N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 12 § 21.8

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 50, December 11, 2024

Section 21.8 - Working from boatswain's chairs

(a) Approval required over 75 feet. After October 1, 1967, a boatswain's chair which is suspended from a point with an elevation of more than 75 feet above the nearest street or ground surface shall be approved for the specific building and location where it is to be used to clean windows. Approval will not be considered unless other authorized means of cleaning the windows have been found impracticable or impossible due to the exterior features of the building.

(b) Suspended point height of 75 feet or less. A manually operated boatswain's chair which is suspended from a point with an elevation of 75 feet or less above the nearest street or ground surface is not required to be approved but shall conform to the following requirements:

(1) Safety belt and lifeline required. Each person working from a boatswain's chair shall be provided with and shall use an approved safety belt and a lifeline consisting of a hanging line and a tail line. The tail line shall be of minimum practical length and shall be attached to the hanging line by an approved special device to allow vertical adjustment of the point of attachment.

Note: See section 23.30 of Industrial Code Part (Rule No.) 23.

(2) Protection of street or ground area. Where a boatswain's chair is suspended over an area traversed by pedestrians or vehicular traffic, the ground area directly under the chair work zone shall be effectively blocked by barricade, or an attendant shall be stationed so as to keep the area clear.

(3) Skilled operators. Persons not trained in the use of boatswain's chairs shall not use such equipment.

(4) Chairs. Boatswain's chairs and all supports shall be designed and constructed to sustain without failure a minimum load of 600 pounds. Each chair shall be suspended from its four corners by means of rope slings, have a seat not less than 24 inches long by 10 inches wide and two inches in thickness if of soft wood or one and one-eighth inches in thickness if of oak or ash, and be reinforced across the full width by cleats securely fastened to each end. The chair seat may be constructed of material other than wood, provided the material is equivalent in strength to two inches of soft wood or one and one-eighth inches of oak or ash. If constructed of material of equivalent strength, cleats across the full width of the seat shall be provided unless structural analysis indicates they are not necessary.

(5) Tackle. Tackle shall consist of rope at least equal in strength to five-eighths inch first grade Manila rope and proper sized blocks. Rope attachment to a block shall be by a thimble and splice. Hooks shall be provided with means to prevent accidental disengagement.

(6) Anchorage. The object to which the tackle is anchored shall be rigid and of ample strength.

(7) Tie-ins. Tie-ins shall be provided for boatswain's chairs and used by the cleaner to prevent sway during the window cleaning operation.

(c) Powered boatswain's chairs. A powered boatswain's chair used for window cleaning shall be approved in respect to its hoisting machine and shall be subject to the requirements set forth in this section in subdivision (a) and paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (6) and (7) of subdivision (b).

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 § 21.8