WAC 296-155-55400. Use boatswain's chairs as a last resort

(1) The employer must only use boatswain's chairs when it is not possible to accomplish the task in a less hazardous way. (2) Follow all applicable requirements in this part for the use of boatswain chairs. (3) The chair must be capable of supporting its own weight and at least five times the maximum intended load. (4) Boatswain's chair tackle must consist of correct size ball bearings or bushed blocks containing safety hooks and properly "eye-spliced" minimum 5/8 inch (1.6 cm) diameter first-grade manila rope, or other rope which will satisfy the criteria (e.g., strength and durability) of manila rope. (5) Boatswain's chair seat slings must be a minimum of 5/8 inch (1.6 cm) diameter fiber, synthetic, or other rope which will satisfy the criteria (e.g., strength, slip resistance, durability, etc.) of first-grade manila rope. (6) Boatswain's chair seat slings must be reeved through four corner holes in the seat; must cross each other on the underside of the seat; and must be rigged so as to prevent slippage which could cause an out-of-level condition. (7) Hooks on headache ball assemblies, lower load blocks, or other attachment assemblies must be of a type that can be closed and locked, eliminating the hook throat opening. Alternatively, an alloy anchor type shackle with a bolt, nut and retaining pin may be used.