Brief Description: One purpose of this rulemaking is to align Chapter 296-56 WAC, Safety standards-Longshore, stevedore and waterfront related operations, with the requirements of Substitute House Bill 1706 (Chapter 204, Laws of 2022), codified under RCW 70.54.480, which became effective June 9, 2022. This law requires terminal operators to provide drayage truck operators’ access to restrooms when operating in or on a port or rail yard property, and dedicated space for lactation. The Departments of Health and Labor & Industries have jurisdiction to enforce the requirements set forth in RCW 70.54.480.
The second purpose is to align Chapter 296-56 WAC with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for marine terminals in 29 CFR 1917, which removed outdated references and practices and added clarity on the meaning of heavily loaded container and measuring carbon monoxide. The adopted amendments also align the standard with OSHA’s requirement for employers to provide information in a language understood by an employee in 29 CFR 1910.