The 210 foot tower crane collapse in Bellevue, WA in November 2006 that killed a Microsoft employee in his nearby condo spurred a new crane safety law.  The new construction crane safety law took effect on 01/01/10.  However, only about 10% of the 7,000 cranes in Washington state have been certified to the new safety standard according to the Washington Department of Labor & Industries. 

Will it take another wrongful death accident on a construction site to convince companies to get in compliance?  There is estimated to be over 100 tower cranes in Washington state, and only about 20 have been certified as required under the new crane safety law.  Let's hope no additional tragedies happen while construction companies drag their feet.