WAC 296-56-60051   Handling explosives or hazardous materials.  (1) All workers handling explosive or other hazardous material which is properly labeled pursuant to the Washington State Labeling Code, chapters 296-62 and 296-64 WAC, promulgated by the department of labor and industries; or the Explosive Act, chapter 70.74 RCW and chapter 296-52 WAC; or the Federal and Washington State Food, Drug and Cosmetic Acts; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Washington Pesticide Act, chapter 17.21 RCW; the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act; or the Interstate Commerce Commission and Foreign Commerce regulations; or explosives or other dangerous cargo which is reasonably known by the employers to be mislabeled or to be lacking a required label, shall be thoroughly informed by the employer of the explosive or hazardous nature of the cargo.

     (2) In all shipping operations including, but not limited to, handling, storage, and preparation, compliance with the standards of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the United States Coast Guard, or the safety rules developed by the Institute of Makers of Explosives shall be deemed proper and safe methods of operation.

     (3) Handling of breakage. If breakage should occur while handling explosives or other hazardous materials, the foreman shall order the work in the immediate area to cease until the hazard has been removed. It shall be the responsibility of the employer to use a safe method of handling such breakage and placing it in a remote, safe location.

     (4) No smoking. All workers supervising or engaged in the handling, hoisting, stowing of explosives, combustible oxidizing materials or flammable materials shall smoke only in designated areas. No person shall smoke within one hundred feet of any location where such materials are handled or stored.

     (5) Loading chute. In chuting packaged explosives, care must be exercised to ensure that one package is taken from the mat before starting another. Each package shall be completely removed from the mat before another is placed on the chute.

     (6) Specifications for chutes. In the loading of explosive merchandise in package form where chutes are used, the chutes shall be constructed only of wood. All fastenings shall be of wooden pins, dowelings, or pegs. Metal fastenings may be used, provided they are countersunk.

     (7) Mattress landing buffer. The bottoms of the chutes shall be provided with a stuffed mattress not less than four inches thick and of sufficient width and length to allow for safe landing of packages.

     (8) Drafts of hazardous or explosive cargo shall be so slung and secured that neither the draft nor individual packages can fall as a result of tipping the draft or slackening the supporting gear.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60051, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60051, filed 12/11/84.]