Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-45 - Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution › Section 296-45-48555 - Coal and ash handling

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
			 Only designated persons may operate railroad equipment.
(2) Before a locomotive or locomotive crane
			 is moved, a warning must be given to employees in the area.
(3) Employees engaged in switching or dumping
			 cars cannot use their feet to line up drawheads.
(4) Drawheads and knuckles cannot be shifted
			 while locomotives or cars are in motion.
(5) When a railroad car is stopped for
			 unloading, the car must be secured from displacement that could endanger
			 employees.
(6) An emergency means
			 of stopping dump operations must be provided at railcar dumps.
(7) The employer must ensure that employees
			 who work in coal- or ash-handling conveyor areas are trained and knowledgeable
			 in conveyor operation and in the requirements of this section.
(8) Employees cannot ride a coal- or
			 ash-handling conveyor belt at any time. Employees must not cross over the
			 conveyor belt, except at walkways, unless the conveyor's energy source has been
			 deenergized and has been locked out or tagged in accordance with WAC
			 296-45-175.
(9) A conveyor that could cause injury when
			 started cannot be started until personnel in the area are alerted by a signal
			 or by a designated person that the conveyor is about to start.
(10) If a conveyor that could cause injury
			 when started is automatically controlled or is controlled from a remote
			 location, an audible device must be provided that sounds an alarm that will be
			 recognized by each employee as a warning that the conveyor will start and that
			 can be clearly heard at all points along the conveyor where personnel may be
			 present. The warning device must be actuated by the device starting the
			 conveyor and must continue for a period of time before the conveyor starts that
			 is long enough to allow employees to move clear of the conveyor system. A
			 visual warning may be used in place of the audible device if the employer can
			 demonstrate that it will provide an equally effective warning in the particular
			 circumstances involved.
Exception:
If the employer can demonstrate that the system's function
						would be seriously hindered by the required time delay, warning signs may be
						provided in place of the audible warning device. If the system was installed
						before November 20, 1995, warning signs may be provided in place of the audible
						warning device until such time as the conveyor or its control system is rebuilt
						or rewired. These warning signs must be clear, concise, and legible and must
						indicate that conveyors and allied equipment may be started at any time, that
						danger exists, and that personnel must keep clear. These warning signs must be
						provided along the conveyor at areas not guarded by position or location.
(11)
			 Remotely and automatically controlled conveyors, and conveyors that have
			 operating stations which are not manned or which are beyond voice and visual
			 contact from drive areas, loading areas, transfer points, and other locations
			 on the conveyor path not guarded by location, position, or guards must be
			 furnished with emergency stop buttons, pull cords, limit switches, or similar
			 emergency stop devices. However, if the employer can demonstrate that the
			 design, function, and operation of the conveyor do not expose an employee to
			 hazards, an emergency stop device is not required.
(a) Emergency stop devices must be easily
			 identifiable in the immediate vicinity of such locations.
(b) An emergency stop device must act
			 directly on the control of the conveyor involved and must not depend on the
			 stopping of any other equipment.
(c) Emergency stop devices must be installed
			 so that they cannot be overridden from other locations.