SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5367

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

       Labor & Workforce Development, February 18, 1999

Title:  An act relating to requiring a permanent anchor for worker fall protection.

Brief Description:  Requiring a permanent anchor for worker fall protection.

Sponsors:  Senators Kline, Prentice, Winsley, Fairley, McAuliffe, Jacobsen, Thibaudeau, Shin and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  2/9/99, 2/18/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Kline and Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senator Hochstatter.

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (786-7472)

Background:  Concerns exist regarding the safety of residential and commercial construction workers who work on roofs and other high places.  A type of permanent anchoring device has been invented that allows the worker to attach a safety line to a secure point.

Summary of Bill:  The Building Code Council adopts rules requiring the installation of permanent anchors for worker fall protection on all new commercial and residential construction, and on all replacement of existing roofs.

The council considers the Department of Labor and Industries rules on fall restraint and arrest in determining the design and placement of the permanent anchors.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Use of permanent anchors can protect workers and homeowners in a cost-effective way.  Washington State construction injuries are higher than the national average.

Testimony Against:  Anchors are only part of safety.  This idea should be studied further.  The State Building Code Council can use its normal process, so it should not be in statute.

Testified:  Senator Adam Kline, prime sponsor; Robert Dilger, Washington State Building Trades; Herb Harrold, Construction Advisory Commission; Dan Sexton, Washington State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters; Michael Wood, Department of Labor and Industries (pro);  Brian Minnich, Building Industry Association of Washington; Gene Cohn, State Building Code Council (AGC) (con).