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 #4
sieve (standard nomenclature in the industry).
0 to 5 percent of the material will pass through a #8
sieve.
0 to 0.5 percent of the material will pass through a #200
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 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.