About OSHA and WISHA
 

What is OSHA and its relationship to WISHA?

The U.S. Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1971 to develop and enforce workplace safety and health rules throughout the country. States may choose to run their own safety and health programs as long as they are at least as effective as OSHA. Washington state has chosen to run its own program and most employers in the state, therefore, are subject to enforcement by L&I and not by federal OSHA.

In Washington state, OSHA covers:

Does WISHA apply to you?

WISHA applies to almost every employer and employee in Washington. WISHA applies to you if:

For more information, read the introduction to the Safety & Health Core Rules

If you have any questions about your particular situation, call 1-800-4BE SAFE (1-800-423-7233) or contact your local L&I office for help.