1. (1) Work performed at an elevated position and directly under hovering helicopters must be performed only by qualified and capable employees.

   1. (a) Work must be limited to the minimum time necessary to guide, secure, hook or unhook the loads, provided that only a single point of attachment is required to secure the load.
   2. (b) When an employee is working from the ground under hovering helicopters, the employee must have a safe means of ingress and egress at all times, including a readily available escape route or routes in the event of an emergency.
2. (2) Except as specifically permitted under WAC 296-45-675 through 296-45-67545, no other work or work-related activity must be permitted under hovering helicopters.

3. (3) Positive guide systems must be used for the placement of large segments of primary tower structure and must enable the heavy lift helicopter to temporarily secure and release the load. Bolting of or otherwise permanently securing the structures is prohibited under hovering helicopters except that in the event of an unforeseen contingency of an emergency nature which represents a substantial hazard to life or property, an employee may do such work as is necessary to preserve life or protect substantial property.

   Note:

   This does not apply to assembly and erection of steel monopole construction.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 19-13-083, § 296-45-67523, filed 6/18/19, effective 8/1/19; WSR 16-10-081, § 296-45-67523, filed 5/3/16, effective 7/1/16; Order 76-38, § 296-45-67523, filed 12/30/76.]