WAC 296-54-527   Seat belts.  Each machine equipped with ROPS or FOPS and each vehicle (whether provided by the employee or the employer) must meet the following requirements:

     (1) A seat belt must be provided for each vehicle, vehicle occupant, and all machines equipped with ROPS.


Note: An employer is not required to retrofit a vehicle that was not equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture.

     (2) Each employee must use the available seat belt while the vehicle or machine is being operated.

     (3) Each employee must securely and tightly fasten the seat belt to restrain the employee within the vehicle or machine cab.

     (4) Each machine seat belt must meet the requirements of the Society of Automotive Engineers Standard SAE J386, June 1985, "Operator Restraint Systems for Off-Road Work Machines." Seat belts need not be provided for equipment that is designed only for stand-up operations.

     (5) Seat belts must not be removed from any vehicle or machine. The employer must replace each seat belt that was removed from any vehicle or machine that was equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture.

     (6) Each seat belt must be maintained in a serviceable condition.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 06-07-142, § 296-54-527, filed 3/21/06, effective 5/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and[49.17].050 . 99-17-117, amended and recodified as § 296-54-527, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 96-22-013, § 296-54-529, filed 10/28/96, effective 1/1/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.240, chapters 43.22 and 42.30 RCW. 80-11-057 (Order 80-15), § 296-54-529, filed 8/20/80. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.150 and 49.17.240. 79-10-081 (Order 79-14), § 296-54-529, filed 9/21/79.]