Section 296-59-115. Ski lift facilities and structures.

(1) Existing ski lift facilities and structures shall not be required to be retrofitted with standard construction work platforms, walkways, stairs or guardrails on exterior surfaces when such features would add significantly to snow loading considerations. When such standard protective features are omitted, alternative personal protective measures shall be used where possible. Examples include but are not limited to: Safety belt and lanyard, ladder climbing safety devices, temporary work platforms or scaffolds, temporary or removable handrails, guardrails, or walkways.

(2) Snow removal.

(a) During the operating season, standard guardrails which would interfere with snow removal may be omitted in areas where it can be anticipated that frequent snow removal will be necessary to maintain operability of ski lift apparatus. Examples could include but are not limited to the motor house roof or loading and unloading areas.

(b) Personnel barricades, signs, or other devices shall be used to deflect traffic or warn personnel of existing fall hazards.

(3) All ski lift towers installed after the effective date of this standard shall be equipped with permanent ladders or steps which meet the following minimum requirements:

(a) The minimum design live load shall be a single concentrated load of two hundred pounds.

(b) The number and position of additional concentrated live load units of two hundred pounds each as determined from anticipated usage of the ladder shall be considered in the design.

(c) The live loads imposed by persons occupying the ladder shall be considered to be concentrated at such points as will cause the maximum stress in the structural member being considered.

(d) The weight of the ladder and attached appurtenances together with the live load shall be considered in the design of rails and fastenings.

(e) All rungs shall have a minimum diameter of three-fourths inch.

(f) The distance between rungs on steps shall not exceed twelve inches and shall be uniform throughout the ladder length. The top rung shall be located at the level of the landing or equipment served by the ladder.

(g) The minimum clear length of rungs or steps shall be sixteen inches on new installations.

(h) Rungs, cleats, and steps shall be free of sharp edges, burrs, or projections which may be a hazard.

(i) The rungs of an individual-rung ladder shall be so designed that the foot cannot slide off the end. (A suggested design is shown in Figure D-1, at the end of this section.)

(j) Side rails which might be used as a climbing aid shall be of such cross sections as to afford adequate gripping surface without sharp edges or burrs.

(k) Fastenings. Fastenings shall be an integral part of fixed ladder design.

(l) All splices made by whatever means shall meet design requirements as noted in (a) of this subsection. All splices and connections shall have smooth transition with original members and with no sharp or extensive projections.

(m) Adequate means shall be employed to protect dissimilar metals from electrolytic action when such metals are joined.

(n) Welding. All welding shall be in accordance with the "Code for Welding in Building Construction" (AWS D1.0-1966).

(o) Protection from deterioration. Metal ladders and appurtenances shall be painted or otherwise treated to resist corrosion and rusting when location demands.

(4) Installation and clearance.

(a) Pitch.

(i) The preferred pitch of fixed ladders is between the range of seventy-five degrees and ninety degrees with the horizontal (Figure D-4).

(ii) Substandard pitch. Fixed ladders shall be considered as substandard if they are installed within the substandard pitch range of forty-five and seventy-five degrees with the horizontal. Substandard fixed ladders are permitted only where it is found necessary to meet conditions of installation. This substandard pitch range is considered as a critical range to be avoided, if possible.

(iii) Pitch greater than ninety degrees. Ladders having a pitch in excess of ninety degrees with the horizontal are prohibited.

(b) Clearances.

(i) The perpendicular distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object on the climbing side of the ladder shall be thirty-six inches for a pitch of seventy-six degrees, and thirty inches for a pitch of ninety degrees (Figure D-2), with minimum clearances for intermediate pitches varying between these two limits in proportion to the slope.

(ii) A clear width of at least fifteen inches shall be provided each way from the centerline of the ladder in the climbing space.

(iii) The side rails of through or side-step ladder extensions shall extend three and one-half feet above parapets and landings.

(A) For through ladder extensions, the rungs shall be omitted from the extension and shall have not less than eighteen nor more than twenty-four inches clearance between rails.

(B) For side-step or offset fixed ladder sections, at landings, the side rails and rungs shall be carried to the next regular rung beyond or above the three and one-half feet minimum.

(iv) Grab bars shall be spaced by a continuation of the rung spacing when they are located in the horizontal position. Vertical grab bars shall have the same spacing as the ladder side rails. Grab bar diameters shall be the equivalent of the round-rung diameters.

(v) Clearance in back of ladder. The distance from the centerline of rungs, cleats, or steps to the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder shall be not less than seven inches, except that when unavoidable obstructions are encountered, minimum clearances as shown in Figure D-3 shall be provided.

(vi) Clearance in back of grab bar. The distance from the centerline of the grab bar to the nearest permanent object in back of the grab bars shall be not less than four inches. Grab bars shall not protrude on the climbing side beyond the rungs of the ladder which they serve.

(c) The step-across distance from the nearest edge of a ladder to the nearest edge of the equipment or structure shall be not more than twelve inches, or less than two and one-half inches. However, the step-across distance may be as much as twenty inches provided:

(i) The climber is wearing a safety belt and lanyard; and

(ii) The lanyard is attached to the tower structure before the climber steps off the ladder.

(5) Ski lift towers are not required to be equipped with ladder cages, platforms or landings.

(6) Maintenance and use.

(a) All ladders shall be maintained in a safe condition. All ladders shall be inspected regularly, with the intervals between inspections being determined by use and exposure.

(b) When ascending or descending, the climber must face the ladder.

(c) Personnel shall not ascend or descend ladders while carrying tools or materials which could interfere with the free use of both hands.

(7) Personnel shall be provided with and shall use ladder safety devices or safety belt and lanyard whenever feasible.

(8) Personnel shall not place mobile equipment or personal equipment such as skis, ski poles, or large tools within the falling radius of the lift tower while climbing or working on the lift tower.

(9) Ski lift towers and terminals are not required to be equipped with sheave guards on the haulrope wheels.

(10) Ski lift towers are not required to be equipped with work platforms.

(11) Personnel shall use personal protective equipment such as a safety belt and lanyard when working at unprotected elevated locations. Exception to this requirement shall only be permitted for emergency rescue or emergency inspection if a safety belt and lanyard is not immediately available. Required personal protective equipment shall be made available as quickly as possible.

(12) When fixed ladders on towers do not reach all the way down to the ground or snow level, a specifically designed and constructed portable ladder shall be used for access to and from the fixed ladder. Portable ladders shall be constructed and maintained to the following requirements:

(a) The portable ladder shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of subsection (3) of this section.

(b) The portable ladder shall be constructed with a minimum of two attachment hooks near the top to be utilized for securing the portable ladder onto the fixed ladder.

(c) The attachment hooks shall be installed to support the portable ladder near the fixed ladder siderails.

(d) Rungs or steps on the portable ladder shall be spaced to be identical with rungs or steps on the fixed ladder when the portable ladder is attached for use. The design criteria shall be to achieve a horizontal plane relationship on the top (walking surface) portion of both steps when overlapping is necessary.

(e) The portable ladder shall be equipped with a hold-out device near the bottom to assure clearance behind the steps as required by subsection (4)(b)(v) of this section.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 88-14-108 (Order 88-11), § 296-59-115, filed 7/6/88.]

Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 88-14-108 (Order 88-11), § 296-59-115, filed 7/6/88.