Washington state eyeing potential revisions to concrete and masonry standards | 2019-05-02 | Safety+Health Magazine

Tumwater, WA — In response to a labor union petition, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is working on new standards for reinforcing steel and post-tensioning in construction.

Washington L&I intends to update Part O of Chapter 296-155 in the WAC Standards for Construction Work, “Concrete, Concrete Forms, Shoring and Masonry Construction.” In a preproposal statement of inquiry filed March 5, the department states that it will likely use parts of the revised American National Standards Institute’s A10.9, “Safety Requirements for Concrete and Masonry Work in 2018,” to help in its rulemaking.

“Identifying and amending relevant parts of Chapter 296-155 WAC Part O will reduce employee exposures to falls, struck by things and impalement hazards associated with collapse of framework,” the preproposal states.

The action comes after the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers submitted a petition Nov. 20.

Washington L&I is expected to schedule public hearings on the rulemaking, according to an April 10 press release from Iron Workers.