The bill aims to improve construction crane safety in Washington State, particularly for tower cranes, in response to a tragic incident in Seattle. It introduces new requirements for permitting, street closures, and penalties to ensure safe assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration of tower cranes. Key provisions include the necessity for prime contractors to obtain permits before crane operations, the establishment of a safety permit conference to clarify responsibilities, and the requirement for a certified crane inspector to oversee inspections. The legislation also mandates annual inspections and inspections after significant modifications, emphasizing adherence to manufacturer guidelines and safety standards.

Additionally, the bill amends existing regulations by requiring cranes to have a valid certificate of operation issued by a certified crane inspector, which must be displayed in the operator's cab. It clarifies that these certificates are valid for one year and exempts maritime cranes from the new regulations. The Department of Labor and Industries is tasked with adopting rules for implementing the new safety measures, which include the presence of qualified personnel during operations, the creation of a written job plan, and the establishment of stop work procedures. Furthermore, tower crane manufacturers and distributors are required to provide public access to operational instructions, and municipalities must coordinate permit issuance for street closures with crane assembly work zones to keep residents informed of any disruptions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 49.17.400, 49.17.420, 49.17.440