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    1. Construction Lifting & Concrete Placement

    Washington Lawmakers Consider Tower Crane Rules

    Feb. 29, 2024
    Legislation requires permits and on-site oversight during assembly and disassembly.
    Photo 15135597 © Davidgn | Dreamstime.com
    State capital in Olympia, Washington.
    State capital in Olympia, Washington.

    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.

    Read also: Pins Removed Early in Seattle Crane Collapse

    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. 

    Our mission is to help managers of heavy equipment and trucks to improve their performance in acquiring and managing their fleets. One way we do that is with our Executive Institute, where experts share information and ideas that will enable equipment managers to accurately manage equipment costs so that they can deliver the optimum financial benefits to their organizations.

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