New DOSH Directive: DD 22.95, Enforcement guidance for the Longshoring Industry (2 MB PDF)

This DOSH Directive establishes enforcement guidance to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards related to the Longshoring Industry.  (February 4, 2013)

Required workplace posters from L&I sent to employers

Employers need to post the new posters dated 12-2012 where employees can read them, and they need to remove the previous editions. Additional free copies can be ordered at www.Posters.Lni.wa.gov. Information about other government posters and answers to questions employers may have about required posters are also provided on this Web page. (January 28, 2013)

Noise and Hearing Protection Topic Page Updated

Find information easier in our new topic page format. (January 28, 2013)

FREE seminar 2/15/13 to help improve your safety & health program in the workplace (192 KB PDF).

Attend this one-day Continuous Improvement Seminar sponsored by L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).  Learn how managers and employees at VPP sites have used Continuous Improvement Programs to improve safety and health conditions at their worksites.(January 28, 2013)

New DOSH Directive: DD 22.90, Enforcement of Load Limit Signage on Ferry Terminals (353 KB PDF)

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.  (January 14, 2013)

2013 Workplace Safety and Health Calendar – Keeping Washington Safe and Working through the Years

This historical-themed calendar celebrates 40 years of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health (WISHA) Act and features real Washington businesses and employees handling typical workplace hazards, with an emphasis on safety and health improvements over the past decades. (January 7, 2013)

Updated construction cranes, rigging and personnel lifting rules adopted.

Rule changes were adopted on 12/31/2012 and will be effective on 2/1/2013. Read about what changed on the Rules Under Development page. (January 7, 2013)

Emergency Washing Workshop

This free workshop is designed for employers who have potential employee exposure to corrosives, strong irritants, or toxic chemicals. (January 7, 2013)

Seasonal Safety — Winter Hazards

Read about typical winter workplace dangers. (January 1, 2013)

Independent survey will assess L&I's safety and health inspections.

Employers and workers who recently experienced a workplace inspection by L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) may get a call asking about their experience. The survey questions are focused on the inspection process and interactions with L&I inspectors and are not about the employer or the business. Survey participants are picked randomly by the research firm. Read more on the link above. (November 19, 2012)

Grain Handling Facilities

Grain handling facilities in rural or industrial settings are high hazard operations where workers can be exposed to serious and even deadly hazards. Find resources to reduce these hazards and keep workers safe on our updated topic page. (November 19, 2012)

Skid Steer Loader Operator Impaled by Rebar New FACE Fatality Narrative (195 KB PDF).

Read the story about a worker who was impaled by rebar and learn how this incident was preventable. (October 29, 2012)

New and Updated policies available

"Nursing and Residential Care Facilities NEP" (13.40) and "Handling WISHA Complaints by L&I Employees" (1.90) (October 10, 2012)

Explosives Topic Page Updated

Learn about workplace safety & health hazards as well as licensing requirements on our updated topic page. (October 8, 2012)

Special emphasis inspections coming to nursing and residential care facilities.

Find resources and information to make your workplaces safer on our new topic page. (October 8, 2012)

Ergonomics Consultation Brochure

This new pamphlet provides information to employers interested in a free ergonomics consultation for their business. Explains the importance of workplace ergonomics and how L&I can help to assess injury-causing tasks, and help develop an ergonomics program. (October 1, 2012)

Standard Hand Signals for Cranes

This new poster displays proper hand signals for directing crawler, locomotive and truck crane operators. (October 1, 2012)

Tractor Safety in Orchards and Other Agricultural Settings

Learn about hazards with tractors and how to prevent them. (October 1, 2012)

Overview of SHIP Grant Program Workshop for Applicants

This free workshop will provide an overview of the Safety and Health Investment Projects (SHIP) program as well as application and review processes. (October 1, 2012)

Tunneling and Hyperbaric Safety Work Group

L&I will be forming a Tunneling and Hyperbaric Safety Work Group — a forum for labor, business and for L&I to collaboratively work together to update standards for tunneling and hyperbaric work. Learn how to get involved by reading our new topic page. (September 14, 2012)

Five New Fatality Bulletins

Learn about tragic events where workers were killed on the job. Find information and resources on how to prevent similar incidents in your workplace. (September 5, 2012)

New Hazard Alerts from SHARP

The hazard alerts include "Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers" and "Hazards to Orchard Tractor and Machinery Operators" (in English and Spanish). (August 27, 2012)

Shipyards Rule Updates effective 8/1/2012.

The rule updated existing requirements to reflect advances in industry practices and technology and provided new protections from hazards that were not previously addressed, including the control of hazardous energy. (July 30, 2012)

Seasonal hazards: Summer safety

Read about typical summer workplace dangers. (July 30, 2011)

Beat the Heat: Stay Safe When Working Outdoors

If you work outdoors take steps to prevent heat-related illness, a condition that can cause serious illness or even death. L&I recommends these 5 tips: Start work well hydrated and drink as much as a cup of water every 15 minutes; Watch co-workers for signs of heat-related illness, such as headaches, dizziness or nausea; Pace your work and take scheduled breaks; Wear lightweight clothing, and remove protective gear when it's safe to do so; Avoid drinking caffeine or eating a heavy meal. Read our Outdoor Heat Exposure topic page for more information. (August 16, 2012)

New DOSH Directive: DD 8.80, Auditing Accredited Crane Certifiers (146 KB PDF)

This Directive establishes auditing procedures and enforcement policies related to auditing of Accredited Crane Certifiers within the state of Washington. (August 15, 2012)

Fatal Collapse of Bulk Materials Storage Wall — New DOSH Hazard eBulletin (278 KB PDF)

A New DOSH Hazard eBulletin warns about collapse of bulk materials storage structures made of interlocking concrete blocks (July 30, 2012)

Tractor Safety: Rollover Protection and Seatbelts

In Washington, tractor rollovers are the leading cause of agriculture-related deaths. This pamphlet summarizes the safety rules for rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts on tractors and lists exemptions and provides other information about safe operation of tractors. This pamphlet is also available in Spanish. (July 16, 2012)

New SHARP Hazard Alert: Hazards to Orchard Tractor and Machinery Operators (128 KB PDF).

Learn about three recent fatalities involving orchard tractors and find information to prevent them from happening in your workplace. (July 16, 2012)

Prometheus Energy Receives START Award of Excellence for Occupational Safety & Health

Read about Prometheus Energy's commitment to safety & health in the workplace at every level of the company, and learn more about L&I's START Program. (July 23, 2012)

Deadly Power-Line Contact with Cranes — New Hazard Alert (274 KB PDF)

Learn about recent electrocutions caused by contact with power lines and ways to avoid this deadly hazard. (July 20, 2012)

New & updated policies now available

One new policy is now available: DOSH Directive 7.10 - Rigger Testing Documentation. Three policies were revised: DOSH Directive 24.30 - Primary Metals NEP, DOSH Directive 2.68 - Severe Violator Enforcement Program, and DOSH Directive 1.19 - Homeowners as General Contractors. (July 16, 2012)

"Workplace Violence: Awareness and Prevention for Employers and Employees" revised publication now available

Learn about four types of workplace violence, steps to minimize and prevent violent acts, and potential risk factors and prevention techniques. (July 16, 2012)

Revised Veterinary Hazards topic page offers more health and safety resources

A variety of free training materials, videos, and other helpful resources have been added to L&I's Veterinary Hazards page. The resources on this webpage can boost your efforts to prevent or reduce workplace hazards and injuries. (June 21, 2012)

Abrasive Blasting and Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) — Updated topic pages

Several additional resources were added to our Abrasive Blasting and Bloodborne Pathogens topic pages. (June 21, 2012)

New hazard ebulletin: Carbon Monoxide Poisonings at Indoor Work Places (92 KB PDF)

L&I is seeing an increase in Carbon Monoxide poisoning and has issued a new Hazard eBulletin. Find the eBulletin and read about these poisonings, how to prevent them, and other resources in our updated topic page. (June 18, 2012)

New videos available to borrow

Videos include Understanding and Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses, Knock it off!, Electrical Safety in the Workplace and several more. (June 18, 2012)

Social media: the TIRES experience

L&I's Safety & Heath Assessment & Research for Prevention (SHARP) program has researched benefits and drawbacks to using social media for workplace safety & Health communications. Find out what they discovered by reading this report. (June 11, 2012)

Chemical Facility Process Safety Management — Enforcement & outreach emphasis underway

OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Chemical Facility Process Safety Management in the State of Washington aims to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards associated with the catastrophic release of highly hazardous chemicals. L&I has written a new policy to support this NEP. Find the new policy and helpful resources on our updated topic page. (June 4, 2012)

New hazard alert: Deadly sawmill dust explosions (382 KB PDF)

Learn about combustible dust hazards and how to prevent them in our new Hazard Alert (May 14, 2012)

Hazardous Drugs (WAC 296-62-500) rule topic page

Learn about the landmark regulations for protecting health care workers while working with hazardous drugs. Sign up for the Hazardous Drugs Rule email ListServ to get more updates. (May 21, 2012)

New Report from SHARP: Washington has 51 workplace deaths in 2011 — a historic low (777 KB PDF / 2 min)

After years of steady decline, deaths in Washington State due to fatal workplace injuries fell to 51 in 2011, the lowest number of work-related deaths in the state's history. The Washington FACE 2011 Work-Related Fatalities Report is based on preliminary data and includes only deaths from acute traumatic injuries. (March 14, 2012)

New and updated free safety posters now available to download and print

L&I has updated and added three posters: "High Noise Area, Wear Hearing Protection (FSP1-065-000)," "Know Your Lockout Tagout Safety Procedures (FSP1-063-000)," and "Job Site Safety: Wear Your Hard Hat (FSP0-907-000)." Please be sure to recycle any older versions you have on hand and feel free to share these links. (March 12, 2012)

New research study from SHARP about Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)

The report discusses research into the causes of WMSDs and possible solutions for prevention. (March 12, 2012)

Using a ladder to clean up after winter storms? Be safe and avoid injuries

Over the last three months, L&I has seen an increase in hospitalizations and fatalities related to falls from ladders. Keep safe and working and learn more about ladder safety on our topic page. (March 1, 2012)

Construction cranes rule adopted

Learn about changes to rigging requirements in the Construction Cranes rule adopted February 1, 2012 and find answers to questions on the updated topic page. (February 1, 2012)

Save time & travel: Attend 8 L&I workshops in 2 days!

Learn how to make your workplace safer and how to manage your claims by attending multiple workshops back-to-back on February 14 – 15, 2012. No-charge workshops are offered at the Tukwila L&I office and plenty of free parking is available! (February 1, 2012)

Fatality/serious injury investigation stories

These short, narrated presentations depict real events where the investigating safety and health inspectors describe briefly what happened, how the workers were killed or injured, and how the incidents could have been prevented. (January 1, 2012)

Seasonal safety: Winter hazards

Learn more about typical winter hazards including working outdoors, storms and flooding, carbon monoxide, and driving and pedestrian safety. (January 1, 2012)

Primary metals industry resources now available

Foundries, Steel Mills and others in the Primary Metals industry can find training, videos & other health & safety materials on our new web page. L&I prepared these materials to respond to OSHA's National Emphasis Program (NEP) relating to Primary Metals. (January 1, 2012)