PERMANENT RULES
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Date of Adoption: October 28, 2002.
Purpose: WAC 296-24-145 General safety and health, window cleaning, repealed and reassigned to chapter 296-878 WAC.
State-initiated amendments are in response to industry requests that the department adopt permanent rules to protect workers during window-cleaning operations, and to consolidate the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) consensus standard requirements for the window cleaning industry into one rule. WAC 296-24-145 Window cleaning, was rewritten for clarity and ease of use and renumbered as chapter 296-878 WAC.
NEW SECTIONS:
WAC 296-878-100 Scope, defines the parameters of who is covered under the rule.
WAC 296-878-10005 Summary, table of contents for the rule.
WAC 296-878-110 Training, section title.
WAC 296-878-11005 Train workers to use window-cleaning equipment, workers must be trained on window cleaning equipment before they are allowed to use it on the job, including care and maintenance of equipment, window cleaners' belts, and boatswains' chairs and rope descent systems.
WAC 296-878-120 Building surfaces and fixtures, section title.
WAC 296-878-12005 Make sure building surfaces and fixtures are safe to use, employers must make sure that the building fixtures and surfaces to be used in window cleaning activities are safe.
WAC 296-878-130 Inspection procedures, section title.
WAC 296-878-13005 Inspect the area to be cleaned, building surfaces must be inspected before cleaning begins to make sure they will not damage fall-protection or cleaning equipment.
WAC 296-878-13010 Inspect window-cleaning equipment before use, window cleaning equipment must be stored correctly and inspected before each use by a competent person. No makeshift repairs are authorized and no defective equipment may be used. Padding and softeners must be secured.
WAC 296-878-140 Develop site-specific service and emergency plans, section title.
WAC 296-878-14005 Develop a site-specific service and emergency recovery plan for window-cleaning operations, a qualified person must develop a plan for each location to be cleaned identifying hazardous areas, drop zones, safety features, and emergency recovery procedures of suspended workers.
WAC 296-878-150 Equipment, section title.
WAC 296-878-15005 Select and use appropriate equipment, all equipment used in window-cleaning activities must be engineered, designed and intended for commercial applications. The equipment must not be altered unless approved by an engineer and must have manufacturer's instructions available.
WAC 296-878-15015 Select appropriate rope for suspended equipment, rope used with suspended equipment must have a rated load capacity of at least 5000 pounds.
WAC 296-878-15020 Select appropriate carabiners, carabiners must be used to connect hardware, or for attaching boatswains' chairs, descent devices, and lifelines to anchors. The carabiners must be manual or auto locking, and must have a minimum tensile load of 5000 pounds.
WAC 296-878-15025 Use fall protection equipment, fall arrest systems must be designed, used, and inspected according with the requirements in WAC 296-24-88050, Mandatory Appendix C, Part I, Personal Fall Arrest Systems. Workers suspended from boatswains' chairs or rope-descent systems must wear fall arrest protection. Fall arrest anchorage must be separate from suspension system anchorage. Fall arrest protection must be worn before workers become suspended, and at all times while they are suspended. Boatswains' chairs or rope descent systems must be connected at all times to the suspension line.
WAC 296-878-160 Warning signs and barricades, section title.
WAC 296-878-16005 Provide warning signs and barricades when suspended equipment is used, warning signs must be placed below suspended equipment, and barricades must block the area below or next to the work area. A competent person must decide if additional protection is necessary. Tools used while suspended must be attached to the worker, seat board, or boatswain's chair.
WAC 296-878-170 Power line clearance, section title.
WAC 296-878-17005 Maintain clearance between window cleaners and power lines, window cleaners must maintain the minimum distances from power lines as shown in Tables 2 and 3. When window cleaners must get closer than the prescribed distances from power lines, then the utility company must be notified to install protective coverings, deenergize, or relocate the power lines before the work may begin.
WAC 296-878-180 Window cleaners' belts and anchors, section title.
WAC 296-878-18005 Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchors, window cleaners' belts and anchors must conform to the design, manufacture, and maintenance requirements of ANSI IWCA 1-14.1-2001 and the manufacturer's specifications.
WAC 296-878-18010 Inspect the window-cleaners' anchors you will use, areas where window cleaners' belts will be used must be inspected to make sure that anchors are safe to use, and window ledges and frames will not impair safe use of the belt. Use the belts only if the area to be cleaned is safe and anchors intended for use are safe.
WAC 296-878-18015 Use window-cleaners' belts safely, no more than one arm may extend outside the building when cleaning windows from the inside. One belt terminal must be attached to an anchor before extending more than one arm outside the building, and then the worker must pull on the terminal strap to look for signs of damage. Both belt terminals must be attached before the worker climbs out the window, and they must remain attached during the entire cleaning process. One terminal must remain attached when reentering the building.
WAC 296-878-18020 Move safely on the outside of buildings, you may move on the outside of the building only when you keep at least one belt terminal attached at all times, and the anchors are not more than forty-eight inches apart, or up to seventy-two inches apart under certain conditions.
WAC 296-878-190 Boatswains' chairs, section title.
WAC 296-878-19005 Select appropriate boatswains' chairs, when selecting boatswains' chairs, the correct size and type of tackle must be used, rope used must have a minimum breaking strength of 5000 pounds, and the seat slings must be properly reeved.
WAC 296-878-19010 Safely use boatswains' chairs rigged with a block and tackle, the rated capacity of the boatswains' chairs must not be exceeded. The suspension rope must stay vertical between the chair and the suspension device, and a suspension height of seventy-five feet above grade must not be exceeded, unless certain provisions are met.
WAC 296-878-200 Rope-descent systems, section title.
WAC 296-878-20005 Select appropriate rope-descent systems, rope descent systems must be designed, used and maintained according to ANSI IWCA 1-14.1-2001, Window Cleaning Safety, and the manufacturer's instructions, and must be designed for window cleaning activities. If the rope descent system does not have specific use instructions for each component it may not be used. Rope descent components must be compatible and have a minimum tensile strength of 5000 pounds.
WAC 296-878-20010 Safely use rope-descent systems, workers must use extreme care when using rope descent systems around electrical service, heat sources, and turbulent areas. Workers must be positioned in a seat board that is connected with carabiners before being suspended. Workers may not reach more than six feet in any direction, and must not swing excessively or stop suddenly. The site-specific plan must address the hazards of descents over one hundred thirty feet. Workers descending more than one hundred thirty feet must be stabilized.
WAC 296-878-20015 Safely use rope-descent devices, minimum rated capacity must not be exceeded. Rope must meet the manufacturer's specifications for diameter and construction, and must be rigged through the descent device to enable a controlled rate of descent. The attachment point on the descent device must be one piece with no gates or openings. The descent device must remain stationary when positive action is taken.
WAC 296-878-210 Equipment prohibited, section title.
WAC 296-878-21005 Prohibit equipment from use, do not use portable sills, window jacks, capstan devices to suspend workers, or ropes made entirely of polypropylene for window-cleaning operations.
WAC 296-878-220 Definitions.
REPEALED SECTIONS:
WAC 296-24-145, section title.
WAC 296-24-14501 Definitions, renumbered as WAC 296-878-220.
WAC 296-24-14503 Application, renumbered and retitled as WAC 296-878-100 Scope.
WAC 296-24-14505 Protection of persons engaged at window cleaning, renumbered and retitled as WAC 296-878-12005 Make sure building surfaces and fixtures are safe to use.
WAC 296-24-14507 General, incorporated into the following new sections: WAC 296-878-11005 Train workers to use window-cleaning equipment, WAC 296-878-15005 Select and use appropriate equipment, WAC 296-878-18005 Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchors, WAC 296-878-18015 Use window-cleaners' belts safely, and WAC 296-878-18020 Move safely on the outside of buildings.
WAC 296-24-14509 Belt terminals, anchors and bolts, incorporated into WAC 296-878-18005 Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchors.
WAC 296-24-14511 Belts, incorporated into WAC 296-878-18005 Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchors.
WAC 296-24-14513 Anchor installations, incorporated into WAC 296-878-18005 Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchors.
WAC 296-24-14515 Reversible and pivot windows, not included in the new standard.
WAC 296-24-14517 Ladders, incorporated into WAC 296-878-15005 Select and use appropriate equipment, as a reference.
WAC 296-24-14519 Boatswain's chairs, renumbered and retitled as WAC 296-878-190 Boatswains' chairs.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 296-24-145 Window washing, 296-24-14501 Definitions, 296-24-14503 Application, 296-24-14505 Protection of persons engaged at window cleaning, 296-24-14507 General, 296-24-14509 Belt terminals, anchors and bolts, 296-24-14511 Belts, 296-24-14513 Anchor installations, 296-24-14515 Reversible and pivot windows, 296-24-14517 Ladders, and 296-24-14519 Boatswain's chairs.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 02-13-118 on June 19, 2002.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WITHDRAWN SECTIONS:
WAC 296-878-15010 Other window-cleaning equipment.
The wording was incorporated into a reference in WAC 296-878-15005.
WAC 296-878-22005 Do not work when winds are excessive.
The wording was incorporated into WAC 296-878-20010(10).
CHANGES TO THE RULES:
WAC 296-878-10005 Summary.
Corrected the title for WAC 296-878-21005 Equipment prohibited from prohibited equipment [use].
Added WAC 296-878-220 Definitions, to the table of contents.
WAC 296-878-20010 Safely use rope-descent systems.
Removed three illustrations.
Incorporated the information regarding working at [in] excessive winds.
WAC 296-878-20015 Safely use rope-descent devices.
Reworded for clarity and ease of use. Wording was added for attachment points on rope-descent devices, which must be one piece with no gates or openings.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 33, Amended 0, Repealed 11.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making:
New 0,
Amended 0,
Repealed 0;
Pilot Rule Making:
New 0,
Amended 0,
Repealed 0;
or Other Alternative Rule Making:
New 33,
Amended 0,
Repealed 11.
Effective Date of Rule:
January 1, 2003.
October 28, 2002
Gary Moore
Director
OTS-5739.3
SAFETY STANDARDS FOR WINDOW CLEANING
[]
Your responsibility:
Make sure workers clean windows safely, and properly use and maintain their window-cleaning equipment.
IMPORTANT:
Window-cleaning equipment includes window-cleaner's belts, boatswains' chairs, rope descent systems, ladders, supported scaffolds and the support equipment used to suspend employees cleaning windows.
You must:
Training
Train workers to use window-cleaning equipment
Building surfaces and fixtures
Make sure building surfaces and fixtures are safe to use
Inspection procedures
Inspect the area to be cleaned
Inspect window-cleaning equipment before use
Develop site-specific service and emergency plans
Develop a site-specific service and emergency recovery plan for window-cleaning operations
Equipment
Select and use appropriate equipment
Other window-cleaning equipment
Select appropriate rope for suspended equipment
Select appropriate carabiners
Use fall protection equipment
Warning signs and barricades
Provide warning signs and barricades when suspended equipment is used
Power line clearances
Maintain clearance between window cleaners and power lines
Window-cleaners' belts and anchors
Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchors
Inspect the anchors you plan to use for window cleaning
Use window-cleaners' belts safely
Move safely on the outside of buildings
Boatswains' chairs
Select appropriate boatswains' chairs
Safely use boatswains' chairs rigged with a block and tackle
Rope descent systems
Select appropriate rope descent systems
Safely use rope descent systems
Safely use rope descent devices
Equipment prohibited
Prohibit equipment from use
Definitions
[]
[]
You must:
Provide the following training to workers before they use window-cleaning equipment on the job:
Proper care and maintenance of the equipment
Review manufacturer's instructions for proper equipment use
Methods for inspection, assembly, and dismantling of components
Identify anchorages
A complete understanding of safe working conditions
How employees will be rescued.
Provide additional training to workers using window-cleaners' belts in all the following areas:
How to select the proper-sized belt
How to use anchors and terminals
How to deal with obstructions and slippery/wet surfaces.
Provide additional training to workers using boatswains' chairs and rope descent systems in all the following areas:
Proper rigging practices
Fall arrest requirements
Proper methods of descending
The effects of wind on window-cleaning operations when a worker is suspended
Proper methods of hoisting for ascents.
Document the training by recording all of the following:
The name and signature of the trainer/educator
The name and signature of the student
The subjects in which the workers were trained
The date of the training
The location of the training.
| Note: | You do not need a specialized educator to provide training. You may use a qualified person to conduct the training. A qualified person is defined as a person who has: |
| Extensive knowledge, training, and experience about the subject matter, work, or project | |
| A recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing | |
| Successful demonstration of problem solving skills in connection with the subject, work, or project. |
[]
[]
You must:
Make sure building surfaces and fixtures are safe to be used before you begin the window-cleaning operation. This includes:
Guardrails, parapets, cornices and other building surfaces used to support suspended loads
Permanently installed fixtures used as anchorages and tiebacks
Window-cleaning equipment support systems permanently dedicated to the building.
[]
[]
You must:
Inspect the building before cleaning to make sure there are no areas that can damage worker fall protection equipment and window-cleaning equipment. Inspect:
Sharp edges of parapets
Window frames
Open projected windows
Cornices
Overhangs
Any other areas that may abrade, sever, weaken, or damage the equipment.
Make sure all working surfaces are safe and free from hazards such as:
Grease
Oil
Other slippery substances.
[]
You must:
(1) Store your window-cleaning equipment in a way that:
Is easy to get to, inspect, and safely take out for use
Provides protection from moisture, sunlight, or corrosion.
(2) Make sure a competent person inspects these items before each use:
Window-cleaners' belts
Boatswains' chairs
All components of rope descent systems
Suspension devices
Certified roof anchorages
Primary support ropes or lines
The descent device
Carabiners or shackles
A seatboard or boatswain's chair
Wear points on rope descent system components exposed to constant friction.
(3) Make sure you do not use any piece of window-cleaning equipment with defects.
Prohibit makeshift repairs to any piece of window-cleaning equipment
Label any piece of window-cleaning equipment that is defective "dangerous, do not use."
(4) Secure any padding or softeners so they do not come loose from:
The surface of the building
The rope if not attached to the building.
[]
[]
You must:
Make sure that a qualified person develops a written plan for each location to be cleaned that identifies:
Hazardous areas
Drop zones
Safety features
Methods for emergency recovery of workers working from suspended equipment, or other types of installations, in the event of equipment failure or any other kind of disability.
Keep the plan at the work site during the entire cleaning operation.
| Note: | You may use an outside service for rescue and recovery (such as a fire department) if: |
| The rescue personnel will be able to reach the victims without undue delay | |
| They have the necessary equipment to retrieve the victims | |
| They are trained and proficient in high angle rescue techniques. |
[]
[]
You must:
(1) Make sure that all equipment provided to workers for window-cleaning operations is engineered, designed, and intended for use in commercial applications.
| Note: | Equipment that is designed or labeled for recreational use or rescue use only is prohibited for use in window-cleaning operations. |
(2) Make sure that the window-cleaning equipment is not altered unless it is specifically approved in writing by the original manufacturer or a registered professional engineer.
(3) Provide manufacturer's instructions to employees for all window-cleaning equipment they will use.
| Reference: | Use Table 1 for other window-cleaning equipment requirements. |
| If you use: | Then follow all requirements in: | |
| 1. | Portable ladders | WAC 296-800-290, Portable ladders |
| 2. | Supported scaffolds | Chapter 296-24 WAC, PART J-2, Scaffolds |
| 3. | Suspension ropes and lifelines Powered and manual hoists Suspended scaffold equipment |
Chapter 296-24 WAC, PART J-2, Scaffolds |
| 4. | Single and multipoint adjustable suspension scaffolds | Chapter 296-24 WAC, PART J-2, Scaffolds |
| 5. | Powered platforms | Chapter 296-24 WAC, PART J-3, Powered platforms |
[]
You must:
Make sure all rope used for suspended equipment has a minimum breaking strength of five thousand pounds.
[]
You must:
Use carabiners for connecting hardware or attaching boatswains' chairs, descent devices, and lifelines to anchors.
Use carabiners with a minimum tensile load of five thousand pounds.
Make sure carabiners are either manual or auto-locking.
| Note: | You may secure a rope to an anchor with a knot if normal daily use of the rope will not decrease its initial breaking strength below five thousand pounds. |
[]
You must:
(1) Make sure the fall arrest system meets the requirements of WAC 296-24-88050 mandatory Appendix C, Part I, Personal fall arrest systems.
Use and inspect fall arrest equipment in accordance with the requirements of WAC 296-24-88050, mandatory Appendix C, Part I, Personal fall arrest systems.
Make sure all workers suspended from a boatswain's chair or rope descent system use an independent fall arrest system where the fall arrest anchorage is separate from the suspension system anchorage.
Make sure workers operating powered platforms wear and use a fall arrest system.
Make sure workers assemble and wear their personal fall arrest equipment before they approach the point of suspension.
Make sure workers are connected at all times to the fall arrest system while they are suspended.
(2) Make sure the boatswain's chair or rope descent system is connected at all times to the suspension line.
[]
[]
You must:
(1) Place warning signs below suspended equipment
(2) Block the ground area with barricades directly under or next to the work zone
(3) Assign a competent person to decide if additional protection is necessary
(4) Make sure all tools used by the worker are attached to the worker, seatboard, or boatswain's chair.
| Reference: | Rules for protecting workers from overhead hazards are listed in WAC 296-800-16055, Make sure your employees use appropriate head protection. |
[]
[]
You must:
Maintain clearances between window cleaners and power lines as indicated in Tables 2 and 3.
| Voltage | Minimum distance | Alternatives |
| Less than 300 volts | 3 feet (0.9 m) | |
| 300 volts to 50 kv | 10 feet (3.1 m) | |
| More than 50 kv | 10 feet (3.1 m) plus 0.4 inches (1.0 cm) for each 1 kv over 50 kv | 2 times the length of the line insulator, but never less than 10 feet (3.1 m) |
| Voltage | Minimum distance | Alternatives |
| Less than 50 kv | 10 feet (3.1 m) | |
| More than 50 kv | 10 feet (3.1 m) plus 0.4 inches (1.0 cm) for each 1 kv over 50 kv | 2 times the length of the line insulator, but never less than 10 feet (3.1 m) |
Follow these procedures when window cleaners need to get closer to power lines than allowed in Tables 2 and 3:
Notify the utility company or electrical system operator of the need to work closer than the minimum clearances to power lines before starting the work
Begin the work only when the utility company or electrical system operator has deenergized or relocated the lines, or installed protective coverings to prevent accidental contact with the lines.
[]
[]
You must:
Make sure window-cleaners' belts and anchors conform to the:
Design, manufacture, and maintenance requirements of ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001
AND
Manufacturer's specifications.
[]
You must:
Make sure you do not use anchors if they:
Appear to be damaged
Appear deteriorated
Appear to be worn
Appear to be loose
Appear to be unsecured to the building or window frame
Will not allow the belt terminal to easily slip over the anchor head.
Use window-cleaner's belts only if:
The area to be cleaned is safe
All anchors intended for use are safe.
Make sure window ledges and frames will not impair the safe use of the window-cleaner's belt.
| Note: | If unsafe anchors are found, report them to the building owner or manager and do not use them. |
[]
You must:
Make sure workers do not extend more than one arm beyond the window sash when cleaning windows from inside a building.
Attach one belt terminal to an anchor before you put more than one arm outside the window.
Pull on the terminal strap and look for signs of damage to the anchor.
Attach both belt terminals to anchors before climbing out the window.
Keep all belt terminals attached during the entire cleaning operation.
Make sure the worker keeps one terminal attached to an anchor when reentering the window and until the worker is inside.
[]
Make sure you travel on the outside of the building only when
You keep at least one window-cleaner's belt terminal attached at all times
The anchors are not more than forty-eight inches apart.
| Note: | Anchors can be up to seventy-two inches apart if |
| The sill or ledge is continuous | |
| The sill or ledge is at least twelve inches wide | |
| The sill or ledge has a slope less than five degrees | |
| There is at least six inches of window sill in front of the mullions. |
[]
[]
You must:
(1) Make sure that when you use a block and tackle, it is the correct size, including:
Correctly-sized ball bearings or bushed blocks
Safety hooks
Eye-spliced rope
A minimum breaking strength of five thousand pounds.
(2) Make sure all rope used with a boatswain's chair has a minimum breaking strength of five thousand pounds, including rope used for:
Suspension
Block and tackle
Seat slings.
(3) Make sure the ropes on boatswain's chair seat slings:
Are reeved through the four corner holes in the seat
Cross each other on the underside of the seat
Are rigged so the chair cannot slip out of a level position.
[]
You must:
(1) Make sure the rated capacity or the maximum intended load, whichever is less, is not exceeded.
(2) Make sure the suspension rope stays vertical between the boatswain's chair and suspension device unless all of these requirements are met:
The rigging has been designed by a qualified person
The scaffold can be easily reached by rescuers
The suspension rope is protected from damage when a change in direction occurs
The scaffold will not swing and contact another surface.
(3) Make sure a suspension height of seventy-five feet above grade or building setback is not exceeded.
Exemption: Suspension height may be up to one hundred thirty feet above grade or building setback if the boatswain's chair block and tackle has all of the following:
An automatic braking system
A design that minimizes the amount of force required to raise or lower the suspended worker
An automatic braking system that automatically maintains an elevation when no force is applied to the tackle
A system that does not slip.
You must:
(4) Prohibit tying any kind of knot in a block and tackle system to maintain elevation.
(5) Make sure another worker is stationed below any boatswain's chair rigged with a block and tackle who can assist the suspended employee.
(6) Make sure workers do not attempt to increase the work area by swinging, swaying, or other maneuvers.
[]
[]
Make sure the rope descent system is designed, used, and maintained according to:
ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001
The manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure the rope descent system has been manufactured and is intended to be used for window cleaning.
| Note: | Equipment that is designed or labeled for recreational use or rescue use only is prohibited for use in window-cleaning operations. |
Make sure the rope descent system components are compatible and have a minimum tensile strength of five thousand pounds.
This does not apply to the seatboard.
Make sure the rope descent system has specific use instructions for each component.
[]
You must:
(1) Make sure workers use extreme care when using rope descent equipment around electrical service, heat sources, and turbulent areas, such as air vents.
(2) Connect the seatboard or boatswain's chair to the descent device with a manual or auto locking carabiner.
(3) Make sure workers are positioned in the seatboard or boatswain's chair before being suspended.
(4) Make sure workers do not reach more than six feet in any direction as measured from a centerline straight down from where the suspension rope bears on the building.
(5) Make sure workers do not descend rapidly, swing excessively, or stop suddenly.
(6) Make sure that, in addition to the suspended worker, there is one other person at the jobsite who is skilled in using the rope descent system and rescue procedures.
(7) Make sure you do not exceed a three hundred-foot height of descent as measured from grade or building setback.
(8) Make sure your site-specific service plan addresses the following hazards for descents over one hundred thirty feet as measured from grade or building setback:
Sudden weather changes, such as wind gusts, micro bursts, or tunneling wind currents
Inability of the rope descent system to function without using excessive force
Workers suspended for long periods of time
Rerigging and movement of main suspension and safety lines.
(9) Stabilize workers suspended from a rope descent system whenever the descent is higher than one hundred thirty feet, as measured from grade or building setback.
(10) Prohibit workers from working when wind speed makes any stabilization equipment ineffective.
| Note: | Provisions for stabilizing workers may include: |
| Continuous stabilization, such as mullion tracks | |
| Intermittent stabilization, such as detent pins/buttons | |
| Work station stabilization, such as suction cups. |
[]
(2) Make sure the descent device manufacturer's specifications for rope diameter and construction are followed.
(3) Make sure the rope is rigged through the descent device for a controlled rate of descent.
(4) Make sure the attachment point on the descent device is one piece with no gates or openings.
(5) Make sure the descent device will remain stationary when positive action is taken.
[]
[]
You must:
Prohibit use of the following equipment for window-cleaning operations:
Portable sills
Window jacks
Capstan devices to suspend workers
Suspension or fall-arrest ropes that are made entirely of polypropylene.
[]
Anchor, window-cleaner's belt - Fall-preventing attachment points for direct attachment of the terminal portion of a window-cleaner's belt.
Belt terminal - That part of the safety belt that is attached to the anchor during the window-cleaning operation.
Block and tackle - A lifting device consisting of one or more pulley blocks reeved with chains, wire ropes, or fibre ropes used solely for raising and lowering a load or moving a load horizontally.
Boatswain's chair - A single-point adjustable suspension scaffold consisting of a seat or sling designed to support one worker in a sitting position.
Capstan device - An upright, spool-shaped cylinder used for hoisting or lifting weights that is turned by a motor or by hand.
Carabiner - An oblong metal ring with an openable spring-hinged side, used to clip a rope to an anchoring device.
Competent person - One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Drop (drop zone) - A vertical area or work zone accessed by the worker or piece of equipment during one descent.
Drop line - A vertical line from a fixed anchorage, independent of the work surface.
Fixture - Attachments, anchors, anchorages, tie backs or support equipment permanently dedicated to a given site.
Grade - Means the ground, floor, sidewalk, roof, or any level surface that is considered a safe place to work.
Lanyard - A flexible line to secure a wearer of a safety belt or harness to a drop line, lifeline or fixed anchorage.
Mullion - A slender, vertical dividing bar between windows, panels, etc.
Primary support/suspension - A working line or approved anchorage used for attachment of a working line.
Qualified person - A person is qualified if they have one of the following:
Extensive knowledge, training, and experience about the subject matter, work, or project
A recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing
Successful demonstration of problem solving skills in connection with the subject, work, or project.
Rated capacity - The combined weight of workers, tools, equipment, and other materials that the device is designed and installed to lift and support.
Rope descent system (RDS) - An assembly of components that allows the operator to control the rate of descent at any time. A rope descent system includes the following components:
Suspension devices
Certified roof anchorages
Primary support ropes or lines
The descent device
Carabiners or shackles
A seatboard or boatswain's chair.
Terminal strap - The strap or rope attached to the waist band on one end, and to the belt terminals on the other end.
Window cleaning - Cleaning, wiping, restoring or other methods of cleaning windows.
Working line - A rope suspended from an anchorage and used to access parts of a building.
[]
OTS-5781.1
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
| WAC 296-24-145 | Window washing. |
| WAC 296-24-14501 | Definitions. |
| WAC 296-24-14503 | Application. |
| WAC 296-24-14505 | Protection of persons engaged at window cleaning. |
| WAC 296-24-14507 | General. |
| WAC 296-24-14509 | Belt terminals, anchors and bolts. |
| WAC 296-24-14511 | Belts. |
| WAC 296-24-14513 | Anchor installations. |
| WAC 296-24-14515 | Reversible and pivot windows. |
| WAC 296-24-14517 | Ladders. |
| WAC 296-24-14519 | Boatswain's chairs. |