WAC 296-45-065   Training.  Employees shall be trained and proficient in the safety-related work practices, safety procedures, and other safety requirements in this section that pertain to their respective job assignments. Employees shall also be trained in and proficient with any other safety practices, including applicable emergency procedures (such as pole top, aerial, manhole, and tree rescue), that are not specifically addressed by this section but that are related to their work and are necessary for their safety.

     (1) Qualified employees shall also be trained and competent in:

     (a) The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment;

     (b) The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts;

     (c) The minimum approach distances specified in this section corresponding to the voltages to which the qualified employee will be exposed; and

     (d) The proper use of the special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools for working on or near exposed energized parts of electric equipment.

Note:

For the purposes of this section, a person must have this training in order to be considered a qualified person.

     (2) The employer shall determine, through regular supervision and through inspections conducted on at least an annual basis, that each employee is complying with the safety-related work practices required by this section.

     (3) An employee shall receive additional training (or retraining) under any of the following conditions:

     (a) If the supervision and annual inspections required by subsection (2) of this section indicate that the employee is not complying with the safety-related work practices required by this section; or

     (b) If new technology, new types of equipment, or changes in procedures necessitate the use of safety-related work practices that are different from those which the employee would normally use; or

     (c) If he or she must employ safety related work practices that are not normally used during his or her regular job duties.

Note:

WISHA would consider tasks that are performed less often than once per year to necessitate retraining before the performance of the work practices involved.

     (4) The training required by WAC 296-45-065 shall be of the classroom or on-the-job type.

     (5) The training shall establish employee proficiency in the work practices required by this section and shall introduce the procedures necessary for compliance with this section.

     (6) The employer shall certify that each employee has received the training required by WAC 296-45-065. This certification shall be made when the employee demonstrates proficiency in the work practices involved and shall be maintained for the duration of the employee's employment.

Note:

Employment records that indicate that an employee has received the required training are an acceptable means of meeting this requirement.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 98-07-009, § 296-45-065, filed 3/6/98, effective 5/6/98.]