Jay L Schollmeyer Local Chairman 1637 Portland, OR 97215 Email jay@jaysworks.com

The state of Washington has enacted some new regulations.         

NEW SECTION
WAC 480-60-035 Walkways.

    (1) Walkways must be provided in yards where employees regularly work on the ground.

    (2) Ease and safety of walking are the primary considerations for providing walkways. Ease and safety of walking and adequate track drainage are the primary considerations for selecting surface materials. Accordingly, walkways required by this rule must have a reasonably smooth surface and be maintained in a safe condition, without compromising track drainage. Any of the following are suitable surface materials.:

    (a) Crushed material may be used for walkways. The material must not exceed one and one-half inches in size. The term "one and one-half inches in size" has a specialized meaning. That meaning can vary from company to company within the industry. For purposes of this rule, the term will have the following meaning

(note: Percentages refer to weight measurements) :

100 percent of the material will pass through a one and one-half inch square sieve opening.
90 to 100 percent of the material will pass through a one-inch square sieve opening.
40 to 80 percent of the material will pass through a three-quarter inch square sieve opening.
15 to 60 percent of the material will pass through a one-half inch square sieve opening.
0 to 30 percent of the material will pass through a three-eighths inch square sieve opening.
0 to 10 percent of the material will pass through a X4 sieve (standard nomenclature in the industry).
0 to 5 percent of the material will pass through a X8 sieve.
0 .to 0.5 percent of the material will pass through a #2OO sieve

.Note: Smaller crushed material is preferable. It should be used where drainage and durability issues do not arise. Material that is three-quarter inch or less in size is recommended for switching leads in yards.

    (b) Walkway surfaces may also be made of asphalt, concrete, planking, grating, or other similar material suitable for walking.
    (c) Native materials may be used for a walkway surface if the materials provide a surface that is reasonably smooth and safe.
    (3) Walkways must not have a grade or slope in excess of one inch of elevation for each eight inches of horizontal length in any direction, unless the geography of the area makes this impracticable.
    (4) Walkways must be kept clear of vegetation, debris, mud, and other obstructions that constitute a hazard to railroad employees working on the ground. Standing water must be removed from walkways as soon as reasonably possible.
    (5) When walkways are removed or damaged due to construction 1 or emergencies, they must be restored within thirty days after construction is completed or the emergency ends.
    (6) Walkways must be sufficiently wide to allow employees to safely perform all duties associated with the use of the walkways.
    (7) Walkways on bridges and trestles existing on (effective date of this rule), must not be permanently removed without approval from the commission. Permission must be obtained by the process set forth in WAC 480-60-020. Walkways on bridges or trestles that are temporarily removed or damaged due to construction or emergencies must be restored within thirty days after construction is completed or the emergency ends.
    (8) (a) Unless the commission identifies a serious safety condition on a walkway, Class I railroads must bring their walkways into compliance with this section within one year of the effective date of these rules, and Class II and Class III railroads must bring their walkways into compliance within five years of the effective date of these rules.
    (b) If a 'railroad believes it will experience a serious financial hardship in bringing its walkways into compliance within the time allowed, it must submit to the commission in writing, an alternate proposal for bringing its walkways into compliance. The commission may grant an extension of time following a review of the railroad's alternate walkway compliance proposal.

NEW SECTION
WAC 480-66-210 Locomotive cabs and cabooses.

(1) During use, locomotive cabs must be heated to a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
(2) When required by the season of the year, doors and windows of al.1 locomotives must be equipped with adequate protection to occupants from the elements by means of weather stripping, or other device sufficient to provide equally adequate protection.
(3) Cabooses must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(4) When required by the season of the year, doors, and windows of cabooses must be equipped with adequate weather stripping.
(5) Every caboose used in any train in this state, regardless of service, must be provided with a stove or other adequate means of heating. The company shall provide.a sufficient supply of fuel for the trip or shift.

  NEW SECTION
WAC 480-66-500 Eating places.

    (1) At all permanent and semi-permanent installations, an acceptable place with adequate space for eating meals must be provided for employees who bring their meals to their place of employment, or eat meals prepared at the camp facilities. An acceptable place with adequate space for eating meals must be provided at all, other places whenever reasonably possible.
    (2) Eating places must be constructed to permit them to be readily cleaned. At all times, they must be kept clean and sanitary, in good repair, and free of rodents, insects and vermin.
    (3) Kitchen cars or other camp facilities must have adequate equipment for the sanitary preparation, cooking and refrigeration of food.
    (4) If employees are allowed or required to eat in a locomotive, the eating area must be kept clean and sanitary at all times.

 NEW SECTION
WAC 480-66-510 Lunch rooms.

    (1) In lunch rooms where food is served for employees, the food, equipment, and facilities are subject to the rules and regulations of the state department of health pertaining to public food establishments.
    (2) Employees and workers handling and serving food are subject to those rules and regulations of the state department of health which are necessary to the sanitary handling of food.
    (3) Concessionaire facilities provided by the company in lieu of direct company operations must comply with the regulations in these rules with respect to adequate space, adequate food handling facilities, sanitation and cleanliness.
   (4) Adequate table and seating facilities must be provided for the maximum number of employees using the room at any one time.

 NEW SECTION
WAC 480-66-520 Specifications for lunch rooms and eating places.

(1) General. The minimum area of lunch rooms, or the amount of space to be added to that required for a locker room where a lunch room is not provided, must be based upon the maximum number of employees using the room or added space at any one time, in accordance with the following table:

(2) Every eating-place and lunchroom must be adequately ventilated. Where reasonably possible cross-ventilation must be provided.
(3) All lunchrooms must be clearly lighted at all times during hours. of use.
(4) Every lunchroom must be kept reasonably heated at all times.
(5) The windows, ventilators and doors opening to the outside of all lunchrooms must be properly screened during the season when insects are prevalent.
(6) One or more covered receptacles, as needed, must be furnished in lunch room and eating places for the disposal of waste food and other waste matter. The containers must be emptied regularly and cleaned as often as needed. The area where the receptacles are kept must be maintained free of litter overflowing the receptacles.

 

 

Yours Truly,
JL Schollmeyer
Local Chairman 1637