Legislature moves to boost crane safety

OLYMPIA – The death of a Bellevue apartment dweller by a falling crane last year has prompted state lawmakers to look at ways of ensuring that such a tragedy does not occur again. Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, and Rep. Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland, have introduced companion measures to regulate crane safety and require that operators be certified.

“With all the construction going on in Seattle, the Eastside, and across the state, the potential for another accident is still present,” said Kohl-Welles, the chair of the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee. “This is a matter of worker and public safety, first and foremost.”

“It’s unfortunate this safety measure comes too late to save the life of Matthew Ammon,” Eddy said, referring to the 31-year old Bellevue man. “My hope is that we’ve learned from this tragedy so other lives may be saved.”

Senate Bill 5990 and House Bill 2171 would require the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to establish by rule a crane certification program, which would allow inspectors to issue certificates for the operation of certain cranes. Crane owners would be assigned several responsibilities. And under rules to be written by L&I, crane operators would need to meet certain requirements for certification.

The legislation, which is sponsored by 52 members of the House of Representatives and 30 members of the Senate, would take effect Jan. 1, 2010.

The Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee has scheduled the bill for a public hearing at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, in Senate Hearing Room 4 in the John A. Cherberg Building in Olympia. The House Commerce & Labor Committee will take up the bill in a public hearing at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in House Hearing Room C in the John L. O’Brien Building. With the bill now undergoing several revisions, a proposed substitute bill may be considered at the Senate hearing.

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