Trench Excavation Work Plan Rulemaking
See all the rulemaking activity for Trench Excavation Work Plan on our L&I Rulemaking page.
Status
Effective June 1, 2026, DOSH has amended WAC 296-155-655, General protection requirements, under 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 and prior to beginning any work that requires a protective system. Definitions applicable to the chapter were moved from WAC 296-155-650 to a new section, WAC 296-155-652.
Despite the existing requirement for employers to “ensure prompt and safe removal of injured employees from elevated work locations, trenches and excavations prior to commencement of work”, inspection data revealed multiple fatalities and numerous injuries related to excavation and trenching work in Washington. The conclusions of fatality investigations in recent years suggest that a better approach to risk analysis could serve greatly to reduce the likelihood of similar fatalities in the future.
Adopted amendments:
- Add “Work Plan” to definitions.
- Require a competent person to remain onsite any time trenching and excavation work is being performed.
- Require completion of a written work plan 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.
- Address recordkeeping and training requirements of the work plan.
Learn more about our rulemaking process and terminology.
Inspection data over the past several years show that excavation and trenching is uniquely hazardous work, and the failure to adequately plan for potential problems can result in catastrophic consequences. Between 2016 and 2020, there were multiple fatalities related to excavation and trenching work in Washington, in addition to numerous reported injuries.
DOSH believes that these fatalities and injuries are preventable, and that by adopting rule language to ensure that employers regularly assess the condition of their worksite, formally document hazards and rescue procedures, and communicate with workers on the job site before work ever begins, there can be a substantial reduction in the likelihood of similar, preventable tragedies from occurring in the future.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Filed CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry | June 22, 2021 |
| Filed CR-102 Proposed Rulemaking | January 6, 2026 |
| Public Hearing - Tukwila | February 10, 2026 |
| Public Hearing – Spokane Valley | February 11, 2026 |
| Public Hearing - Virtual/Telephone | February 12, 2026 |
| Filed CR-103 Permanent Rulemaking | April 21, 2026 |
| Effective Date | June 1, 2026 |
Public Hearings
Previous Stakeholder Meetings
Permanent rule filing
- WAC 296-155-650 Adopted Language
- Concise Explanatory Statement (CES)
- Trench Excavation Evaluation and Work Plan (F417-324-000)
- Evaluación y plan de trabajo de excavación de zanjas (F417-324-999 - Español)
- Trench Excavation Safety Guide (F417-325-000)
Proposal rule filing
Stakeholder Drafts
- Draft Proposed Language, March 2025
- Draft Trench Excavation Evaluation & Work Plan, July 2025
- Discussion Draft, Spring 2023
- Draft Trench Work Plan Template
- Discussion Draft, June 2022
- Discussion Draft, March 2022
- Discussion Draft, March 2022 (with source references)
- Discussion Draft, November 2021
- Discussion Draft, November 2021(with source references)
- Discussion Draft, August 2021
- Discussion Draft, June 2021
- Rulemaking Presentation 2021
Staff Contacts
For rulemaking questions, please contact:
Carmyn.Shute@Lni.wa.gov or 360-870-4525.
For technical questions please contact:
Teri.Neely@Lni.wa.gov or 360-490-3487.
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