By Name
WISHA provides rule guidance to staff through two types of policies:
- WISHA Interim Operations and Interpretive Memoranda (WIIM)
- WISHA Regional Directives (WRD)
The WIIMs and WRDs do not:
- Substitute for the rule or requirement referenced.
- Create additional obligations for employers.
The following is a list of all WISHA policies in effect as of 4/10/2013
| Policy Name | Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
 Delaying Enforcement of WAC 296-62-500 Hazardous Drugs |
WRD 13.20 | This DOSH Directive establishes a delay in enforcing WAC 296-62-500, the Hazardous Drugs rule. | 4/10/2013 |
| Rolling Outriggers on Mobile Cranes |
WRD 7.00 | Provides clearer guidance regarding the use of rolling outriggers on mobile cranes | 3/25/2013 |
| Enforcement Policy for Construction Crane Certification and Crane Operator Qualifications and Certification Under WAC 296-155-529 through 53300. |
WRD 8.60 | This policy provides direction to all DOSH staff regarding compliance with construction crane certification and construction crane operator qualifications and certification requirements under WAC 296-155-532 through 53300. | 3/25/2013 |
| Tag Line Use |
WRD 29.72 | Guidleines for determining when to cite an employer for not using a tagline on suspended loads | 3/25/2013 |
| Enforcement guidance for the Longshoring Industry |
WRD 22.95 | This DOSH Directive establishes enforcement guidance to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards related to the Longshoring Industry. | 1/31/2013 |
| Enforcement of Load Limit Signage on Ferry Terminals |
WRD 22.90 | This directive establishes inspection policies and procedures related to the enforcement of the requirement for load limit signage on ferry structures that are part of the National Bridge Inventory. | 1/4/2013 |
| Volunteers, Students, and DOSH Jurisdiction |
WRD 1.96 | This Directive provides guidance for compliance and consultation staff in determining DOSH jurisdiction for volunteers and students. | 10/18/2012 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities NEP |
WRD 13.40 | This DOSH Directive implements OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for programmed inspections of nursing and residential care facilities in the state of Washington. | 10/5/2012 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Handling WISHA Complaints by L&I Employees |
WRD 1.90 | This directive provides guidance on responding to safety and health complaints filed about L&I’s own operations. | 9/25/2012 |
| Auditing Accredited Crane Certifiers |
WRD 8.80 | This Directive establishes auditing procedures and enforcement policies related to auditing of Accredited Crane Certifiers within the state of Washington. | 8/15/2012 |
| Cone Setting Requirements |
WRD 6.55 | This Directive provides guidance to DOSH consultation and compliance staff for when they encounter cone-setting operations on a publicly traveled roadway, highway, or construction project, and how to properly cite the employer if they encounter non-compliance. | 7/20/2012 |
| Rigger Testing Documentation |
WRD 7.10 | This Directive extends the deadline for requiring documentation of written and practical examination for riggers as outlined in Chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety Standards for Construction | 7/6/2012 |
| Homeowners as General Contractors |
WRD 1.19 | This Directive establishes enforcement policies related to DOSH jurisdiction over homeowners who are “acting as the general contractor” in building their own homes. | 7/3/2012 |
| Primary Metal Industries NEP |
WRD 24.30 | This Directive implements the National Emphasis Program for the Primary Metal Industry for the state of Washington. | 6/25/2012 |
| Severe Violator Enforcement Program |
WRD 2.68 | This directive establishes enforcement policy for DOSH’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). | 6/25/2012 |
| Chemical Facility Process Safety Management NEP |
WRD 24.40 | This DOSH Directive implements OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Chemical Facility Process Safety Management in the State of Washington. The purpose of the NEP is to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards associated with the catastrophic release of highly hazardous chemicals. | 5/29/2012 |
| Use of Powered Industrial Truck Load Engaging Means to Reduce Awkward Lifting |
WRD 7.06 | Provides guidance in applying the requirements of Chapter 296-863 WAC, when the operator of the truck has dismounted to transfer loads by hand with the load-engaging means raised. | 5/8/2012 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Powered Industrial Trucks Used to Load and Unload |
WRD 7.07 | Provides guidance in applying the requirements of Chapter 296-863 WAC, when loading or unloading highway trucks with Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs). | 5/8/2012 |
| Commercial Diving Operations |
WRD 22.85 | This directive applies to all DOSH enforcement and consultation activities involving commercial diving activities, subject to the scope of Chapter 296-37 WAC, Commercial Diving Operations. | 1/10/2012 |
| Programmed Inspection and Visit Activities |
WRD 2.10 | This directive establishes DOSH policy and enforcement direction regarding programmed inspections and consultations. | 1/5/2012 |
| Local Emphasis Programs |
WRD 2.20 | This directive provides guidance to DOSH enforcement and consultation staff on the procedures for proposing Local Emphasis Programs (LEPs) | 1/5/2012 |
| Confined Spaces in Shipyards |
WRD 12.45 | This Directive applies to all DOSH enforcement and consultation activities involving confined or enclosed spaces in shipyard employment. | 11/28/2011 |
| Fatality Memo Process |
WRD 1.20 | This directive provides guidance to Compliance Supervisors and Managers to ensure that all fatality memos are appropriately completed, edited, reviewed and approved prior to dissemination. | 8/25/2011 |
| Personal Protective Equipment |
WRD 5.15 | This directive establishes DOSH policy and enforcement direction regarding the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). | 7/20/2011 |
| Emergency Washing Facilities |
WRD 13.00 | This directive establishes DOSH enforcement policy related to the emergency washing requirements contained in WAC 296-800-150, First Aid. | 7/15/2011 |
| Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) and Low-Profile Tractors |
WRD 33.20 | This directive establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policies related to Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) and the exemptions from ROPS on low profile tractors in the agriculture industry. | 6/20/2011 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Employee Entry into Worksites Suffering Structural Damage |
WRD 5.45 | This directive establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policies related to employee entry into worksites suffering structural damage. | 6/15/2011 |
| Law Enforcement |
WRD 32.00 | Establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policies related to patrol operations, tactical response, and emergency response when law enforcement officers are involved. | 6/1/2011 |
| Chromium VI |
WRD 12.80 | Provides guidelines and establishes uniform inspection and compliance procedures for Chapter 296-62 WAC, Part I-2, the occupational exposure rule for hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium (VI). | 5/18/2011 |
| Field Sanitation for Agriculture Workers |
WRD 33.80 | This directive provides DOSH enforcement guidance on WAC 296-307-095, Field Sanitation. It clarifies application and use of waterless hand washing products. | 4/5/2011 |
| Scaffold and the Fall Protection Work Plan |
WRD 30.20 | This directive establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policies regarding the appropriate application of the fall protection work plan requirements, in relation to scaffolds. | 4/5/2011 |
| Diving Search & Rescue |
WRD 32.15 | This directive establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policies related to diving operations involving “search and rescue” (SAR) activities conducted or coordinated by local governments. | 1/28/2011 |
| Indoor Air Quality |
WRD 10.10 | This directive establishes inspection procedures and compliance policies related to workplace Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) hazards. | 1/14/2011 |
| Cholinesterase Monitoring |
WRD 33.27 | Establishes procedures for responding to action level cholinesterase depressions under Chapter 296-307-148 WAC, Cholinesterase Monitoring. | 1/12/2011 |
| Body Armor as Personal Protective Equipment |
WRD 5.09 | This directive provides guidance to DOSH staff when involved in enforcement activities related to body armor used as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). | 12/22/2010 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Hand Protection When Using Knives in Food Preparation |
WRD 5.96 | Establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policy related to hand protection when using knives during food processing. | 12/3/2010 |
| Explosives Magazine Licensing Inspection |
WRD 19.20 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff on scheduling and conducting of explosive magazine inspections | 11/15/2010 |
| New Hire Training Program for DOSH Safety and Health Staff |
WRD 40.0 | Provides guidance and direction to all DOSH staff about initial new hire training of Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) and Safety & Health Consultants. In addition, this directive provides guidance and direction on continuing education and technical training for all safety and health staff. | 11/15/2010 |
| Explosives Inspection Activities and Procedure |
WRD 19.25 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff on scheduling and conducting explosives inspections, and establishes guidelines for seizing explosives. | 11/5/2010 |
| Violence in the Workplace |
WRD 5.05 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff on the appropriate application of WISHA standards in workplaces where there is an increased risk of violent incidents. | 11/5/2010 |
| Crane Safety Inter-program Coordination |
WRD 8.70 | Establishes inter-program coordination related to the crane safety program and the protocol regarding how staff within DOSH interact when staff encounter issues related to cranes or rigging. | 10/20/2010 |
| Electrical and Telecommunication Hazards |
WRD 18.55 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff regarding the application of Chapters 296-45 and 296-32 WAC. | 10/15/2010 |
| Injury and Illness Recordkeeping NEP |
WRD 2.66 | Establishes DOSH enforcement procedures to support CPL 02-09-08, and applies to DOSH operations statewide. | 8/30/2010 |
| Bathroom and Toilet Facility Access |
WRD 5.98 | Provides DOSH enforcement guidance, and clarifies that employers are required to make toilet facilities available, so that employees can use them when they need to. | 8/25/2010 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Hexavalent Chromium NEP |
WRD 12.90 | Requires staff to follow OSHA Directive 02-02-076 when conducting inspections while also applying the instructions described in this directive. While DOSH Directive 12.80 must be followed, the instructions in this Directive will take precedence specifically for those inspections that are conducted as part of this NEP. | 8/23/2010 |
| Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases |
WRD 12.75 | Provides clarification to ensure uniform inspection procedures for emergency response operations or substantial threats of releases of hazardous substances. | 2/1/2010 |
| Lifting & Offloading Intermodal Containers at Construction Sites |
WRD 22.25 | Provides guidance on safe lifting and offloading practices for intermodal containers at construction sites. | 9/29/2009 |
| Unpreventable Employee Misconduct |
WRD 5.10 | Provides instruction to DOSH staff on the procedures to follow when the issue of unpreventable employee misconduct is brought up by the employer during the course of any DOSH enforcement or consultation activity. | 9/29/2009 |
| Outdoor Heat Exposure Enforcement Procedures |
WRD 10.15 | Establishes statewide enforcement policies for WAC 296-62-095 through 296-62-09560, and WAC 296-307-097 through 296-307-09760 pertaining to Outdoor Heat Exposure. | 5/26/2009 |
| Use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) |
WRD 21.25 | Guidance related to enforcement of PFD's in waterfront/maritime industries | 4/16/2009 |
| Enforcement and Consultation Guidance for Combustible Dust Hazards |
WRD 12.85 | Establishes statewide DOSH enforcement and consultation policy for workplaces that generate or handle combustible dusts having the potential to cause dust deflagrations, other fires, or explosions. | 12/30/2008 |
| Pre-operational Testing Requirements for Tower Cranes |
WRD 8.50 | Establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policies related to testing of tower cranes required under WAC 296-155-525(5)(f). | 11/5/2008 |
| Inspection of Slide-Locks used on Mechanical and Hydraulic Power Presses |
WRD 6.10 | Establishes inspection procedures and enforcement policies related to slide-locks being used to control hazardous energy on mechanical and hydraulic machinery. | 3/1/2008 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management |
WRD 2.64 | Requires staff to follow the directions in CPL 03-00-004 when conducting inspections of or providing consultation services to petroleum refineries. | 2/8/2008 |
| Focused Inspections in Construction |
WRD 2.25 | Provides guidance to DOSH Compliance staff related to focused inspections in the construction industry. | 7/27/2007 |
| Tuberculosis Control in Health Care Settings |
WRD 11.35 | Guidance to DOSH staff regarding application of CDC guidelines in cases involving potential TB exposure | 3/19/2007 |
| Tuberculosis Control in Correctional Facilities |
WRD 11.36 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff regarding application of CDC Recommendations in cases involving TB exposure in correctional facilities. | 3/19/2007 |
| Employers Exposed to Hazards |
WRD 1.18 | When to cite for employer exposure to a hazard that could result in employee exposure | 1/8/2007 |
| Electrical Work and Confined Space Under WAC 296-45 & 62 |
WRD 18.40 | Guidance to DOSH staff in the appropriate application of which standard applies for electrical work in confined spaces. | 9/18/2006 |
| Log Sorting Yards & Marine Terminals or Sawmills |
WRD 20.55 | Evaluation of dry land log yards, regardless of location | 9/18/2006 |
| Tree & Shrub Trimming, Pruning, Removal, etc. |
WRD 20.75 | Evaluating possible violations to tree and shrub trimming, pruning, bracing, removal, and surgery when no industry-specific standard applies, | 9/18/2006 |
| High Voltage Night Patrol Requirements |
WRD 18.45 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff regarding the application of WAC 296-45-385(15) -and whether it applies to supervisory/management employees . | 9/18/2006 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Charter Vessel Inspections |
WRD 21.90 | Defines who is responsible for charter vessel certifications and conducting related inspections. | 9/18/2006 |
| Enforcement Activity Related to Piers and Docks |
WRD 21.95 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff on enforcement of the rule requiring load limits for piers/docks | 9/18/2006 |
| Storing and Handling Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Spray Finishing |
WRD 7.30 | Provides guidance to DOSH staff conducting inspections involving storing and handling flammable liquids and spray-finishing operations | 8/11/2006 |
| Acceptable Methods of Determining "Flashpoint" of Combustible Liquids |
WRD 7.25 | Combustible Liquids, testing methods, WAC 296-24-33001(15) | 8/11/2006 |
| Citing Point of Operation in Machine Safety |
WRD 8.40 | Clarification for point-of-operation citations issued to address violations not covered under specific rules. | 8/11/2006 |
| Meat Tenderizing Technology in the Meat Packing Industry |
WRD 8.35 | This WRD provides guidelines for inspection of possible electrically hazardous conditions associated with a meat tenderizing technology being introduced into the meat packing industry. | 8/11/2006 |
| Powered Industrial Truck Training in Longshoring & Marine Terminals |
WRD 7.05 | Forklifts and other Powered Industrial Trucks, operator training in the Longshoring and Marine Terminal Industries. | 8/7/2006 |
| Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care |
WRD 5.07 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff in applying existing standards to issues of workplace violence in Health care. | 7/14/2006 |
| Head Protection and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) |
WRD 5.92 | What head protection requirements apply when employees operate motorcycles or ATVs as part of their job duties? | 7/14/2006 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Voluntary Rescue Activities by Employees |
WRD 1.45 | Determining whether an employee's efforts to rescue another person constitute a "recognized" hazard, | 7/7/2006 |
| Dual Employers & DOSH Enforcement |
WRD 1.15 | Shared liability for a violation when employee exposure present and 2 or more employers are involved | 7/7/2006 |
| WISHA Jurisdiction Over DOC & Jail Inmates |
WRD 1.40 | Provides guidance on when an inmate can be considered an "employee" and protocols for evaluating S&H complaints | 7/7/2006 |
| Fall Protection Work Plan When Standard Guardrails Are Used |
WRD 30.21 | Policy regarding applicability of fall protection work plan requirement when the trigger height of 10 feet is reached for walking/working surfaces that require standard guardrails or the equivalent for fall protection. | 10/31/2005 |
| Grounding Requirements for Temporary Substation Fences |
WRD 18.35 | Provides enforcement guidance to WISHA and defines what the requirements are for grounding temporary substation fencing? | 8/19/2005 |
| Fall Protection During Excavation and Trenching Operations |
WRD 30.25 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff regarding the appropriate application of the fall protection requirements in relation to excavation and trenching. | 6/29/2005 |
| Warning Lines Used for Fall Protection in Construction |
WRD 29.50 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff regarding the use of a warning line system for fall protection in construction, i.e. what laines are acceptable. | 5/24/2005 |
| Boatbuilding of Vessels 65 Feet or Less |
WRD 21.55 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff whenever they encounter boatbuilding activities and application of Chapter 296-304. | 5/17/2005 |
| Qualifications of Maritime Inspectors |
WRD 22.80 | Identifies which staff are qualified for different waterfront activities | 5/9/2005 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Firefighter Station Work Uniforms and Other Clothing |
WRD 32.35 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff regarding the appropriate application of the requirements related to uniforms and garments in the fire service industry | 4/27/2005 |
| Fixed Ladders Used in Emergencies |
WRD 29.65 | Defines what safety controls are necessary for fixed ladders which are intended for emergency use only. | 4/21/2005 |
| Underground Diesel-Powered Equipment |
WRD 27.95 | Defines what the requirements are for prior approval of the operation of mobile diesel- powered equipment underground? | 4/11/2005 |
| Rental Cranes and Maritime Crane Certification |
WRD 22.20 | Defines what cranes will be certified for maritime use and whether rental cranes are allowed to be certified. | 2/24/2005 |
| Traffic Control and Flagging Operations |
WRD 27.20 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff when evaluating work zones where traffic control or flaggers are used. | 12/30/2004 |
| Process Safety Management |
WRD 24.10 | Guidance to WISHA staff conducting process safety management inspections. | 9/2/2002 |
| Partial Body Entry Situations and the Confined Spaces Standard |
WRD 12.40 | Guidance to WISHA enforcement and consultation staff in applying the confined space standard to partial body entries | 9/2/2002 |
| Elevator Pits and the Confined Spaces Standard |
WRD 12.55 | Is an elevator pit a "confined space" under the standard? | 9/2/2002 |
| Sheepherder Housing |
WRD 33.72 | Provides guidance to WISHA whenever they must assess temporary worker housing provided to sheepherders as a condition of employment. | 11/26/2001 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Contractor Responsibility for Safety and Health Under Stute v. PBMC |
WRD 27.00 | Guidelines for WISHA enforcement and consultation staff when assessing a prime or general contractor’s compliance with WISHA as it applies to a subcontractor or its employees | 8/1/2001 |
| Targeting WISHA Activities (Maritime Industries) |
WRD 2.18 | Guidance to WISHA enforcement and consultation staff conducting programmed activities within the maritime industry | 5/2/2001 |
| Targeting WISHA Activities (Electrical Utilities and Communication) |
WRD 2.19 | Guidance to WISHA enforcement and consultation staff conducting programmed activities within Eletrical Utilities and telecommunication Industries | 5/2/2001 |
| PSM Inspection Targeting & Tracking |
WRD 2.62 | Guidance to WISHA enforcement staff related to the targeting, scheduling, and tracking of PSM inspections. | 1/31/2001 |
| Demolition of Buildings with Asbestos Containing Materials |
WRD 23.35 | Guidance to WISHA enforcement and consultation staff whenever they must address demolition activities and the need to identify and remove asbestos-containing materials. | 1/31/2001 |
| Pesticides in Agriculture |
WRD 33.25 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff regarding the enforcement of the worker protection standard in agriculture , particularly as it relates to allegations of actual pesticide exposure. | 12/28/2000 |
| Asbestos Project Notification |
WRD 23.25 | How specific must notification information be to comply with WAC 296-65-020(1)? | 12/28/2000 |
| Asbestos-Containing Joint Compound in Wallboard Systems |
WRD 23.30 | Guidance to WISHA whenever they address issues concerning employee exposure to hazards involving asbestos-containing joint compound in wallboard systems. | 12/28/2000 |
| Laboratory Hood Ventilation Specifications in Part F (Carcinogens) |
WRD 11.05 | Guidance to WISHA consultation and compliance staff in the proper application of WAC 296-62-073 / "laboratory-type hood" . | 9/25/1997 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| NIOSH Pocket Guide IDLH Values (1994) |
WRD 10.60 | Use of "NIOSH Pocket guide to Chemical Hazards" for WISHA enforcement activities | 9/25/1997 |
| Fall Protection and Grain Inspectors |
WRD 29.59 | Guidelines for determing if the WSDA should be cited for failure to provide fall protection in marine terminals? | 9/25/1997 |
| Joint Employers in Agriculture |
WRD 33.75 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff regarding "joint employers" in agriculture. | 9/25/1997 |
| Firefighter Training Under Chapter 296-305 WAC |
WRD 32.30 | Provides guidance to WISHA staff regarding the appropriate enforcement of firefighter training requirements | 9/25/1997 |
| Occupational Exposure to Asbestos |
WRD 23.10 | applies to WISHA inspections and consultations related to occupational exposure to asbestos and to the Asbestos Certfication Program | 4/30/1997 |
| Compliance Policy for Hantavirus Related Cases |
WRD 11.55 | Applies whenever WISHA compliance staff are involved in an inspection related to potential hantavirus exposure | 12/30/1996 |
| Audiometric Testing of Intermittent Noise Exposure |
WRD 12.15 | Guidance to WISHA staff in applying the requirements of the Hearing Conservation Standard to intermittent noise exposure | 12/30/1996 |
| Inspection Guidelines for Post-Emergency Oil Spill Response Operations under WAC 296-62-300 |
WRD 32.99 | Post-emergency response operations, petroleum crude oil releases on waterways and affected shorelines in Washington State. | 12/30/1996 |
| Asbestos Course Provider Audit Policy |
WRD 23.50 | Guidelines for auditing providers of Asbestos certification training courses | 12/30/1996 |
| Policy Name |
Policy Number | Description | Date Issued |
| Guarding of Vehicle Service Pits |
WRD 29.55 | Applies whenever WISHA staff encounter vehicle service pits that may require guarding. | 8/9/1996 |
| Washington Administrative Code 296-155-176, Lead Exposure in Construction—Inspection and Compliance Guidelines | WRD 95-1 | Provides uniform inspection and compliance guidance for Lead Exposure in Construction, | 2/1/1995 |
| Grain Handling Facilities—Inspection Guidance and Standards Clarification | WRD 89-3B | guidelines for inspections conducted in grain handling facilities and clarification of Chapter 296-99 WAC | 9/1/1994 |
| Inspection Procedures for Enforcing the Excavation Standards | WRD 91-2B | Provides guidelines to ensure uniform enforcement of the excavation standards | 12/8/1992 |
| Occupational Exposure to Lead, Inspection and Compliance Procedures | WRD 84-12B | inspection , compliance and implementation guidelines related to the lead standard. | 8/15/1990 |
