Washington State Trenching Rule Now Requires Written Work Plans

Construction firms in Washington state that perform excavation, trenching and shoring work must complete a written work plan before a job begins under a new rule adopted by the state’s Department of Labor & Industries.

Rule Requirements

The rule amends current regulations to require employers to complete a written work plan detailing appropriate risk analysis prior to beginning any work that requires a protective system. The rule establishes a definition for work plan. It requires a competent person to be onsite during trenching and excavation work. The rule covers recordkeeping and training requirements of a work plan. Washington L&I will provide a written work plan template on its website, and employers may create their own plan that meets the rule criteria.

Timeline and Process

The rule was published April 21 and is set to go into effect June 1. A notice of intent regarding the rule was published in June 2021. A public comment period opened Jan. 7, and three public hearings took place in February.

Background for the Change

According to Safety+Health Magazine, L&I says the rulemaking was spurred by statewide investigations into trenching and excavation incidents in recent years that suggested better risk analysis could greatly reduce worker deaths. The requirement applies to firms conducting excavation, trenching and shoring work in the state.