Powered Platforms

Chapter 296-870, WAC

Effective Date: 01/01/07
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WAC 296-870-200

Operations

 For printing

Your Responsibility

To meet these requirements when using powered platforms

Building owner certification

WAC 296-870-20005

Personnel requirements

WAC 296-870-20010

Platform and hoist load limits

 WAC 296-870-20015
Obstructions and slipping hazards WAC 296-870-20020
Wind and adverse weather WAC 296-870-20025
Corrosive substances WAC 296-870-20030
Heat-producing processes WAC 296-870-20035
Fall protection WAC 296-870-20040
Communications WAC 296-870-20045

 

WAC 296-870-20005

Building owner certifications

You must

Obtain in written certification from the building owner of any building with a powered platform installation that was completed or had major modification done after July 23, 1990, that the building and equipment meets the requirements of New Installations-Buildings, WAC 296-870-600 and New Installations-Equipment, WAC 296-870-700 of this chapter.

Note:

The building owner needs to base the certification on:

  • The field test of the installation done before it’s first placed into service or following any major modification to an existing installation
    and
  • All other relevant available information, including but not limited to:
    • - Test data
    • - Equipment specifications
    • - Verification by a registered professional engineer.



You must

WAC 296-870-20010

Personnel requirements

You must

  • Prohibit employees from using the installation until the building owner has provided the required written certifications.
  • Make sure working platforms are operated only by persons proficient in the operation, safe use and inspection of the particular working platform.

Reference:

  • Building owner certification requirements are found in Building owner certifications, WAC 296-870-20005.
  • Training requirements for persons using platforms are found in Training, WAC 296-870-400.


WAC 296-870-20015

Platform and hoist load limits

You must

  • Make sure the load on the working platform doesn’t exceed the rated load stated on the platform load rating plate.
  • Make sure hoists aren’t subjected to a load greater than 125 percent of their rated load.

WAC 296-870-20020

Obstructions and slipping hazards

You must

  • Prohibit the accumulation of tools, materials and debris on the platform that aren’t related to the work in progress.
  • Make sure stabilizer ties are:

    - Located to allow movement along the full length of the platform without interference

    and

    • - Long enough not to become entangled in rollers, hoists, or other machinery.

  • Prohibit employees from working on platforms covered with snow, ice, or other slippery material.

Exemption:

Employees may be on platforms as necessary to remove the slipping hazard.


WAC 296-870-20025

Wind and adverse weather

You must

  • Prohibit using powered platforms in:

    - Winds exceeding 25 miles per hour (40.2 km/hr)

    or

    - Any other severe adverse weather conditions.

Exemption:

Employees may use the platform during severe adverse weather conditions only to move it from an operating to a storage position.

 

You must

  • Have an anemometer mounted on the platform of an exterior installation to provide on-site wind velocities before and during use of the platform.

Note:

The building owner needs to base the certification on:

  • Determine wind speed using the best available information, including on-site anemometer readings and local weather forecasts.
  • The anemometer may be a portable or hand held unit which is temporarily mounted during platform use.

 

WAC 296-870-20030

Corrosive substances

You must

  • Protect the platform, wire ropes, and lifelines from damage due to acids or other corrosive substances by using the precautions recommended by any of the following:

    - Corrosive substance producer or supplier

    - Platform manufacturer

    - Other equivalent information source.

  • Wash down platform members which have been exposed to acids or other corrosive substances with a neutralizing solution as recommended by the corrosive substance producer or supplier.

WAC 296-870-20035

Heat-producing processes

You must

  • Protect the platform members, wire ropes, and lifelines when using a heat-producing process.
  • Make sure wire ropes and lifelines which have been contacted by a heat-producing process are considered to be permanently damaged and not used.

WAC 296-870-20040

Fall protection

You must

  • Protect employees on working platforms with a personal fall arrest system that meets the requirements of Appendix C-Personal fall arrest system, WAC 296-24-88050, found in the General Safety and Health Standards, Chapter 296-24 WAC.

WAC 296-870-20045

Communications

You must

  • Make sure the voice communication system between the equipment operators and persons stationed within the building is operable and manned whenever the platform is being used.