Crane safety legislation builds support in House

63 members have now signed on in support

February 20, 2007

OLYMPIA – A public hearing was held today on efforts to prevent crane accidents. Legislators, including prime-sponsor Rep. Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland), began looking at state laws on crane regulation after the November accident that killed a man in his apartment.

“There are some industries we over-regulate in this state. This is not one of them,” Eddy said. “This is a problem that is calling out for correction.”

Eddy represents the 48th District, which includes parts of Bellevue, the city where the crane accident occurred. Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) is sponsoring the companion bill in the Senate.

Outside the Legislature, support for the safety regulations includes representatives from the International Union of Operating Engineers, the City of Bellevue, the Department of Labor and Industries, and Sicklesteel Cranes.

The likelihood of passing the legislation this year appears strong, with 63 members signed on in support. The House Commerce and Labor Committee, which heard the bill today, needs to approve it before it can receive a vote on the floor.

“We need to deal with this problem, this year,” Eddy said. “After the accident in November, it was a huge surprise to most people that the state didn’t have some inspection of these multi-ton cranes.”

Details of the legislation:

- Creates a crane certification program under the Department of Labor and Industries

- Certified third-party inspections of cranes, their installation and its design

- Establishes requirements to be qualified as a crane operator

- Cranes may be operated by qualified persons only, or under supervision a qualified operator

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Staff contact: Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218

Bill information

HB 2171: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2171&year=2007

Radio and TV News Directors

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