WAC 296-56-60006. Personnel

(1) Employers must make sure machinery operators meet qualifications:

(a) Only those employees determined by the employer to be competent by reason of training or experience, who understand the signs, notices, and operating instructions and are familiar with the signal code in use must be permitted to operate a crane, winch, or other power-operated cargo handling apparatus, or any power-operated vehicle, or give signals to the operator of any hoisting apparatus. Employees being trained and supervised by a designated individual may operate such machinery and give signals to operators during training.

(b) No employee known to have defective uncorrected eyesight or hearing, or to be suffering from heart disease, epilepsy, or similar ailments which may suddenly incapacitate the employee must be permitted to operate a crane, winch, other power-operated cargo handling apparatus, or a power-operated vehicle.

(c) Persons who have recovered from a heart attack must be exempted from the provisions of (b) of this subsection, as it pertains to their heart condition, provided:

(i) A medical release is obtained from their attending medical doctor.

(ii) The release must state that the operation of a crane, winch, power-operated cargo handling apparatus, or power-operated vehicle, will not present a hazard to themselves or others.

(iii) An examination by a medical doctor, and renewal of the work release certification is required annually.

(2) Employers must meet the following requirements for supervisory accident prevention proficiency:

(a) Immediate supervisors of cargo-handling operations of more than five persons must satisfactorily complete a course in accident prevention. Employees newly assigned to supervisory duties must be required to meet the provisions of this subsection (2)(a) within 90 days of such assignment.

(b) The course must consist of instruction suited to the particular operations involved.

vention proficiency:

(a) Immediate supervisors of cargo-handling operations of more than five persons must satisfactorily complete a course in accident prevention. Employees newly assigned to supervisory duties must be required to meet the provisions of this subsection (2)(a) within 90 days of such assignment.

(b) The course must consist of instruction suited to the particular operations involved.

(c) No minor under 18 years of age must be employed in occupations involving the operation of any power-operated hoisting apparatus or assisting in such operations by performing work such as hooking on or landing drafts, rigging gear, etc.