Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-880 - Unified safety standards for fall protection › Section 296-880-095 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
For the purposes of this chapter the following definitions
				apply:
(1)
Aerial device.
A vehicle-mounted device, telescoping or articulating, or both, which is used
			 to position personnel.
(2)
Affected area.
The distance away from the edge of an excavation
			 equal to the depth of the excavation up to a maximum distance of 15 feet. For
			 example, an excavation 10 feet deep has an affected area extending 10 feet from
			 the edge of any side of the excavation.
(3)
Anchorage.
A secure point of
			 attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices which is capable of
			 withstanding the forces specified in this chapter.
(4)
Boom-supported elevating work
			 platform.
A self-propelled, integral chassis, elevating work platform
			 with a boom-supported platform that can be positioned completely beyond the
			 base.
(5)
Catch
			 platform.
A type of fall arrest system that consists of a platform
			 installed within four vertical feet of the fall hazard, is at least 45 inches
			 wide and is equipped with a standard guardrail system on all exposed
			 sides.
(6)
Catenary
			 line.
See "horizontal lifeline."
(7)
Competent person.
An
			 individual knowledgeable of fall protection equipment, including the
			 manufacturer's recommendations and instructions for the proper use, inspection,
			 and maintenance; and who is capable of identifying existing and potential fall
			 hazards; and who has the authority to take prompt corrective action to
			 eliminate those hazards; and who is knowledgeable of the requirements contained
			 in this chapter regarding the installation, use, inspection, and maintenance of
			 fall protection equipment and systems.
(8)
Connector.
A device which is
			 used to connect parts of the personal fall arrest system and positioning device
			 systems together. It may be an independent component of the system, such as a
			 carabiner, or it may be an integral component of part of the system (such as a
			 buckle or D-ring sewn into a harness, or a snap hook spliced or sewn to a
			 lanyard or self-retracting lanyard).
(9)
Construction work.
All or
			 any part of excavation, construction, erection, alteration, repair, demolition,
			 and dismantling of buildings and other structures and all operations in
			 connection therewith; the excavation, construction, alteration and repair of
			 sewers, trenches, caissons, conduits, pipe lines, roads and all operations
			 pertaining thereto; the moving of buildings and other structures, and to the
			 construction, alteration, repair, or removal of wharfs, docks, bridges,
			 culverts, trestles, piers, abutments or any other construction, alteration,
			 repair or removal work related thereto.
(10)
Deceleration device.
Any
			 mechanism, such as a rope grab, ripstitch lanyard, specifically woven lanyard,
			 tearing or deforming lanyards, automatic self-retracting lifelines/lanyards,
			 etc., which serves to dissipate a substantial amount of energy during a fall
			 arrest, or otherwise limit the energy imposed on an employee during fall
			 arrest.
(11)
Deceleration
			 distance.
The additional vertical distance a falling employee travels,
			 excluding lifeline elongation and free fall distance, before stopping, from the
			 point at which the deceleration device begins to operate. It is measured as the
			 distance between the location of an employee's full body harness attachment
			 point at the moment of activation (at the onset of fall arrest forces) of the
			 deceleration device during a fall, and the location of that attachment point
			 after the employee comes to a full stop.
(12)
Dropline.
A vertical
			 lifeline secured to an upper anchorage for the purpose of attaching a lanyard
			 or device.
(13)
Elevating
			 work platform.
A device used to position personnel, along with their
			 necessary tools and materials, at work locations. It includes a platform and an
			 elevating assembly. It may be vehicle-mounted or have an integral chassis for
			 mobility and as a means of support.
(14)
Equivalent.
Alternative
			 designs, materials, or methods to protect against a hazard which the employer
			 can demonstrate and will provide an equal or greater degree of safety for
			 employees than the methods, materials, or designs specified in this
			 standard.
(15)
Fall arrest
			 system.
A fall protection system that will arrest a fall from elevation.
			 Fall arrest systems include personal fall arrest systems that are worn by the
			 user, catch platforms, and safety nets.
(16)
Fall distance.
The actual
			 distance from the worker's support to the level where a fall would
			 stop.
(17)
Fall protection
			 work plan.
A written planning document in which the employer identifies
			 all areas on the job site where a fall hazard of 10 feet or more exists. The
			 plan describes the method or methods of fall protection to be used to protect
			 employees, and includes the procedures governing the installation, use,
			 inspection, and removal of the fall protection method or methods which are
			 selected by the employer. See WAC 296-880-10020.
(18)
Fall restraint system.
A
			 system in which all necessary components function together to restrain/prevent
			 an employee from falling to a lower level. Types of fall restraint systems
			 include standard guardrail systems, personal fall restraint systems, warning
			 line systems, or a warning line system and safety monitor.
(19)
Feasible.
It is possible to
			 perform the work using a conventional fall protection system (i.e., guardrail
			 system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system) or that it is
			 technologically possible to use any one of these systems to provide fall
			 protection.
(20)
Free
			 fall.
The act of falling before a personal fall arrest system begins to
			 apply force to arrest the fall.
(21)
Free fall distance.
The
			 vertical displacement of the fall arrest attachment point on the employee's
			 full body harness between onset of the fall and just before the system begins
			 to apply force to arrest the fall. This distance excludes deceleration
			 distance, and lifeline/lanyard elongation, but includes any deceleration device
			 slide distance or self-retracting lifeline/lanyard extension before they
			 operate and fall arrest forces occur.
(22)
Full body harness.
A
			 configuration of connected straps that meets the requirements specified in ANSI
			 Z359.1, that may be adjustable to distribute a fall arresting force over at
			 least the thighs, shoulders and pelvis, with provisions for attaching a
			 lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration devices.
(23)
Full body harness system.
A
			 full body harness and lanyard which is either attached to an anchorage meeting
			 the requirements of this chapter; or it is attached to a horizontal or vertical
			 lifeline which is properly secured to an anchorage(s) capable of withstanding
			 the forces specified in this chapter.
(24)
Handrail.
A rail used to
			 provide employees with a handhold for support.
(25)
Hardware.
Snap hooks,
			 D-rings, bucklers, carabiners, adjusters, or O-rings, that are used to attach
			 the components of a fall protection system together.
(26)
Hazardous slope.
A slope
			 from which construction work is performed where normal footing cannot be
			 maintained without the use of devices due to the pitch of the surface, weather
			 conditions, or surface material.
(27)
Hole.
A gap or void two
			 inches or more in its least dimension, in a floor, roof, or other
			 surface.
(28)
Horizontal
			 lifeline.
A rail, rope, wire, or synthetic cable that is installed in a
			 horizontal plane between two anchorages and used for attachment of a worker's
			 lanyard or lifeline device while moving horizontally; used to control dangerous
			 pendulum like swing falls.
(29)
Infrequent.
The task or job is performed only on occasion, when
			 needed (e.g., equipment breakdown), on an occasional basis, or at sporadic or
			 irregular intervals.
(30)
Lanyard.
A flexible line of webbing, rope, or cable used to secure
			 a positioning harness or full body harness to a lifeline or an anchorage point
			 usually two, four, or six feet long.
(31)
Leading edge.
The advancing
			 edge of a floor, roof, or form-work which changes location as additional floor,
			 roof, or formwork sections are placed, formed, or constructed. A leading edge
			 is considered to be an "unprotected side or edge" during periods when it is not
			 actively and continuously under construction.
(32)
Lifeline.
A vertical line
			 from a fixed anchorage or between two horizontal anchorages, independent of
			 walking or working surfaces, to which a lanyard or device is secured. Lifeline
			 as referred to in this text is one which is part of a fall protection system
			 used as back-up safety for an elevated worker or as a restraint for workers on
			 a flat or sloped surface.
(33)
Locking snap hook.
A connecting snap hook that requires two
			 separate forces to open the gate; one to deactivate the gatekeeper and a second
			 to depress and open the gate which automatically closes when released; used to
			 minimize roll out or accidental disengagement.
(34)
Low pitched roof.
A roof
			 having a slope equal to or less than four in 12.
(35)
Maintenance.
The work of
			 keeping a building, machine, roadway, etc., in a state of good
			 repair.
(36)
Manually
			 propelled elevating work platform.
A manually propelled, integral
			 chassis, elevating work platform with a platform that cannot be positioned
			 completely beyond the base.
(37)
Mechanical equipment.
All motor or human propelled wheeled
			 equipment except for wheelbarrows, mopcarts, robotic thermoplastic welders, and
			 robotic crimpers.
(38)
Opening.
A gap or void 30 inches (76 cm) or more high and 18
			 inches (48 cm) or more wide, in a wall or partition, through which employees
			 can fall to a lower level.
(39)
Personal fall arrest system.
A fall arrest system that is worn by
			 the employee to arrest the employee in a fall from elevation. It consists of an
			 anchor point, connectors, a full body harness, and may include a lanyard,
			 deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these.
(40)
Personal fall restraint
			 system.
A fall restraint system that is worn by the employee to keep the
			 employee from reaching a fall point, such as the edge of a roof or elevated
			 work surface. It consists of an anchor point, hardware assemblies, a full body
			 harness and may include a lanyard, restraint lines, or suitable combinations of
			 these.
(41)
Platform.
A work surface elevated above the surrounding floor or ground.
(42)
Positioning device system.
A full body harness or positioning harness that is worn by an employee, and is
			 rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical or inclined
			 surface, such as a wall, pole or column and work with both hands free from the
			 body support.
(43)
Positioning harness.
A body support that meets the requirements
			 specified in ANSI Z359.1 that encircles and closes around the waist and legs
			 with attachment elements appropriate for positioning work.
(44)
Qualified person.
One who,
			 by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or
			 who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully
			 demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the
			 subject matter, the work, or the project.
(45)
Repair.
To restore a
			 building, machine, roadway, etc., to an original state after damage or
			 decay.
(46)
Restraint
			 line.
A line from a fixed anchorage or between two anchorages to which
			 an employee is secured in such a way as to prevent the worker from falling to a
			 lower level.
(47)
Roof.
The exterior surface on the top of a building. This does not
			 include floors or formwork which, because a building has not been completed,
			 temporarily become the top surface of a building.
(48)
Roofing work.
The hoisting,
			 storage, application, and removal of roofing materials and equipment, including
			 related insulation, sheet metal, and vapor barrier work, but not including the
			 construction of the roof deck.
(49)
Rope grab.
A fall arrester that is designed to move up or down a
			 lifeline suspended from a fixed overhead or horizontal anchorage point, or
			 lifeline, to which the full body harness is attached. In the event of a fall,
			 the rope grab locks onto the lifeline rope through compression to arrest the
			 fall. The use of a rope grab device is restricted for all restraint
			 applications. See WAC 296-880-40025.
(50)
Runway.
A passageway for
			 persons, elevated above the surrounding floor or ground level, such as a
			 footwalk along shafting or a walkway between buildings.
(51)
Safety line.
See
			 "lifeline."
(52)
Safety
			 monitoring system.
A type of fall restraint system in which a competent
			 person whose only job responsibility is to recognize and warn employees of
			 their proximity to fall hazards when working between the warning line and the
			 unprotected sides and edges, including the leading edge of a low pitch roof or
			 other walking/working surface.
(53)
Safety net system.
A type of fall arrest system, as described in
			 WAC 296-880-40055.
(54)
Safety watch system.
A type of fall protection system in which a
			 competent person is responsible for recognizing and warning one employee of a
			 fall hazard.
(55)
Scaffold.
A temporary elevated platform, including its supporting
			 structure and anchorage points, used for supporting employees or
			 materials.
(56)
Self-propelled elevating work platform.
A self-propelled, integral
			 chassis, elevating work platform with a platform that cannot be positioned
			 completely beyond the base.
(57)
Self-rescue device.
A piece of equipment designed to allow a
			 person, who is suspended in a personal fall arrest system, to independently
			 rescue themselves after the fall by moving the device up or down until they
			 reach a surface and are no longer suspended.
(58)
Self-retracting lifeline.
A
			 deceleration device which contains a wound line which may be slowly extracted
			 from, or retracted onto, the device under slight tension during normal employee
			 movement, and which after onset of a fall, automatically locks the drum and
			 arrests the fall.
(59)
Service.
To repair or provide maintenance for.
(60)
Shock absorbing lanyard.
A
			 flexible line of webbing, cable, or rope used to secure a full body harness to
			 a lifeline or anchorage point that has an integral shock absorber.
(61)
Snap hook.
See "locking
			 snap hook."
(62)
Standard
			 guardrail system.
A type of fall restraint system that is a vertical
			 barrier consisting of a top rail and midrail, and toeboard when used as falling
			 object protection for persons who may work or pass below, that is erected along
			 all open sides or edges of a walking/working surface, ramps, platforms, or
			 runways.
(63)
Standard
			 strength and construction.
Any construction of guardrails, handrails,
			 covers, or other guards that meets the requirements of this chapter.
(64)
Static line.
See
			 "horizontal lifeline."
(65)
Steep pitched roof.
A roof having a slope greater than four in
			 12.
(66)
Structural
			 member.
A support that is a constituent part of any building or
			 structure. Structural members include columns, girders, beams, trusses, joists,
			 and similar supporting members of a building or structure.
(67)
Suitable.
That which fits,
			 or has the qualities or qualifications to meet a given purpose, occasion,
			 condition, function, or circumstance.
(68)
Temporary.
The duration of
			 the task the worker performs is brief or short.
(69)
Toeboard.
A vertical
			 barrier at floor level erected along all open sides or edges of a floor
			 opening, platform, runway, ramp, or other walking/working surface to prevent
			 materials, tools, or debris from falling onto persons passing through or
			 working in the area below.
(70)
Unprotected sides and edges.
Any open side or edge of a floor,
			 roof, balcony/deck, platform, ramp, runway, or walking/working surface where
			 there is no standard guardrail system, or parapet wall of solid strength and
			 construction that is at least 39 inches in vertical height.
(71)
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 reinforcing steel but not including
			 ladders.
(72)
Warning line
			 system.
A barrier erected on a walking and working surface or a low
			 pitch roof (four in 12 or less), to warn employees that they are approaching an
			 unprotected fall haz-ard(s).