Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Safety Standards for Window Cleaning Chapter 296-878, WAC

Effective Date: 01/01/03

Scope WAC 296-878-100

For printing

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 48 inches above grade.

WAC 296-878-10005

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 equipment used to suspend employees cleaning windows.

You must

Training

Train workers to use window-cleaning equipment WAC 296-878-11005

Building surfaces and fixtures

Make sure building surfaces and fixtures are safe to use WAC 296-878-12005

Inspection procedures

Inspect the area to be cleaned WAC 296-878-13005 Inspect window-cleaning equipment before use WAC 296-878-13010

Develop site-specific service and emergency plans

Develop a site-specific service and emergency recovery plan for window-cleaning operations WAC 296-878-14005

Equipment

Select and use appropriate equipment WAC 296-878-15005 Select appropriate rope for suspended equipment WAC 296-878-15015 Select appropriate carabiners WAC 296-878-15020 Use fall protection equipment WAC 296-878-15025

Warning signs and barricades

Provide warning signs and barricades when suspended equipment is used WAC 296-878-16005

Power line clearances

Maintain clearance between window cleaners and power lines WAC 296-878-17005

Window-cleaners' belts and anchors

Select appropriate window-cleaners' belts and anchors WAC 296-878-18005 Inspect the anchors you plan to use for window cleaning WAC 296-878-18010 Use window-cleaners' belts safely WAC 296-878-18015 Move safely on the outside of buildings WAC 296-878-18020

Boatswains' chairs

Select appropriate boatswains' chairs WAC 296-878-19005 Safely use boatswains' chairs rigged with a block and tackle WAC 296-878-19010

Rope descent systems

Select appropriate rope descent systems WAC 296-878-20005 Safely use rope descent systems WAC 296-878-20010 Safely use rope descent devices WAC 296-878-20015

Equipment prohibited

Prohibit equipment from use WAC 296-878-21005

Definitions

Definitions WAC 296-878-220