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The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has updated the Trenching Rescue & Excavation Plan discussion draft based on stakeholder input. We welcome your feedback as we continue to evaluate potential rule amendments to Chapter 296-155 WAC Construction Work, Part N – Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring in the interest of improving worker safety and reducing the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes in the event of an emergency.
Rulemaking Overview:
DOSH met with stakeholders in the spring to discuss why rulemaking was being considered, how the rulemaking process works, and potential rule amendments to Chapter 296-155 WAC, Part N. The draft rule amendments discussed centered on a potential new requirement for businesses to develop an Excavation Plan, which would essentially serve as a checklist to ensure that required safety measures are in place and that emergency rescue planning adequately accounts for the often changing real world conditions of a given worksite.
A CR-101 (Preproposal Statement on Inquiry) was filed on June 22, 2021 officially initiating the rulemaking process.
Next Steps:
DOSH will review public feedback on the updated discussion draft and will continue work to make revisions where appropriate. We currently plan to announce our next stakeholder meeting in the fall, stay tuned!
Discussion Draft
Discussion Draft (with track changes)
Additional information can be found at our Trenching Rescue & Excavation Plan Rulemaking webpage.
Please send your comments, questions, or concerns to Erich Smith and Kevin Walder.
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