EXPEDITED RULES
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 296-878 WAC, Safety standards for window cleaning.
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Josh Swanson, Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44001, Olympia, WA 98504-4001 , AND RECEIVED BY February 22, 2010.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: In 2002, the department rewrote the window cleaning rules for clarity. As part of that process, an allowance from ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001, Window Cleaning Safety, Section 5.7.12 was omitted from the final rule language. This language would allow employers to use a rope descent system above 300 feet in height if the windows cannot be safely and practicably accessed by other work practices. The purpose of this rule making is to add this allowance to WAC 296-878-20010 Safely use rope descent systems.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: This change would provide consistency with the current requirement in WAC 296-878-20005 Select appropriate rope descent systems, which refers employers to ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1-2001, Section 5.7.12.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 49.17 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of labor and industries, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Tracy Spencer, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5530; Implementation and Enforcement: Michael Silverstein, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-4805.
December 22, 2009
Judy Schurke
Director
OTS-2758.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 02-22-027, filed 10/28/02,
effective 1/1/03)
WAC 296-878-20010
Safely use rope descent systems.
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 unless the windows cannot be safely and practicably accessed by other means.
(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. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 02-22-027, § 296-878-20010, filed 10/28/02, effective 1/1/03.]