(1) Scope. This section applies to all fixed ladders except:
(a) Ladders forming an integral part of railway cars, highway carriers,
cargo containers, or other transportation carrier equipment;
(b) Climbing devices such as step bolts or structural members of tanks
and towers;
(c) Ladders built into or vertically attached to tubular scaffold framing;
and
(d) Ladders used only for fire fighting or emergency purposes are exempt
from the provisions of subsection (5) of this section. All other requirements
of this section apply.
(2) Definitions.
(a) “Cage” (basket guard) means a barrier enclosing or nearly
enclosing a ladder's climbing space and fastened to one or both of the
ladder's side rails or to another structure.
(b) “Fixed ladder” means a ladder, including individual rung
ladders, permanently attached to a structure, building, or piece of
equipment.
(c) “Ladder safety device” means a support system limiting an
employee's drop or fall from the ladder, and which may incorporate friction
brakes, lifelines and lanyards, or sliding attachments.
(d) “Well” means a permanent complete enclosure around a fixed
ladder, which is attached to the walls of the well.
(3) Defects.
(a) Ladders with broken, split, or missing rungs, steps or rails, broken
welds or connections, corrosion or wastage, or other defect which may
affect safe use shall be removed from service.
(b) Ladder repairs shall provide strength at least equivalent to that
of the original ladder.
(4) Ladder specifications.
(a) (i) Ladders installed before October 3, 1983, shall be capable
of withstanding without damage a minimum concentrated load, applied
uniformly over a three and one-half inch (8.9 cm) width at the rung
center, of two hundred pounds (890 N).
(ii) Ladders installed after October 3, 1983, shall be capable of
withstanding two hundred fifty pounds (1112 N) applied as described
in (a)(i) of this subsection. If used by more than one employee simultaneously,
the ladder as a unit shall be capable of simultaneous additional loading
in two hundred fifty pound (1112 N) increments for each additional
employee, applied to a corresponding number of rungs. The unit shall
have a safety factor of four based on ultimate strength, in the designed
service.
(b) (i) Ladders installed before October 3, 1983, shall have rungs
evenly spaced from nine to sixteen and one-half inches (22.9 to 41.9
cm) apart, center to center.
(ii) Ladders installed after October 3, 1983, shall have rungs evenly
spaced twelve inches apart, plus or minus two inches (30.5 cm, plus
or minus 5.08 cm), center to center.
(c) (i) Ladders installed before October 3, 1983, shall have a width
between side rails of at least ten inches (25.4 cm).
(ii) Ladders installed after October 3, 1983, shall have a width
between side rails of at least twelve inches (30.48 cm).
(d) The minimum distance between the rung center line and the nearest
permanent object behind the rung shall be four inches (10.16 cm), except
that in ladders installed after October 3, 1983, the minimum distance
shall be seven inches (17.78 cm) unless physical limitations make a
lesser distance, not less than four and one-half inches (11.43 cm),
necessary.
(e) When a ladder passes through an opening or past overhead obstructions,
a minimum twenty-four inch (.61 m) clearance shall exist between the
climbing side and any obstruction. Where this distance is less than
thirty inches (0.76 m), a deflection device shall be installed for guidance
through the opening.
(f) The side rails of ladders shall extend at least thirty-six inches
(0.91 m) above the top landing surface, unless grab bars or equivalent
holds are provided.
(g) Ladders whose pitch exceeds ninety degrees to the horizontal (slanting
backward on the climbing side) shall not be used.
(5) Protection against falls.
(a) Fixed ladders more than twenty feet (6.1 m) in height shall be
provided with a cage, well, or ladder safety device.
(b) When a well or cage is used, ladders with length of climb exceeding
thirty feet (9.14 m) shall comply with the following provisions:
(i) The ladder shall consist of multiple sections not exceeding thirty
feet (9.14 m) each;
(ii) Each section shall be horizontally offset from adjacent sections,
except as specified in (b)(iv) of this subsection; and
(iii) A landing platform capable of supporting a load of one hundred
pounds per square foot (4.79 kPa) and fitted with guardrails complying
with WAC 296-56-60123(3) shall be provided at least every thirty feet
(9.14 m), except as specified in (b)(iv) of this subsection;
(iv) For ladders installed after October 3, 1983, offset sections
and landing platforms are not required if hinged platforms capable
of supporting one hundred pounds per square foot (4.79 kPa), and which
are kept closed except when opened for passage, are within the cage
or well at intervals not exceeding thirty feet (9.14 m).
(c) Ladders equipped with ladder safety devices shall have rest platforms:
(i) Capable of supporting a load of one hundred pounds per square
foot (4.79 kPa);
(ii) Located at intervals of one hundred fifty feet (45.7 m) or less;
and
(iii) Protected by guardrails complying with WAC 296-56-60123(3)
on three sides.
(d) Where used, ladder safety devices shall:
(i) Be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions, which shall be available for inspection upon request;
(ii) Be repaired only with replacement parts having performance capability
at least equal to that of the original parts;
(iii) Have a connection length between carrier centerlines and safety
belts of 10 ± 2 inches (25.4 ± 5.08 cm); and
(iv) Be installed in a manner that does not reduce the ladder's structural
capacity.
(e) Ladder cages or wells shall:
(i) Be of rigid construction that allows unobstructed use but prevents
an employee from falling through or dislodging the cage or well by
falling against it;
(ii) Have smooth inner surfaces;
(iii) Extend at least thirty-six inches (0.91 m) above landings;
and
(iv) Extend to within eight feet (2.44 m) above the ground or base,
except that a maximum of twenty feet (6.1 m) is permitted where the
cage or well would extend into traffic lanes.
(f) Ladders installed after January 1, 1985, on radio, microwave communications,
electrical power and similar towers, poles and structures, including
stacks and chimneys, shall meet the requirements of this subsection.
(6) Individual rung ladders. Ladders consisting of individual rungs that
are attached to walls, conical manhole sections or river cells shall:
(a) Be capable of supporting a load of three hundred fifty pounds (1557
N) without deformation;
(b) Form a continuous ladder, uniformly spaced vertically from twelve
inches to sixteen inches (30.5 to 40.6 cm) apart, with a minimum width
of ten inches (25.4 cm), and projecting at least four and one-half inches
(11.43 cm) from the wall;
(c) Be so constructed that an employee's foot cannot slide off the
ends; and
(1) Scope and applicability. This section applies to all portable ladders,
including job-made ladders for temporary use, unless otherwise specified.
(2) Standards for existing manufactured portable ladders.
(a) Rungs of manufactured portable ladders obtained before October
3, 1983, shall be capable of supporting a two hundred pound (890 N)
load without deformation.
(b) Rungs shall be evenly spaced from nine to sixteen and one-half
inches (22.9 to 41.9 cm), center to center.
(c) Rungs shall be continuous members between rails. Each rung of a
double-rung ladder (two side rails and a center rail) shall extend the
full width of the ladder.
(d) Width between side rails at the base of the ladder shall be at
least twelve inches (30.48 cm) for ladders ten feet (3.05 m) or less
in overall length, and shall increase at least one-fourth inch (0.64
cm) for each additional two feet (0.61 m) of ladder length.
(3) Standards for manufactured portable ladders. Manufactured portable
ladders obtained after October 3, 1983, shall bear identification indicating
that they meet the appropriate ladder construction requirements of the
following standards:
ANSI A14.1-1990 Safety Requirements for Portable Wood Ladders
ANSI A14.2-1990 Safety Requirements for Portable Metal Ladders
ANSI A14.5-1992 Safety Requirements for Portable Reinforced Plastic
Ladders
(4) Standards for job-made portable ladders. Job-made ladders shall:
(a) Have a minimum and uniform distance between rungs of twelve inches
(30.48 cm), center to center;
(b) Be capable of supporting a two hundred fifty pound (1112 N) load
without deformation; and
(c) Have a minimum width between side rails of twelve inches (30.48
cm) for ladders ten feet (3.05 m) in height. Width between rails shall
increase at least one-fourth inch (0.64 cm) for each additional two
feet (0.61 m) of ladder length.
(5) Maintenance and inspection.
(a) The employer shall maintain portable ladders in safe condition.
Ladders with the following defects shall not be used and either shall
be tagged as unusable if kept on the premises or shall be removed from
the worksite:
(i) Broken, split or missing rungs, cleats, or steps;
(ii) Broken or split side rails;
(iii) Missing or loose bolts, rivets, or fastenings;
(iv) Defective ropes; or
(v) Any other structural defect.
(b) Ladders shall be inspected for defects prior to each day's use,
and after any occurrence, such as a fall, which could damage the ladder.
(6) Ladder usage.
(a) Ladders made by fastening rungs or devices across a single rail
are prohibited.
(b) Ladders shall not be used:
(i) As guys, braces, or skids; or
(ii) As platforms, runways, or scaffolds.
(c) Metal and wire-reinforced ladders with wooden side rails shall
not be used when employees on the ladder might come into contact with
energized electrical conductors.
(d) Individual sections from different multisectional ladders or two
or more single straight ladders shall not be tied or fastened together
to achieve additional length.
(e) Except for combination ladders, self-supporting ladders shall not
be used as single straight ladders.
(f) Unless intended for cantilever operation, nonself-supporting ladders
shall not be used to climb above the top support point.
(g) Ladders shall extend at least thirty-six inches (0.91 m) above
the upper support level if employees are to leave or mount the ladder
at that level, except that where such extension is impractical other
equivalent means such as grab bars may be used to provide a hand grip.
(h) Ladders shall be securely positioned on a level and firm base.
(i) Ladders shall be fitted with slip-resistant bases and secured at
top or bottom to prevent the ladder from slipping.
(j) Ladders shall be placed so that employees climbing are not exposed
to injury from projecting objects or doors that open toward the ladder.
(1) Definition. “Fixed stairway” means interior or exterior stairs
serving machinery, tanks, or equipment, and stairs to or from floors,
platforms, or pits. The term does not apply to stairs intended only for
fire exit purposes, to articulated stairs (the angle of which changes
with the rise and fall of the base support) or to stairs forming an integral
part of machinery.
(2) New installations.
(a) Fixed stairs installed after October 3, 1983, shall be positioned
within the range of thirty degrees to fifty degrees to the horizontal
with uniform riser height and tread width throughout each run and be
capable of a minimum loading of one hundred pounds per square foot (445
N) and a minimum concentrated load of three hundred pounds (1334 N)
at the center of any treadspan. Riser height shall be from six to seven
and one-half inches (15.24 to 19.05 cm), stair width a minimum of twenty-two
inches (55.88 cm) between vertical barriers, and tread depth a minimum
of 12 ± 2 inches (30.48 ± 5.08 cm), and tread nosing shall be straight
leading edges.
(b) Stair landings shall be at least twenty inches (50.8 cm) in depth.
Where doors or gates open on a stairway, a landing platform shall be
provided. Door swing shall not reduce the effective standing area on
the landing to less than eighteen inches (45.72 cm) in depth.
(c) Fixed stairs having four or more risers shall have stair railings
or handrails complying with WAC 296-56-60123(3).
(d) The railing height from tread surface at the riser face shall be
33 plus or minus 3 inches (83.82 cm plus or minus 7.62 cm).
(e) Restricted areas. When physical features require stairs steeper
than those provided for by (a) of this subsection, stairs at angles
of fifty degrees to seventy-five degrees from the horizontal may be
used if they:
(i) Are capable of supporting a single concentrated load of two hundred
pounds (890 N) at the tread centers;
(ii) Have open treads at least four inches (10.16 cm) in depth and
eighteen inches (45.72 cm) in width with a uniformly spaced vertical
rise between treads of six to nine and one-half inches (15.24 to 24.13
cm); and
(iii) Have handrails that meet the requirements of WAC 296-56-60123(3)
on both sides that are not less than thirty inches (76.2 cm) in height
from the tread surface at the riser face.
(f) Maintenance. Fixed stairways shall be maintained in safe condition
and shall not be obstructed.
(1) Definition. “Spiral stairway” means one with closed circular
form, uniform sector-shaped treads and a supporting column.
(2) Requirements. Spiral stairways shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Stairways shall conform to the minimum dimensions
of Figure F-1;
Figure F-1
Spiral Stairway-Minimum Dimensions
A (Half-Thread
Width)
B
Normal use by employees
Limited Access
11 inches (27.9
cm) 9 inches (22.9 cm)
6 inches (15.2 cm)
5 inches (12.7 cm)
(b) Stairway risers shall be uniform and shall range from six and one-half
to ten and one-half inches (16.5 to 26.67 cm) in height;
(c) Minimum loading capability shall be one hundred pounds per square
foot (445 N), and minimum tread center concentrated loading shall be
three hundred pounds (1334 N);
(d) Railing shall conform to the requirements of WAC 296-56-60123(3).
If balusters are used, there shall be a minimum of one per tread. Handrails
shall be a minimum of one and one-fourth inches (3.18 cm) in outside
diameter; and
(e) Vertical clearance shall be at least six feet, six inches (1.98
m) above the top step.
(3) Maintenance. Spiral stairways shall be maintained in safe condition.
(2) If an employee exit is not visible from employees' work stations,
directional signs indicating routes to the exit shall be posted.
(3) Exits shall be readily accessible and sufficient in number to provide
employees with a convenient means of escape in emergencies. A clear passage
to the exit shall be maintained.
(4) The minimum width of any employee exit shall be twenty-eight inches
(71.12 cm).
(5) All fire exits and aisleways of all docks and warehouses shall be
clearly marked and kept clear. All main aisleways shall be wide enough
to permit passage of a fire truck.
(6) There shall be a twenty-eight inch clearance maintained where employees
use a passageway to an exit.
(7) Every building, structure or crane, new or old, shall be provided
with an emergency means of egress to permit the prompt escape of occupants
in case of fire or other emergency, at all locations with a vertical height
of thirty feet or more. Cranes, buildings, or structures erected prior
to January 1, 1985, shall comply with the provisions of this standard
by July 1, 1986.
Lighting. All areas shall be lighted to meet the requirements of this
code.
(1) Active work areas shall be lighted in such a manner that the general
area being worked will be illuminated at a minimum intensity of approximately
five foot candles measured thirty inches above the dock floor. Supplemental
lighting shall be utilized where more than the minimum intensity is necessary
for safe operation.
(2) A minimum of three foot candles illumination measured in the manner
described above shall be maintained at all points along the bull rail.
(3) The quality of light shall be such that it is reasonably free from
glare, and has correct direction, diffusion, and distribution.
(4) Lighting shall not be obstructed by any placement of cargo, structures
or other objects which might create a shadow in the work area. Portable
lighting shall be provided in those areas that do not meet the minimum
requirements of this subsection.
(5) Portable illumination.
(a) All walking and working areas shall be illuminated.
(b) Portable lights shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Portable lights shall be equipped with reflectors and guards
to prevent flammable and other material from coming in contact with
the bulb, except that guards are not required where the construction
of the reflector is such that the bulb is recessed.
(ii) Portable lights shall be equipped with heavy duty electric cords.
They may be suspended by such cords only when the means of attachment
of the cord to the light is such as to prevent the light from being
suspended by the electrical connections.
(iii) All connections and insulation shall be maintained.
(iv) Lighting wires and fixtures for portable lights shall be so
arranged as to be free from contact with drafts, running gear, or
other moving equipment.
(1) General. The employer shall provide safe means of passage between
different surface levels and across openings.
(2) Dockboards (car and bridge plates).
(a) Dockboards shall be strong enough to support the loads imposed
on them.
(b) Portable dockboards shall be anchored in position or be equipped
with devices to prevent their movement.
(c) Hand holds or other effective means shall be provided on portable
dockboards to permit safe handling.
(d) Positive means shall be used to prevent railcars or highway vehicles
from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position.
(3) Ramps.
(a) Ramps shall be strong enough to support the loads imposed on them,
provided with sideboards, properly secured and well maintained.
(b) Ramps shall be equipped with guardrails meeting the requirements
of WAC 296-56-60123(3) if the slope is more than twenty degrees to the
horizontal or if employees could fall more than four feet (1.22 m).
(c) Ramps shall have slip-resistant surfaces.
(d) When necessary to prevent displacement by vehicle wheels, steel
plates or similar devices, used to temporarily bridge or cover uneven
surfaces or tracks, shall be anchored.
(1) This section applies to temporary installations or temporary operations
near a river bank.
(2) Where working surfaces at river banks slope so steeply that an employee
could slip or fall into the water, the employer shall ensure that the
outer perimeter of the working surface is protected by posting or other
portable protection such as roping off, and that employees wear a personal
flotation device meeting the requirements of WAC 296-56-60115(2).
(a) The employer shall provide accessible washing and toilet facilities
sufficient for the sanitary requirements of employees. The facilities
shall have:
(i) Running water, including hot and cold or tepid water (when cargo
handling is conducted at locations without permanent facilities, containers
of potable water may be provided in lieu of running water);
(ii) Soap;
(iii) Individual hand towels, clean individual sections of continuous
toweling or warm air blowers; and
(iv) Fixed or portable toilets in separate compartments with latch-equipped
doors.
(b) Separate toilet facilities shall be provided for male and female
employees except when toilet rooms are occupied by only one person at
a time. A means of locking shall be provided.
(c) Washing and toilet facilities shall be regularly cleaned and maintained
in good order.
(2) Drinking water.
(a) Potable drinking water shall be accessible to employees at all
times.
(b) Potable drinking water containers shall be clean, containing only
water and ice, and shall be fitted with covers.
(c) Common drinking cups are prohibited.
(3) Prohibited eating areas. Consumption of food or beverages in areas
where hazardous materials are being stored or handled shall be prohibited.
(4) Garbage and overboard discharges. Work shall not be conducted in
the immediate vicinity of uncovered garbage or in the area of overboard
discharges from the vessel's sanitary lines unless employees are protected
from the garbage or discharge by a baffle or splash boards.
(1) General. Signs required by this chapter shall be clearly worded and
legible. They shall contain a key word or legend indicating the reason
for the sign.
(a) Key words are such words as danger, warning, caution.
(b) Legends are more specific explanations such as high voltage, close
clearance, pedestrian crossing.
(2) Specific. Every marine terminal shall have conspicuously posted signs
as follows:
(a) Locations of first-aid facilities;
(b) Locations of telephones;
(c) Telephone numbers of the closest ambulance service, hospital or
other source of medical attention, police, fire department, and emergency
squad (if any); and
(d) Locations of fire fighting and emergency equipment and fire exits.
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