WAC 296-304-09017   Lifesaving equipment.  (1) Personal flotation devices (PFD).

     • You must provide your employees with PFDs approved by the United States Coast Guard for use on commercial or merchant vessels. The following are appropriate or allowable United States Coast Guard approved PFDs:

Type of PFD	General Description
Type I	Off-shore life jacket - effective for all waters or where rescue may be delayed.
Type II	Near-shore buoyant vest - intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue.
Type III	Flotation aid - good for calm, inland water, or where there is a good chance of rescue.
Type V	Flotation aids such as boardsailing vests, deck suits, work vests and inflatable PFDs marked for commercial use.

Note:	• Commercially available PFDs are marked or imprinted with the Type of PFD.
	• Type IV PFDs are throwable devices. They are used to aid persons who have fallen into the water.
	• The requirements for USCG approval are in 46 CFR Part 160, Coast Guard Lifesaving Equipment Specifications.

     The employer must ensure that each personal flotation device is inspected before use for dry rot, chemical damage, or other defects that may affect its strength and buoyancy. Defective personal floatation devices shall not be used.

     (2) Ring life buoys and ladders.

     (a) The employer must ensure that when work is performed on a floating vessel 200 feet (61 m) or more in length, at least three 30-inch (0.76 m) U.S. Coast Guard approved ring life buoys with lines attached are located in readily visible and accessible places. Ring life buoys must be located one forward, one aft, and one at the access to the gangway.

     (b) On floating vessels under 200 feet (61 m) in length, at least one 30-inch (0.76 m) U.S. Coast Guard approved ring life buoy with line attached must be located at the gangway.

     (c) At least one 30-inch (0.76 m) U.S. Coast Guard approved ring life buoy with a line attached must be located on each staging alongside of a floating vessel on which work is performed.

     (d) At least 90 feet (27.43 m) of line must be attached to each ring life buoy.

     (e) There must be at least one portable or permanent ladder near each floating vessel on which work is performed. The ladder must be long enough to help an employee reach safety in the event of a fall into the water.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-04-099, § 296-304-09017, filed 2/4/03, effective 8/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040,[49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 98-02-006, § 296-304-09017, filed 12/26/97, effective 3/1/98.]