SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6670

BYSenate Committee on Economic Development & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Lee, Owen, Warnke and Smith)

Revising provisions on public works projects involving certain trench excavations.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6670 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Conner, McMullen, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, West.

Senate Staff:Charles A. Woods (786-7911)

                  March 7, 1988

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Public works projects which involve trench excavations of greater than four feet are required by WISHA and OSHA standards to provide for shoring, sloping or otherwise providing lateral support to avoid cave-ins.  However, the contracts for such projects do not have to include detailed provisions to meet the WISHA requirements nor are such safety systems included in the cost estimates as separate items.

SUMMARY:

On any public works project which includes a trench excavation exceeding five feet in depth, contracts are required to include detailed provisions for adequate safety systems for the excavation, meeting the standards of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.  Such safety systems must be listed as a separate item on cost estimates.

A technical amendment is made to avoid conflict with WISHA regulations concerning the depth at which trench excavations must include safety systems.

Changes are made to eliminate the possibility that the Bureau of Public Works will be in the position of guaranteeing the adequacy of the safety systems employed on any trench excavation.

Language is added to clarify that bidders on trench excavation contracts must include the cost of safety systems in the bid documents.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 3, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Dick Ducharme, Utility Contractors Association of Washington (for); Duke Schaub, AGC (for); Robert Dilger, WSBLTC (for)

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

Any attempt to include safety system costs as incidental to other contract items is prohibited.  That trench safety systems must be separately provided for in bidding is emphasized.