HB 2022 was signed into law on March 28, 2024.

Thank you friends, partners, allies and legislators for supporting common sense crane safety efforts - and a special to crane safety bill champions Sen. Noel Frame and Rep. Julia Reed. Stay updated on Washington state crane safety rulemaking efforts

Tower Crane Safety
for our Communities

Peppered throughout Washington state’s vibrant and densely populated communities, tower cranes stand tall as symbols of progress, growth and development. These massive structures – as tall as 256 feet – play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s city skylines. But with their presence comes a responsibility to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, commuters, workers and businesses.

Advocating for Crane Safety:
In Memory of Sarah Pantip Wong

BECAUSE OF THE PASSAGE OF HB 2022, WASHINGTON STATE NOW HAS SPECIFIC GUIDELINES ADDRESSING THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC IN THE VICINITY OF TOWER CRANES.

As these towering structures operate directly above residents, workers, businesses and packed urban streets, the need for clear and comprehensive safety measures continues to be increasingly apparent.

Without dedicated public safety regulations, the potential risks to the community remain largely unaddressed. Tower cranes operate at significant heights, often adjacent to busy streets, residences and workplaces. In the absence of proper guidelines, the safety of our communities is at stake.

Advocating for Crane Safety:

In Memory of Sarah Pantip Wong

More about Sarah

On April 27, 2019, tragedy struck the South Lake Union neighborhood when a tower crane being disassembled on Mercer Street near Fairview Avenue experienced a catastrophic collapse claiming the lives of four individuals. Among the victims was Seattle Pacific University freshman Sarah Pantip Wong, a bright student with an even brighter future ahead. Sarah was not just a statistic; she was a vibrant, loving and accomplished individual whose life was cut short far too soon.

This devastating incident, which resulted in the loss of two workers and two motorists, serves as stark reminder of the critical importance of crane safety. This didn’t have to happen. This should have been avoided with common sense safety protocols that ensure the wellbeing of both workers and the public.

HB 2022 and SB 5900 aim to prevent such tragic incidents from happening again. Progress should not come at the expense of safety. We hope enacting legislation that ensures the community’s safety during a tower crane’s assembly, disassembly, and reconfigurations will make it so no one endures the profound pain and sadness of losing a loved one to a senseless and otherwise avoidable incident.

Taking Action

We believe it’s time to take proactive steps to safeguard the wellbeing of commuters, residents, visitors and businesses in our cities. By enacting specific laws and guidelines for tower crane operations during assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration, we can create a safer environment for everyone who shares these spaces while allowing Washington’s cities to thrive and grow.

Read the signed Legislation
Legislation Timeline

Join Us

We invite you to join us as our efforts turn to supporting the enactment of these critical measures. By coming together as a community, we can ensure that progress and development facilitated by tower cranes do not compromise the safety of those who call our cities home, workplace and recreational space.

Thank Your Representative

Tower Crane Safety Reform in the News

Georgia Tech
Family’s gift to improve crane safety

In April 2019, 19-year-old Sarah Pantip Wong, a bright first-year student at Seattle Pacific University, lost her life when a tower crane toppled over and collapsed beyond the confines of a construction site, spilling into traffic and crushing the Uber vehicle she was in. Sarah, another passerby,Read More

Seattle Times
Pass tower crane safety bill to prevent another needless tragedy

On April 27, 2019, tragedy struck when a tower crane crashed into busy South Lake Union traffic, killing our daughter, Sarah Pantip Wong, and three others. This devastating incident was entirely preventable. Authorities highlighted critical steps that should have been taken to avoid such aRead More

House Democrats
HB 2022 passes House | State Rep. Julia Reed (36th LD)

Rep. Reed worked closely with seatmate Sen. Noel Frame, Sarah’s parents Andrea Wang and Henry Wong, the Department of Labor and Industries, labor unions, and other stakeholders, to craft the legislation. The legislation fine tunes the current permitting process, designates safety zones whenRead More

The Stand
Daily News Roundup

In response to the tragic incident in Seattle in 2019 when a tower crane fell, killing two Ironworkers and two members of the public, HB 2022/SB 5900 would address safety by establishing permits for tower crane operation including assembly and disassembly, establish a work zone for traffic closuresRead More

About Sarah

Sarah Pantip Wong was a skilled gymnast, versatile soccer player and swimmer. Sarah’s talents extended beyond the realm of sports. Her passion for musical theater led her to grace the stage in various productions, showcasing her diverse interests and talents.

Born in Thailand and raised in South Pasadena, California, Sarah shared her life with her parents, Andrea and Henry, her brother Aaron, and a broad foundation of extended family and friends. Her commitment to making a positive impact on the world was evident in her volunteer work, and she had plans to pursue a career in nursing at Seattle Pacific University. Remembered for her infectious smile and genuine kindness, Sarah lived by the mantra, “leave people better than you found them.”

As we reflect on Sarah’s life and legacy, we advocate passionately for increased crane safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future. We honor Sarah’s memory by raising awareness on the importance protecting the public safety, urging lawmakers to implement common sense safety protocols, and holding accountable those responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of workers and the public.

Together, let us work toward a safer environment, striving to prevent otherwise avoidable incidents like the one that claimed the life of Sarah Pantip Wong and three others. May her story inspire change, reinforce the importance of prioritizing safety in every crane operation and motivate us all to leave our communities better than we found them.

Stay updated on Washington state crane safety rulemaking efforts

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Legislation Timeline

Dec 22
Pre-filed for introduction.

Jan 12
Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards.

Jan 19
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards.

Jan 23
Referred to Appropriations.

Jan 31
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations.

Feb 2
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations.

Feb 9
House floor vote: passed; yeas, 77; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 1. Moved to the Senate for consideration.

Feb 13
First reading, referred to Senate Labor & Commerce.

Feb 15
Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce.

Feb 23
Senate unanimously passes HB 2022 with amendments 48 yeas, 0 nays, 1 excused

Mar. 5
House concurred Senate amendments.

Mar. 7
Delivered to Gov. Jay Inslee for signature.

Mar. 28
Governor Jay Inslee holds a bill-signing ceremony at the State Capitol.