(Effective until October 1, 2020)
What protection must an employer provide for open-sided floors, platforms, and runways?
(1) Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above an adjacent floor or ground level must be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent according to WAC
296-307-25027) on all open sides, except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing must have a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides:
(a) A person can pass; or
(b) There is moving machinery; or
(c) Materials falling onto equipment would create a hazard.
(2) Every runway must be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent according to WAC
296-307-25027) on all open sides that are 4 feet or more above floor or ground level. Wherever tools, machine parts, or materials are likely to be used on the runway, a toeboard must also be provided on each exposed side.
Runways used exclusively for special purposes (such as oiling, shafting, or filling tank cars) may have the railing on one side omitted when operating conditions require, if the hazard is minimized by using a runway at least 18 inches wide. Where people entering runways become exposed to machinery, electrical equipment, or hazards other than from falling, additional guarding may be necessary.
(3) Regardless of height, all open-sided floors, walkways, platforms, or runways above or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, or similar hazardous equipment, must be guarded with a standard railing and toeboard.
(4) Tools and loose materials must not be left on overhead platforms and scaffolds.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.040. WSR 98-24-096, § 296-307-25015, filed 12/1/98, effective 3/1/99. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-25015, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-25015, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]
(Effective October 1, 2020)
What protection must an employer provide for open-sided floors, platforms, and runways?
See requirements in chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified safety standards for fall protection.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050,
49.17.060, and chapter
49.17 RCW. WSR 20-12-091, § 296-307-25015, filed 6/2/20, effective 10/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.040. WSR 98-24-096, § 296-307-25015, filed 12/1/98, effective 3/1/99. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-25015, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-25015, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]