WAC 296-304-05013   Working surfaces.  (1) When firebox floors present tripping hazards of exposed tubing or of missing or removed refractory, sufficient planking to afford safe footing shall be laid while work is being carried on within the boiler.

     (2) The employer must provide and ensure the use of fall protection when employees work aloft or elsewhere at elevations more than 5 feet above a solid surface.

     (a) Employees must be protected by the use of scaffolds, ladders, or personal protection equipment according to WAC 296-304-09021, or 296-304-09023.

     (b) Employees must work from scaffolds when visually restricted by:

     • Blasting hoods;

     • Welding helmets; and

     • Burning goggles; except

     • For the initial and final welding or burning operation to start or complete a job such as the erection and dismantling of hung scaffolding; or

     • Other similar, nonrepetitive jobs of brief duration.

     (3) For work performed in restricted quarters, such as behind boilers and in between congested machinery units and piping, work platforms at least 20 inches wide meeting the requirements of WAC 296-304-05001 (8)(b) shall be used. Backrails may be omitted if bulkheading, boilers, machinery units, or piping afford proper protection against falling.

     (4) When employees are boarding, leaving, or working from small boats or floats, they shall be protected by personal flotation devices meeting the requirements of WAC 296-304-09017(1).



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-04-099, § 296-304-05013, filed 2/4/03, effective 8/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040,[49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 98-02-006, § 296-304-05013, filed 12/26/97, effective 3/1/98; Order 76-7, § 296-304-05013, filed 3/1/76; Order 74-25, § 296-304-05013, filed 5/7/74.]