Washington Administrative Code

(1) You must make sure the side rails of through or side-step ladders extend forty-two inches above the top of the access level or landing platform.Note:For a parapet ladder, the access level is: 1. The roof if the parapet is cut to permit passage through it; or 2. The top of the…

When a fixed ladder terminates at a hatch (see Figure D-3 below), you must ensure the hatch cover:(1) Opens with sufficient clearance to provide easy access to or from the ladder.EXEMPTION:WAC 296-875-60055(1) applies to general industry only. See the exemption list in the scope …

(1) You must make sure landing platforms for side-step ladders extend at least thirty inches on the climbing side of the ladder.(2) You must make sure landing platforms are:(a) At least thirty inches wide; and(b) Equipped with standard railings and toeboards placed to allow safe …

Note:DOSH and federal OSHA plan to phase out the recognition of ladder cages as effective means of fall-protection in the requirements below. New fixed ladders constructed after October 1, 2020, must incorporate ladder safety systems. Employers have until October 1, 2040, to equi…

(1) You must make sure the cage meets all of the following:(a) Extends at least forty-two inches above the top of the platform or above the point of access and egress at the top of the ladder.(b) Has provisions for accessing and egressing the platform or the point of access or eg…

(1) You must make sure there is at least twenty-seven inches, but not more than thirty inches, from the centerline of the step or rung to the inside face of the well on the climbing side of the ladder.(2) You must make sure the inside clear width is at least thirty inches.(3) You…

Notes:• Requirements for ladder safety devices, also referred to as ladder safety systems, are described below. Ladder safety devices typically consist of a carrier (see definitions in WAC 296-876-099), safety sleeve or carrier/cable/rope grab, lanyard, connectors, and full body …

SummaryYour responsibility: To make sure fixed ladders are inspected and maintained properly.You must meet the requirements...in this section:Protection against corrosion and deteriorationWAC 296-876-70005Inspection and repairWAC 296-876-70010[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, …

(1) You must paint or otherwise treat metal ladders or metal parts to resist rust and corrosion if they are:(a) Exposed to the elements; or(b) Located where rust or corrosion could be expected.(2) You must treat wood ladders used in conditions where decay may occur with a nonirri…

(1) You must keep ladders in safe condition.(2) You must have employees inspect fixed ladders for visual defects, as follows:(a) Competent person, when required by Table 1 (see WAC 296-876-30005), Ladder inspection criteria.(b) Trained ladder user, prior to the user's initial use…

SummaryYour responsibility: To use fixed ladders safely.You must meet the requirements...in this section:Design loadWAC 296-876-80005Climbing and descendingWAC 296-876-80010[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095,…

You must make sure not to overload ladders. Do not exceed either the:(1) Maximum intended load; or(2) Manufacturer's rated capacity.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-876-80005, filed 4/22/14, effectiv…

(1) You must have employees use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing up and down it.(2) You must face the ladder when climbing or descending.(3) You must keep ladders free of oil, grease, or other slippery materials.(4) You must make sure no employee carries any ob…

In addition to the walking-working surface rule (WAC 296-24-73505) requirements, and the relevant fixed ladder standard requirements in this chapter, you must ensure:(1) Each step bolt installed on or after October 1, 2020, in an environment where corrosion may occur is construct…

In addition to the walking-working surface rule (WAC 296-24-73505) requirements and the relevant fixed ladder standard requirements (chapter 296-876 WAC), you must ensure:(1) Each manhole step is capable of supporting its maximum intended load.(2) Rungs and steps of manhole entry…

SummaryYour responsibility: To meet these requirements for mobile ladder stands and mobile ladder stand platforms.You must meet the requirements...in this section:General requirementsWAC 296-876-91005Design requirements for mobile ladder standsWAC 296-876-91010Design requirements…

You must ensure:(1) Mobile ladder stands and platforms have a step width of at least sixteen inches (41 cm).(2) Steps and platforms of mobile ladder stands and platforms are slip resistant. Slip-resistant surfaces must be either an integral part of the design and construction of …

You must ensure:(1) Steps are uniformly spaced and arranged, with a rise of not more than ten inches (25 cm) and a depth of not less than seven inches (18 cm). The slope of the step stringer to which the steps are attached must not be more than sixty degrees, measured from the ho…

You must ensure:(1) The steps of mobile ladder stand platforms meet the requirements of WAC 296-876-91010(1). When the employer demonstrates that the requirement is not feasible, steeper slopes or vertical rung ladders may be used, provided the units are stabilized to prevent ove…

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 de…

These rules apply to all window-cleaning activities performed on the inside or outside of a building in which the window cleaner is working from a level that is located more than forty-eight inches above grade.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.0…

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 …

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Train workers to use window-cleaning equipmentWAC 296-878-11005[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-878-110, filed 4/22/14, effective 7/1/14. Statuto…

(1) You must provide the following training to workers before they use window-cleaning equipment on the job:(a) Proper care and maintenance of the equipment;(b) Review manufacturer's instructions for proper equipment use;(c) Methods for inspection, assembly, and dismantling of co…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Make sure building surfaces and fixtures are safe to useWAC 296-878-12005[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-878-120, filed 4/22/14, effective 7/1/1…

You must make sure building surfaces and fixtures are safe to be used before you begin the window-cleaning operation. This includes:(1) Guardrails, parapets, cornices and other building surfaces used to support suspended loads;(2) Permanently installed fixtures used as anchorages…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Inspect the area to be cleanedWAC 296-878-13005Inspect window-cleaning equipment before useWAC 296-878-13010[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-878-…

(1) 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:(a) Sharp edges of parapets;(b) Window frames;(c) Open projected windows;(d) Cornices;(e) Overhangs;(f) Any ot…

(1) You must store your window-cleaning equipment in a way that:(a) Is easy to get to, inspect, and safely take out for use;(b) Provides protection from moisture, sunlight, or corrosion.(2) You must make sure a competent person inspects these items before each use:(a) Window-clea…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Develop a site-specific service and emergency recovery plan for window-cleaning operationsWAC 296-878-14005[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-878-1…

(1) You must make sure that a qualified person develops a written plan for each location to be cleaned that identifies:(a) Hazardous areas;(b) Drop zones;(c) Safety features;(d) Methods for emergency recovery of workers working from suspended equipment, or other types of installa…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Select and use appropriate equipmentWAC 296-878-15005Select appropriate rope for suspended equipmentWAC 296-878-15015Select appropriate carabinersWAC 296-878-15020Use fall protection equipmentWAC 296-878-15025[Statutory Author…

(1) You must 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…

You must make sure all rope used for suspended equipment has a minimum breaking strength of five thousand pounds.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-878-15015, filed 4/22/14, effective 7/1/14. Statutory…

(1) You must use carabiners for connecting hardware or attaching boatswains' chairs, descent devices, and lifelines to anchors.(2) You must use carabiners with a minimum tensile load of five thousand pounds.(3) You must make sure carabiners are either manual or auto-locking.Note:…

(1) You must make sure the fall arrest system meets the requirements of chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fall protection.(2) You must use and inspect fall arrest equipment in accordance with the requirements of chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fa…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Provide warning signs and barricades when suspended equipment is usedWAC 296-878-16005[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-878-160, filed 4/22/14, ef…

(1) You must place warning signs below suspended equipment.(2) You must block the ground area with barricades directly under or next to the work zone.(3) You must assign a competent person to decide if additional protection is necessary.(4) You must make sure all tools used by th…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Maintain clearance between window cleaners and power linesWAC 296-878-17005[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-878-170, filed 4/22/14, effective 7/1…

(1) You must maintain clearances between window cleaners and power lines as indicated in Tables 2 and 3.Table 2Minimum Clearances from Power Lines – Insulated LinesVoltageMinimum distanceAlternativesLess than 300 volts3 feet (0.9 m)----300 volts to 50 kv10 feet (3.1 m)----More th…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchorsWAC 296-878-18005Inspect the anchors you plan to use for window cleaningWAC 296-878-18010Use window-cleaners' belts safelyWAC 296-878-18015Move safely on the outside of buil…

You must make sure window-cleaners' belts and anchors conform to the:(1) Design, manufacture, and maintenance requirements of ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001; and(2) Manufacturer's specifications.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. W…

(1) You must make sure you do not use anchors if they:(a) Appear to be damaged;(b) Appear deteriorated;(c) Appear to be worn;(d) Appear to be loose;(e) Appear to be unsecured to the building or window frame;(f) Will not allow the belt terminal to easily slip over the anchor head.…

(1) You must make sure workers do not extend more than one arm beyond the window sash when cleaning windows from inside a building.(2) You must attach one belt terminal to an anchor before you put more than one arm outside the window.(3) You must pull on the terminal strap and lo…

You must make sure you travel on the outside of the building only when:(1) You keep at least one window-cleaner's belt terminal attached at all times;(2) The anchors are not more than forty-eight inches apart.Note:Anchors can be up to seventy-two inches apart if: 1. The sill or l…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Select appropriate boatswains' chairsWAC 296-878-19005Safely use boatswains' chairs rigged with a block and tackleWAC 296-878-19010[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WS…

(1) You must make sure that when you use a block and tackle, it is the correct size, including:(a) Correctly sized ball bearings or bushed blocks;(b) Safety hooks;(c) Eye-spliced rope;(d) A minimum breaking strength of five thousand pounds.(2) You must make sure all rope used wit…

(1) You must make sure the rated capacity or the maximum intended load, whichever is less, is not exceeded.(2) You must make sure the suspension rope stays vertical between the boatswain's chair and suspension device unless all of these requirements are met:(a) The rigging has be…

SummaryYou must meet the requirements…in this section:Select appropriate rope descent systemsWAC 296-878-20005Safely use rope descent systemsWAC 296-878-20010Safely use rope descent devicesWAC 296-878-20015[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and …

(1) You must make sure the rope descent system is designed, used, and maintained according to:(a) ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001;(b) The manufacturer's instructions.(2) You must make sure the rope descent system has been manufactured and is intended to be used for window cleaning.Note:Equ…