Construction Lifting & Concrete Placement

Washington Lawmakers Consider Tower Crane Rules

Feb. 29, 2024

Legislation requires permits and on-site oversight during assembly and disassembly.

Legislators in Washington state want to require a permit before companies assemble or disassemble a tower crane.

In 2019, four people were killed when a crane fell from the top of a six-story building in Seattle. Investigators found that the collapse resulted from improper procedures. Connecting pins had been removed prematurely.

The legislation would require a “qualified technical representative” from the distributor or manufacturer be present during the assembly, disassembly, or reconfiguration of a tower crane. Violation of the law would be a criminal misdemeanor.

The legislation also requires local governments to arrange for street closures during assembly, disassembly, or reconfiguration of a tower crane. Governments must also notify residents and building occupants within the work zone of the procedures.

The bill passed in the House 70-20 and in the state Senate 48-0.

About the Author

Rod Sutton

Sutton has served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com since 2001.

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