Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-24 - General safety and health standards › Part J-1 - WORKING SURFACES, GUARDING FLOORS AND WALL OPENINGS › Section 296-24-73502 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
As used in Part J of this chapter, the following definitions
				  apply:
Alternating tread-type stair.
A type of stairway
				  consisting of a series of treads that are usually attached to a center support
				  in an alternating manner such that an employee typically does not have both
				  feet on the same level while using the stairway.
Dockboard.
A portable or fixed device that spans
				  a gap or compensates for a difference in elevation between a loading platform
				  and a transport vehicle. Dockboards include, but are not limited to, bridge
				  plates, dock plates, and dock levelers.
Failure.
A load refusal, breakage, or separation
				  of component parts. A load refusal is the point at which the ultimate strength
				  of a component or object is exceeded.
Grab bar.
An individual horizontal or vertical
				  handhold installed to provide access above the height of the ladder.
Guardrail system.
A barrier erected along an
				  unprotected or exposed side, edge, or other area of a walking-working surface
				  to prevent employees from falling to a lower level. For dimension requirements
				  (rail heights, etc.), see the unified fall protection rule (chapter 296-880
				  WAC).
Handrail.
Means a rail used to provide employees
				  with a handhold for support.
Lower level.
A surface or area to which an
				  employee could fall. Such surfaces or areas include, but are not limited to,
				  ground levels, floors, roofs, ramps, runways, excavations, pits, tanks,
				  materials, water, equipment, and similar surfaces and structures, or portions
				  thereof.
Maximum intended load.
The total load (weight
				  and force) of all employees, equipment, vehicles, tools, materials, and other
				  loads the employer reasonably anticipates to be applied to a walking-working
				  surface at any one time.
Nose, nosing.
That portion of a tread projecting
				  beyond the face of the riser immediately below.
Open riser.
The gap or space between treads of
				  stairways that do not have upright or inclined members (risers).
Platform.
A walking-working surface that is
				  elevated above the surrounding area.
Qualified.
Describes a person who, by possession
				  of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by
				  extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the
				  ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work,
				  or the project.
Railing.
A vertical barrier erected along
				  exposed sides of stairways and platforms to prevent falls of persons. The top
				  member of railing usually serves as a handrail.
Ramp.
An inclined walking-working surface used
				  to access another level.
Rise.
The vertical distance from the top of a
				  tread to the top of the next higher tread.
Riser.
The upright (vertical) or inclined member
				  of a stair that is located at the back of a stair tread or platform and
				  connects close to the front edge of the next higher tread, platform, or
				  landing.
Runway.
An elevated walking-working surface,
				  such as a catwalk, a foot walk along shafting, or an elevated walkway between
				  buildings.
Ship stair (ship ladder).
A stairway that is
				  equipped with treads, stair rails, and open risers, and has a slope that is
				  between 50 and 70 degrees from the horizontal.
Spiral stairs.
A series of treads attached to a
				  vertical pole in a winding fashion, usually within a cylindrical space.
Stair platform.
An extended step or landing
				  breaking a continuous run of stairs.
Stair rail or stair rail system.
A barrier
				  erected along the exposed or open side of stairways to prevent employees from
				  falling to a lower level.
Stairway (stairs).
Risers and treads that
				  connect one level with another, and includes any landings and platforms in
				  between those levels. Stairways include standard, spiral, alternating
				  tread-type, and ship stairs.
Standard stairs.
A fixed or permanently
				  installed stairway. Ship, spiral, and alternating tread-type stairs are not
				  considered standard stairs.
Tread.
A horizontal member of a stair or
				  stairway, but does not include landings or platforms.
Unprotected sides and edges.
Mean any side or
				  edge of a walking-working surface (except at entrances and other points of
				  access) where there is no wall, guardrail system, or stair rail system to
				  protect an employee from falling to a lower level. For requirements relating to
				  unprotected sides and edges, see the unified fall protection rule (chapter
				  296-880 WAC).
Walking-working surface.
Any surface, whether
				  horizontal or vertical on which an employee walks, works, or gains access to a
				  work area or workplace location. Walking-working surfaces include, but are not
				  limited to, floors, the ground, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, stairs,
				  dockboards, formwork and concrete reinforcing steel.