Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Administrative Code
Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of
Chapter 296-304 - Safety standards for ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking
Section 296-304-09017 - Lifesaving equipment

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-304-09017

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Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024
Section 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:

A hazard assessment conducted according to the trade or occupation of affected employees will be considered to comply with this requirement if it addresses all PPE-related hazards to which employees are exposed in the course of their work activities.

1. Commercially available PFDs are marked or imprinted with the Type of PFD.

2. Type IV PFDs are throwable devices. They are used to aid persons who have fallen into the water.

3. The requirements for USCG approval are in 46 C.F.R. Part 160, Coast Guard Lifesaving Equipment Specifications.

You 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 flotation devices must not be used.

(2) Ring life buoys and ladders.
(a) You 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.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-304-09017

Amended by WSR 17-18-075, Filed 9/5/2017, effective 10/6/2017

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.