Section 296-24-75003. Protection for floor openings.

(1) You must ensure that every ladderway floor opening or platform is guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard on all exposed sides (except at entrance to opening), with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening.

(2) You must ensure that every hatchway and chute floor opening is guarded by one of the following:

(a) Hinged floor opening cover of standard strength and construction equipped with standard railings or permanently attached thereto so as to leave only one exposed side. When the opening is not in use, the cover must be closed or the exposed side must be guarded at both top and intermediate positions by removable standard railings.

(b) A removable railing with toeboard on not more than two sides of the opening and fixed standard railings with toeboards on all other exposed sides. The removable railings must be kept in place when the opening is not in use and should preferably be hinged or otherwise mounted so as to be conveniently replaceable.

Where operating conditions necessitate the feeding of material into any hatchway or chute opening, protection must be provided to prevent a person from falling through the opening.

(c) The area under floor openings must, where practical, be fenced off. When this is not practical, the areas must be plainly marked with yellow lines and telltales shall be installed to hang within 5 1/2 feet of ground or floor level.

(d) Where floor openings are used to drop materials from one level to another, audible warning systems must be installed and used to indicate to employees on the lower level that material is to be dropped.

(3) You must ensure that every skylight opening and hole is guarded by a standard skylight screen or a fixed standard railing on all exposed sides.

(4) You must ensure that every pit and trapdoor floor opening, infrequently used, is guarded by a floor opening cover of standard strength and construction which should be hinged in place. While the cover is not in place, the pit or trap opening must be constantly attended by someone or must be protected on all exposed sides by removable standard railings.

(5) You must ensure that every manhole floor opening is guarded by a standard manhole cover which need not be hinged in place. While the cover is not in place, the manhole opening must be constantly attended by someone or must be protected by removable standard railings.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 15-24-100, § 296-24-75003, filed 12/1/15, effective 1/5/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-17-033, § 296-24-75003, filed 8/8/01, effective 9/1/01; Order 74-27, § 296-24-75003, filed 5/7/74; Order 73-5, § 296-24-75003, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-75003, filed 5/7/73.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 15-24-100, § 296-24-75003, filed 12/1/15, effective 1/5/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-17-033, § 296-24-75003, filed 8/8/01, effective 9/1/01; Order 74-27, § 296-24-75003, filed 5/7/74; Order 73-5, § 296-24-75003, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-75003, filed 5/7/73.