Steve Cant was appointed Assistant Director for the Division of Safety & Health Services with the Department of Labor and Industries in March 2006, which includes responsibility for the state’s occupational safety and health program.  This program includes workplace safety and health outreach and training, standards development, consultation and technical assistance and enforcement.  The Division also operates a full-service industrial hygiene laboratory and helps coordinate the annualGovernor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference.

Prior to being appointed to this position, Steve was the Senior Program Manager for Federal-State Operations and was responsible for maintaining an effective state plan program, a $6.8 million grant from Federal OSHA, coordinated citation appeal litigation activities and strategies, workplace discrimination investigation program and coordinated the Division budget, legislative activities, strategic plan and GMAP.

Steve has also held the positions of DOSH Coordinator, Industrial Hygiene Program Manager, Industrial Hygiene Chief, Industrial Hygiene Compliance Supervisor and Consultant. He has been with L&I in various roles and leadership positions for thirty years. Prior to coming to L&I, Steve worked as an industrial hygienist conducting plant surveys and providing management recommendations nationwide for the Weyerhauser Corporation.  He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and holds degrees from the University of Washington including a Masters Degree in Industrial Hygiene. 

Steve has spent six years as a member of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene as well as six years in the Washington Army National Guard. He has two sons, Nathan and Christopher. Steve enjoys movies, gardening, creative writing, cooking and sports.