Determine whether a high-rise window-cleaning descent job must be handled as an OSHA 1910.27(b) rope descent system or falls instead under 1910.66 powered-platform (BMU) rules

domain: osha-1910-27-vs-1910-66-classification · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
Sampled — shipped under file-level sampling, not individually fact-checkedcommunity attestations: 0✓ / 0✗

Steps

  1. Identify whether the building has a permanently installed suspended powered platform (BMU) serving the work area; if so, 1910.66 governs, not 1910.27(b)
  2. If no BMU exists and workers will descend on rope, confirm the job meets OSHA's 1910.27(b) rope descent system definition (vertical descent on a fixed rope using a rope descent device to gain access to a work location)
  3. Check the building's roof plan or anchor log to confirm the anchorage type matches the method chosen
  4. Confirm which fall-protection rule applies: 1910.140 for RDS, 1910.66 Appendix C for BMU-suspended personal fall arrest
  5. Document the classification decision and its basis in the job's pre-work safety plan

Known gotchas

Related routes

Classify a suspended-seat window cleaning setup as a boatswain's chair versus a true rope descent system before applying the correct OSHA subsection
boatswains-chair-vs-rds-classification · 5 steps · unrated
Determine whether a specific California suspended-access job falls under Title 8 Article 5 (window cleaning) or Article 6 (powered platforms and equipment for building maintenance)
cal-osha-article-5-vs-article-6 · 5 steps · unrated
Cross-reference OSHA 1910.66 Appendix C personal fall arrest system criteria when suspended workers are on a permanently installed building maintenance unit
osha-1910-66-appendix-c-pfas · 5 steps · unrated

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