's responsibility.

(1) It shall be the responsibility of management to establish, supervise, and enforce, in a manner which is effective in practice:

(a) A safe and healthful working environment.

(b) An accident prevention program as required by these standards.

(c) Training programs to improve the skill and competency of all employees in the field of occupational safety and health. Such training shall include the on-the-job instructions on the safe use of powered materials handling equipment, machine tool operations, use of toxic materials and operation of utility systems prior to assignments to jobs involving such exposures.

(2) The employer shall develop and maintain a hazard communication program as required by WAC 296-901-140, which will provide information to all employees relative to hazardous chemicals or substances to which they are exposed, or may become exposed, in the course of their employment.

(3) Management shall not assign mechanics, millwrights, or other persons to work on equipment by themselves when there is a probability that the person could fall from elevated work locations or equipment or that a person could be pinned down by heavy parts or equipment so that they could not call for or obtain assistance if the need arises.

Note:	This subsection does not apply to operators of motor vehicles, watchperson or certain other jobs which, by their nature, are singular employee assignments. However, a definite procedure for checking the welfare of all employees during their working hours shall be instituted and all employees so advised.

(4) After the emergency actions following accidents that cause serious injuries that have immediate symptoms, a preliminary investigation of the cause of the accident shall be conducted. The investigation shall be conducted by a person designated by the employer, the immediate supervisor of the injured employee, witnesses, employee representative if available and any other person with the special expertise required to evaluate the facts relating to the cause of the accident. The findings of the investigation shall be documented by the employer for reference at any following formal investigation.

(5) Reporting and recording requirements. The employer must comply 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 the loss of an eye.

(6) The employer must comply with the accident investigation requirements in WAC 296-800-320.

(7) Personal protective equipment required by this standard shall be provided at no cost to employees.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, and 49.17.050. WSR 15-11-066, § 296-78-515, filed 5/19/15, effective 7/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 29 C.F.R. 1910 Subpart Z. WSR 14-07-086, § 296-78-515, filed 3/18/14, effective 5/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 09-05-071, § 296-78-515, filed 2/17/09, effective 4/1/09; WSR 08-05-012, § 296-78-515, filed 2/8/08, effective 4/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-038, § 296-78-515, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 94-20-057 (Order 94-16), § 296-78-515, filed 9/30/94, effective 11/20/94; WSR 91-24-017 (Order 91-07), § 296-78-515, filed 11/22/91, effective 12/24/91; WSR 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), § 296-78-515, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. WSR 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-78-515, filed 8/27/81.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, and 49.17.050. WSR 15-11-066, § 296-78-515, filed 5/19/15, effective 7/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 29 C.F.R. 1910 Subpart Z. WSR 14-07-086, § 296-78-515, filed 3/18/14, effective 5/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 09-05-071, § 296-78-515, filed 2/17/09, effective 4/1/09; WSR 08-05-012, § 296-78-515, filed 2/8/08, effective 4/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-038, § 296-78-515, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 94-20-057 (Order 94-16), § 296-78-515, filed 9/30/94, effective 11/20/94; WSR 91-24-017 (Order 91-07), § 296-78-515, filed 11/22/91, effective 12/24/91; WSR 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), § 296-78-515, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. WSR 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-78-515, filed 8/27/81.

Rules

296-901-140,296-27,296-800-320,