WAC 296-59-125
Ski lift aerial work platforms. (1)
Construction and loading.
(a) All aerial work platforms shall be constructed to
sustain the permissible loading with a safety factor of four. The load permitted shall be calculated to include:
(i) The weight of the platform and all suspension
components;
(ii) The weight of each permitted occupant calculated at
two hundred fifty pounds per person including limited
handtools;
(iii) The weight of any additional heavy tools,
equipment, or supplies for tasks commonly accomplished from
the work platform.
(b) The floor of the platform shall not have openings
larger than two inches in the greatest dimension.
(c) The platform shall be equipped with toeboards at
least four inches high on all sides.
(d) Guardrails.
(i) The platform shall be equipped with standard height
and strength guardrails where such guardrails will pass
through the configuration of all lifts on which it is intended
to be used.
(ii) Where guardrails must be less than thirty-six inches
high in order to clear carriages, guideage, etc., guardrails
shall be as high as will clear the obstructions but never less
than twelve inches high.
(iii) If the work platform is equipped with an upper work
level, the upper level platform shall be equipped with a
toeboard at least four inches high.
(iv) Each platform shall be equipped with a lanyard
attachment ring for each permissible occupant to attach a
safety belt lanyard.
(v) Each lanyard attachment ring shall be of such
strength as to sustain five thousand four hundred pounds of
static loading for each occupant permitted to be attached to a
specific ring.
(vi) Attachment rings shall be permanently located as
close to the center balance point of the platform as is
practical.
(vii) The rings may be movable, for instance, up and down
a central suspension rod, but shall not be completely
removable.
(e) Platform attachment.
(i) The platform shall be suspended by either a standard
wire rope four part bridle or by solid metal rods, bars, or
pipe.
(ii) The attachment means chosen shall be of a type which
will prevent accidental displacement.
(iii) The attachment means shall be adjusted so that the
platform rides level when empty.
(f) Maintenance.
(i) Every aerial work platform shall be subjected to a
complete annual inspection by qualified personnel.
(ii) The inspection shall include all structural members,
welding, bolted or treaded fittings, and the suspension
components.
(iii) Any defect noted shall be repaired before the
platform is placed back in service.
(iv) A written record shall be kept for each annual
inspection. The record shall include:
(A) The inspector identification;
(B) All defects found;
(C) The identity of repair personnel;
(D) Identity of the postrepair inspector who accepted the
platform for use.
(g) The platform shall be clearly identified as to the
number of permissible passengers and the weight limit of
additional cargo permitted.
(i) Signs shall be applied on the outside of each side
panel.
(ii) Signs shall be maintained in clearly legible
condition.
(h) Unless the side guardrail assembly is at least
thirty-six inches high on all sides, signs shall be placed on
the inside floor or walls to clearly inform all passengers
that they must use a safety belt and lanyard at all times when
using the platform.
(2) Work platform use.
(a) Platforms shall be attached to the haulrope with an
attachment means which develops a four to one strength factor
for the combined weight of the platform and all permissible
loading.
(b) The haulrope attachment means shall be designed to
prevent accidental displacement.
(c) Trained and competent personnel shall attach and
inspect the platform before each use.
(d) Passengers shall be provided with and shall use the
correct safety harness and lanyard for the intended work.
(e) Any time a passenger's position is not protected by a
standard guardrail at least thirty-six inches high, the
individual shall be protected by a short lanyard which will
not permit free-fall over the platform edge.
(f) When personnel are passengers on a work platform and
their work position requires the use of a safety harness and
lanyard, the lanyard shall be attached to the work platform,
not to the haulrope or tower.
(g) Work platform passengers shall face in the direction
of travel when the lift is moving.
(h) Tools, equipment and supplies shall be loaded on the
platform in such a fashion that the loaded platform can safely
pass all towers and appurtenances.
(i) Heavy tools, equipment or supplies shall be secured
in place if they could fall over or roll within the platform
and create a hazard for passengers.
(j) When the work crew is traveling on the work platform,
the lift shall be operated at a speed which is safe for that
particular system and the conditions present.
Note:
See Appendix 2 for operating procedure requirements.