Meeting Details:
Attendees will need to register at this link:
https://lni-wa-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7xQL5oyjSMuy6rsHztgv6A

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email and calendar item with your personal meeting link or phone number and the password. On the day/time of the meeting, you will need to click on that link or call, enter the appropriate password and then you will be in attendance. (Note: please check spam or junk mail for this confirmation email as it will be coming from Zoom.)

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will hold our next public stakeholder meeting to discuss and share the latest updates on the ongoing Trenching Rescue & Excavation Plan rulemaking. All who are interested are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Rulemaking Overview and Current Status:
Preventable injuries and fatalities involving trenching and related rescue efforts in Washington over the past several years have highlighted the importance of thorough pre-work planning, ongoing worksite communication, and consistent adherence to sound, documented procedures in mitigating inherent risks and reducing the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes in the event of an emergency.

Since filing a CR-101 (Preproposal Statement on Inquiry) in June 2021 to initiate the rulemaking process, DOSH has worked with stakeholders to discuss how best to improve worker safety and we have gradually refined draft rule revisions to Chapter 296-155 WAC Construction Work, Part N – Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring over multiple iterations based on the feedback received.

DOSH has again updated the discussion draft and seeks further input from those potentially impacted by changes to the existing rules. 

Discussion Draft (March 2022)

For more information check out the Trenching Rescue & Excavation Plan Rulemaking webpage.

Please send your comments, questions, or concerns to Erich Smith and Kevin Walder.