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L&I News Releases & Archives

 L&I news release archive


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Puyallup man charged with theft of $366,000 in workers' comp benefits

A Puyallup man has been charged with 57 counts of felony theft for allegedly collecting workers' compensation benefits illegally.
(Nov. 6, 2009) (Full story)


New England Journal of Medicine: Innovative state program improves medical care and saves millions of dollars

The newest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine brings national attention to a unique program in Washington state that protects citizens from unproven medical procedures and devices while saving $21 million per year.
(Nov. 6, 2009) (Full story)


Contractor pleads guilty to felony theft of sales tax, workers' comp fraud

The owner of Master’s Touch Drywall pled guilty today to felony theft of sales tax and workers' compensation fraud, and agreed to pay more than $2.1 million in restitution.
(Oct. 29, 2009) (Full story)


L&I encourages business, workers and organized labor to attend public hearings on proposed workers’ compensation rate increase

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) said today it hopes for good attendance at public hearings next week on proposed workers’ compensation insurance rates for 2010.
(Oct. 22, 2009) (Full story)


Twenty-nine people to receive lifesaving and humanitarian awards

Twenty-nine people will be given lifesaving and humanitarian awards at the 58th annual Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference in Tacoma Oct. 7-8. Their heroic acts aided individuals involved in vehicle accidents, who suffered heart attacks, near-drownings, choking incidents and other perils.
(Oct. 2, 2009) (Full story)


Lewis County man sentenced to 90 days for workers' compensation fraud

Joseph Woolf of Onalaska has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and 12 months of community supervision for illegally collecting workers’ compensation pension benefits while working on his family owned farm. (Oct. 1, 2009) (Full story)


No increase to Washington’s minimum wage in 2010

Washington’s minimum wage will not increase in 2010 but will remain the same at $8.55 an hour because the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months did not increase. (Sept. 29, 2009) (Full story)


L&I proposes 7.6 percent average increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) today announced lower workers’ compensation insurance premiums for 2010 than earlier forecasted. (Sept. 21, 2009) (Full story)


Labor & Industries moving Longview office to Kelso

The Longview office of the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is relocating to a state-owned office building at 711 Vine St. in Kelso. (Sept. 17, 2009) (Full story)


1950s-style student-made video wins first place from L&I

A 60-second video with a 1950s look and feel took first place in a new student safety and health video contest sponsored by the Department of Labor & Industries. (Aug. 31, 2009) (Full story)


Registration now open for worker safety and health conference

Registration is open for the 58th annual Governor's Industrial Safety and Health Conference October 7 and 8 at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. (Aug. 19, 2009) (Full story)


Competitors needed for Seattle forklift rodeo

Professional forklift drivers in the Seattle area are invited to compete Aug. 22 in a forklift rodeo at Boeing Field in Tukwila. The top seven drivers will win prizes ranging from $50 to $300. (July 31, 2009) (Full story)


2009 State Diversity Fair set for Aug 4.

The ninth annual 2009 State Diversity Fair, celebrating Washington’s diverse population, will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Tumwater. (July 22, 2009) (Full story)


Beware: Summertime can be extra hazardous on the job

If historical trends continue, July and August are the deadliest and most dangerous months for Washington workers. (July 15, 2009) (Full story)


Columbia Vista Corp. receives workplace-safety recognition

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is awarding a prestigious workplace-safety award to Columbia Vista Corp. in Vancouver. (July 7, 2009) (Full story)


Competitors needed for Spokane forklift rodeo

Professional forklift drivers in Eastern Washington are invited to compete July 25 in a forklift rodeo at the City of Spokane Maintenance Facility in Spokane. The top seven drivers will win prizes ranging from $50 to $300. (July 1, 2009) (Full story)


Workers' compensation benefits to increase 3.432 percent

Workers currently receiving Washington workers’ compensation wage-replacement or pension benefits will receive a 3.432 percent cost-of-living increase effective Wednesday, July 1. (June 26, 2009) (Full story)


Grant money available from L&I for safety and health improvements

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) said today it is accepting new grant applications for improving safety and health at Washington workplaces. An estimated $2,500,000 is available for grants in this funding cycle. (June 24, 2009) (Full story)


Safety conference accepting nominations for lifesaving awards

Do you know of someone who was at the right place, at the right time and did the right thing to save a life? If so, the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board is accepting nominations for the governor’s annual lifesaving awards. (June 18, 2009) (Full story)


Competitors needed for Central Washington forklift rodeo

Professional forklift drivers in Central Washington are invited to compete June 27 in a forklift rodeo at the Volpentest HAMMER Training and Education Center in Richland. (June 16, 2009) (Full story)


L&I: Beat the heat by taking precautions if you work outdoors

With temperatures warmer than normal in many parts of the state this week, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is reminding everyone that working outdoors in hot weather can put you at risk of heat-related illness. (June 1, 2009) (Full story)


Check with the state before it’s too late on home-improvement projects

Homeowners wanting to save money on home-improvement projects during the economic slowdown may be tempted to choose a contractor based only on price. (May 22, 2009) (Full story)


Workplace safety is focus of new ad campaign

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), in partnership with four business and labor organizations, today began an advertising campaign to raise awareness about the importance of workplace safety in Washington state. (May 18, 2009) (Full story)


Longview logging company honored for safety excellence

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has honored a Longview logging company with a “Commitment to Excellence” award for its outstanding workplace safety program. (May 15, 2009) (Full story)


Speakers’ message to teens: Don’t get hurt on the job like me

Nick Perry was 19 when a load of lumber fell on him and sent him to the hospital with life-changing injuries. Mike Lovett was 18 when his leg was mangled by sawmill machinery. (April 30, 2009) (Full story)


Worker Memorial Day ceremony set for April 28

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will honor the memories of 81 workers who died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses in Washington in 2008 at a Worker Memorial Day ceremony Tuesday, April 28. (April 23, 2009) (Full story)


L&I focus on petroleum refinery safety finds multiple violations at Tesoro

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has cited the Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co. at its Anacortes refinery for violations found as a result of a focused inspection aimed at reducing the likelihood of catastrophic events associated with petroleum refinery operations. (April 15, 2009) (Full story)


Painting company that defrauded workers’ comp system must pay $212,000

The owner of a Spokane residential painting company will pay $212,000 in back premiums and penalties in a case involving false reporting and cash payment of wages to avoid workers’ compensation premiums. (April 14, 2009) (Full story)


Construction Safety Day set for April 1 in Puyallup

The second annual Construction Safety Day will be held Wednesday, April 1, at the Puyallup Fairgrounds Showplex. (March 16, 2009) (Full story)


Computer coding error corrected in Retrospective Rating Program

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) said today it has corrected a duplicated line of computer coding, which will result in lower refunds for many participants in the Retrospective Rating Program (Retro), beginning this month. (February 10, 2009) (Full story)


As flood waters recede, beware of risks from damaged wiring and unregistered contractors

Victims of the flooding in Washington need to guard against also being victims of electrocution or fires or unregistered contractors, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) said today. (January 9, 2009) (Full story)


New minimum wage takes effect Jan. 1

Washington’s minimum wage increases 48 cents to $8.55 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2009. (December 23, 2008) (Full story)


Workers’ compensation insurance premiums increasing by 3 percent

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) said today premiums for workers’ compensation insurance will go up, on average, 3 percent in 2009. (December 1, 2008) (Full story)


L&I and Lease Crutcher Lewis settle appeal over safety violations

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Lease Crutcher Lewis have settled an appeal of the safety violations that were cited following the collapse of a tower crane in Bellevue in November 2006. (October 10, 2008) (Full story)


Washington’s minimum wage to increase to $8.55 Jan. 1

Washington’s minimum wage will increase 48 cents to $8.55 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2009, an increase required by a voter initiative that passed 10 years ago. (September 30, 2008) (Full story)


L&I News Release Archive

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