WAC 296-305-07011   Occupant restraints and enclosures for wildland fire fighting.  (1) While in motion, the driver and passengers in the cab shall wear seatbelts.

     (2) Seatbelts shall comply with U.S. Department of Transportation, Part 49 CFR, Section 571, Standards 209 and 210.

     (3) Passengers on wildland vehicles shall use a safety belt or a short lanyard securely connected to the apparatus.

     (a) Safety belts or lanyards shall be secured to an anchorage or structural member capable of supporting a minimum dead weight of 1500 pounds per person or a 4:1 safety factor.

     (b) Safety lanyard lengths shall not allow for the fire fighter to reach the ground.

     (4) Safety belts shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with ANSI A10.14.1975.

     (5) Lanyards shall be a minimum of one-half inch nylon or equivalent with a nominal breaking strength of 5400 pounds.

     (6) The structural components for wildland vehicle enclosures shall be constructed of metal tubing not less than 1 inch in diameter, capable of supporting a minimum of 1500 pounds per person, a 4:1 safety ratio or the equivalent. This applies to vehicle enclosures manufactured after the effective date of this chapter.

     (7) The enclosure shall be constructed to a minimum toprail height of forty-two inches and shall include a midrail and either a toeboard at least four inches high or a bottom rail a maximum of six inches from the platform.

     (8) Access door(s) and latching mechanisms to tail board enclosures shall be constructed and mounted to achieve structural integrity comparable to the remainder of the enclosure.

     (9) A strap or butt-bar utilized for the fourth side of the enclosure shall be a minimum of a four-inch nylon strap capable of supporting 1500 pounds dead weight.

     (10) Fire fighters while actively fighting a fire in the mobile attack mode shall remain in a three-sided enclosure and use a safety lanyard. When actively fighting a fire in the mobile attack mode, fire fighters shall remain in a four-sided enclosure but the use of a lanyard is optional and should follow the fire department's operating procedures.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 96-11-067, § 296-305-07011, filed 5/10/96, effective 1/1/97.]