1. (1) Employers must make sure the car is built to the following specifications:

   1. (a) The car platform is not greater than 30 inches on either side (6.25 square feet area).
   2. (b) The car frame and platform must be of steel or sound seasoned wood construction and be designed with a safety factor of not less than four for metal and six for wood, based on a maximum capacity of 250 pounds.
   3. (c) All frame members must be securely bolted, riveted or welded and braced. If bolted, lock washers or lock nuts must be used.
   4. (d) Where wooden frame members are bolted, large washers or metal plates must be used to minimize the possibility of splitting or cracking the wood.

2. (2) Employers must enclose the sides of the car by a minimum of two safety guard rails with the top rail not less than 36 inches nor more than 42 inches from the car floor. Rails must sustain a horizontal thrust of 250 pounds. If solid material is used it must be smooth surfaced and not less than one-half inch thickness, if wood; not less than 16 gauge thickness, if steel; and must be constructed from the car floor to a height of not less than three feet.

   1. (a) Where the hoistway is not enclosed on the entrance side of the car, a self-locking or drop bar gate must be provided. The car gate may be of the folding type, horizontally swung, provided it swings into the car enclosure. Drop bar gates must be of two bar construction, parallelogram type, and conform to requirements specified for car guard rails.
   2. (b) The car gate must drop into locking slots or be provided with a positive locking type latch capable of withstanding 250 pounds horizontal thrust.
3. (3) Employers must make sure every car has a substantial protective top. The front half may be hinged. The protective top may be made from number nine U.S. wire gauge screen, 11 gauge expanded metal, 14 gauge sheet steel, three-quarter inch or heavier plywood. If made of wire screen or metal, the openings must reject a one-half inch diameter ball.
4. (4) Employers must make sure every car has a proper rack to hold the balance weights.

5. (5) Employers must conspicuously post a sign within the car bearing the following information:

   1. (a) Maximum capacity one person;
   2. (b) Total load limit in pounds;
   3. (c) For authorized personnel use only.

6. (6) Employers must equip every car with a spring loaded foot brake which:

   1. (a) Operates independently of the car safeties;
   2. (b) Operates in both directions and will stop and hold the car and its load;
   3. (c) Locks the car in its position automatically whenever the operator releases the pressure on the foot pedal.

7. (7) Employers must equip every car with a car safety device which:

   1. (a) Applies to the sides of the main guide rails;
   2. (b) Stops and holds the car and its load immediately when the hoisting rope breaks.
8. (8) Employers must make sure every car has a minimum clearance of six feet six inches from the top of the car platform to the bottom edge of the crosshead or any other obstruction.
9. (9) Employers must provide and firmly attach a tool box with minimum dimensions of four inches wide by 16 inches long by three inches in depth to the car structure.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 70.54.480, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 26-07-053, s 296-56-60193, filed 3/17/26, effective 4/20/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 15-24-102, § 296-56-60193, filed 12/1/15, effective 1/5/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. WSR 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60193, filed 1/17/86; WSR 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60193, filed 12/11/84.]