WAC 296-155-235   Working over or adjacent to water.  (1) When an employee is employed under conditions which expose them to a risk of drowning, they shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life saving device, unless it can be shown that conditions, such as shallow water, are such that flotation would not be achieved.

     (2) Prior to and after each use, the buoyant life saving device shall be inspected for defects which would alter their strength or buoyancy. Defective units shall not be used.

     (3) Ring buoys with at least ninety feet of line shall be provided and readily available for emergency rescue operations. Distance between ring buoys shall not exceed two hundred feet.

     (4) At least one lifesaving skiff shall be immediately available at locations where employees are working over or adjacent to water. Each skiff, or skiffs, shall:

     (a) Be suitable for conditions where used.

     (b) Be equipped with oar locks securely attached to gunwales, oars, one boat hook, and one cork ring buoy with fifty feet of suitable line attached.

     (5) Whenever boats or skiffs cannot be used, due to swift currents, life lines close to the water surface shall be provided and, wherever practicable, a line shall be stretched across the stream with tag lines.

     (6) Where workers are transported by boat or barge, only such number of persons shall be carried that can be safely accommodated on fixed seats. Capacity showing number of persons shall be plainly marked on vessel.

     (7) All workers shall be provided with a U.S. Coast Guard approved buoyant life saving device while transported in open boats and/or barges, and where deemed necessary by the department, workers shall wear same while in transport.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-155-235, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 74-26, § 296-155-235, filed 5/7/74, effective 6/6/74.]