In-person:
CenterPlace Event Center
2426 N Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216

A pre-hearing overview will begin at 1:00 p.m. The public hearing will start at 1:30 p.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 February 20, 2026.

The purpose of this rulemaking is to amend Chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety standards for construction work, Part N Excavation, trenching, and shoring, to require employers to complete a written work plan detailing appropriate risk analysis prior to beginning any work that requires a protective system. The adopted rule: (1) Creates a standalone definition section and adds a new definition of “work plan”; (2) Requires a competent person to remain onsite any time trenching excavation work is being performed; (3) Requires completion of a written trench excavation work plan (provided on the L&I website) for any trench excavation that requires a protective system under WAC 296-154-657(1)(a); employers may also create their own work plan that meets the criteria outlined in the rule; and (4) Addresses recordkeeping and training requirements of the trench excavation work plan.