In-person:
Enduris Training Facility
1610 South Technology Blvd
Spokane WA 99224

A pre-hearing overview will begin at 9:00 a.m. The public hearing will start at 10:00 a.m. and will continue until all oral comments are received.

L&I encourages the submittal of written comments, due by 5:00 p.m. on May 23, 2025.

One purpose of this proposed rulemaking is to amend the safety standards for cranes and derricks in construction under Chapter 296-155 WAC, Part L. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated their standards in 2015 and 2018, which included clarifying each employer's duty to ensure the competency of crane operators through training, certification or licensing, and evaluation. Secondly, the proposed rulemaking is to implement legislation passed in 2024. Second Substitute House Bill 2022 (2SHB 2022) (Chapter 311, Laws of 2024), codified under RCW 49.17.400 through 49.17.445, created new requirements for tower cranes. The new law is in response to an incident in 2019 in which bystanders and workers died following the collapse of a tower crane in Seattle, Washington. The incident was preventable, and 2SHB 2022 aims to address causes of that incident. This rulemaking also intends to provide clarity on L&I’s interpretation of requirements related to crane decertification and reinstatement. The changes under consideration would clarify what activities are covered, and will clearly state that damage to critical parts of the crane would require notification, rather than just implying it. The proposed language will also add crane tipovers as a reporting requirement, while the assumption is that a crane involved in a tipover would be given an inspection prior to returning to service. Finally, state-initiated amendments will also be proposed to address other areas in Chapter 296-155 WAC, Part L, relating to cranes that either need to be updated based on current industry practice, or to clarify some of the language to maintain safety and health protections for employees.