WAC 296-32-290   Vehicle-mounted material handling devices and other mechanical equipment.  (1) General.

     (a) The employer shall ensure that visual inspections are made of the equipment by a competent person each day the equipment is to be used to ascertain that it is in good condition.

     (b) The employer shall ensure that tests shall be made at the beginning of each shift by a competent person to insure the vehicle brakes and operating systems are in proper working condition.

     (2) Scrapers, loaders, dozers, graders and tractors.

     All mobile, self-propelled scrapers, mobile front end loaders, mobile dozers, agricultural and industrial tractors, crawler tractors, crawler-type loaders, and motor graders, with or without attachments, that are used in telecommunications work shall have rollover protective structures that meet the requirements of WAC 296-155-950 through 296-155-965.

     (3) Aerial manlift equipment.

     (a) These devices shall not be operated with any conductive part of the equipment closer to exposed energized power lines than the clearances set forth in Table 1 of this chapter.

     (b) Only qualified drivers shall be permitted to operate aerial manlift equipment and shall possess a current motor vehicle operator's license.

     (c) When performing work from aerial manlift equipment, the worker shall wear a safety belt attached to the boom.

     (d) When any aerial manlift equipment is parked at the jobsite, the brakes shall be set. Wheel chocks shall be used to prevent uncontrolled movement. If equipped with outriggers, the outriggers shall be implanted on firm footing.

     (e) Manufacturer's recommended maximum load limit shall be posted near each set of controls, kept in legible condition and the maximum load limit shall not be exceeded.

     (f) Flashing warning lights shall be installed and maintained on all aerial manlift equipment used on public thoroughfares.

     (4)(a) The operation of all motor vehicles and trailers shall be in conformance with the motor vehicle laws, the general safety and health standards of the state of Washington and all local traffic ordinances.

     (b) When it is necessary for the worker to work in the bucket at an elevated position with the vehicle in motion, there shall be direct communication between the worker and the vehicle operator.

     (5) Derrick trucks and similar equipment.

     (a) This equipment shall not be operated with any conductive part of the equipment closer to exposed energized power lines than the clearances set forth in Table 1 of this chapter.

     (b) When derricks are used to handle poles near energized power conductors, these operations shall comply with the requirements contained in WAC 296-32-220(10) and 296-32-330(11) of this chapter.

     (c) Moving parts of equipment and machinery carried on or mounted on telecommunications line trucks shall be guarded. This may be done with barricades as specified in WAC 296-32-240(2) of this chapter.

     (d) Derricks and the operation of derricks shall comply with the following requirements:

     (i) Manufacturer's specifications, load ratings and instructions for derrick operation shall be strictly observed.

     (ii) Rated load capacities and instructions related to derrick operation shall be conspicuously posted on a permanent weather-resistant plate or decal in a location on the derrick that is plainly visible to the derrick operator.

     (iii) Prior to derrick operation the parking brake must be set and the stabilizers extended if the vehicle is so equipped. When the vehicle is situated on a grade, at least two wheels must be chocked on the downgrade side.

     (iv) Only persons trained in the operation of the derrick shall be permitted to operate the derrick.

     (v) Hand signals to derrick operators shall be those prescribed by ANSI B30.6-1969, "Safety Code for Derricks."

     (vi) The employer shall ensure that the derrick and its associated equipment are inspected by a competent person at intervals set by the manufacturer but in no case less than once per year. Records shall be maintained including the dates of inspections, and necessary repairs made.

     (vii) Modifications or additions to the derrick and its associated equipment that alter its capacity or affect its safe operation shall be made only with written certification from the manufacturer, or other equivalent entity, such as a nationally recognized testing laboratory, that the modification results in the equipment being safe for its intended use. Such changes shall require the changing and posting of revised capacity and instruction decals or plates. These new ratings or limitations shall be as provided by the manufacturer or other equivalent entity.

     (viii) Wire rope used with derricks shall be of improved plow steel or equivalent. Wire rope safety factors shall be in accordance with American National Standards Institute B30.6-1969.

     (ix) Wire rope shall be taken out of service, or the defective portion removed, when any of the following conditions exist:

     (A) The rope strength has been significantly reduced due to corrosion, pitting, or excessive heat, or

     (B) The thickness of the outer wires of the rope has been reduced to two-thirds or less of the original thickness, or

     (C) There are more than six broken wires in any one rope lay, or

     (D) There is excessive permanent distortion caused by kinking, crushing, or severe twisting of the rope.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-32-290, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 76-38, § 296-32-290, filed 12/30/76; Order 75-41, § 296-32-290, filed 12/19/75.]