Apprenticeship Registration and Tracking System (ARTS)
now available
Employers, apprentices and others can now use L&I's Apprenticeship Registration and Tracking System
(ARTS) to view information about registered
apprenticeship programs.

The system is available at: http://www.LNI.wa.gov/scs/apprenticeship/
artswebinfo.htm.

With ARTS, you can:

• Check apprentice registration status.
• Find registered apprenticeship programs by occupation.
• Look up addresses, web sites (if available),
  locations to pick up applications,
  and other information on registered programs.
• Check training agents and employers participating in registered apprenticeship programs.
• Find contact information for L&I apprenticeship coordinators.
• View the standards for registered apprenticeship programs.
• Find committee information.

We encourage apprenticeship programs, employers and individuals to use the site and to provide comments and feedback on the look, content and ease of use of the site.

For more information, please contact Michael Thurman at 360-902-5324 or thum235@LNI.wa.gov.

Electronic apprenticeship forms updated
The electronic apprenticeship forms have been revised and updated on the Internet. They are available at: http://www.LNI.wa.gov/scs/apprenticeship/eforms.htm.

For more information, please contact Michael Thurman at 360-902-5324 or thum235@LNI.wa.gov.

Progress made on eliminating overdue inspections
For the past quarter, we have reduced boiler/pressure vessel overdue inspections to 4.22 percent, well below the goal of 11 percent that was set this year.

Boiler/Pressure Vessel installation and reinstallation permits available
The Boiler Section began using its installation permit in January 2002, and we have seen a marked increase in the number of permits that are being requested. This permit has helped streamline our first inspections and eliminated confusion for our customers. Response time to a permit request is within 24 hours. Permits are available at our web site at www.LNI.wa.gov/scs/boilers.

Online Boiler Section database increases productivity
In May 2002, we began using Jurisdiction On Line (JOL), an Internet-based database program. The JOL system —which can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — gives our inspectors real-time data while doing location or object searches. This ability greatly increases the inspector's productivity by affording better time management and work efficiency, eliminating duplicate and missed inspections. Customer service has increased, due to accurate information retrieval. Processing time for inspection reports, invoicing and issuance of certificates has also been greatly reduced.

Consumer outreach program highlighted in The Olympian
The Olympian recently featured L&I's Contractor Registration/Consumer Outreach and Education program on its State Workers page.

With the headline "Raising homeowners' awareness: L&I program offers tips on getting good contractors," reporter Brad Shannon wrote about the five-month-old program in Specialty Compliance Services that was created to help educate consumers on their legal rights when hiring a contractor or remodeler.

The program, which grew out of agency-requested legislation in 2001, often takes L&I's messages about contractor registration and other services on the road to home shows, county fairs and other venues.

To view the story, click on http://www.theolympian.com/home/specialsections/
StateWorkers/20030811/73155.shtml.

Rulemaking effort to occur
L&I filed proposed changes to the contractor rules with the Office of the Code Reviser in July. Public hearings were held in August.

This rulemaking is a result of the department's request legislation - Contractor Registration/Consumer Protection, Chapter 159, (Substitute Senate Bill 5101) - that successfully passed the Legislature and was signed into law in 2001. The purpose of this legislation was to enhance consumer protection via increased bonding requirements, set aside compensation for homeowners, increase enforcement tools, and increase in consumer outreach. Updates on the proposed rules will be posted on our web site in upcoming months.

For more information, watch for updates on our web site: www.LNI.wa.gov/scs/contractors/.

First-time registration now available online through QuickCards
Building-trades professionals can now register online with L&I's QuickCards Internet system. The 24-hour service allows them to register anytime, from home or office.

Previously, contractors could renew their cards online, but were still required to apply for their initial registration at an L&I office or by mail.

State law requires all construction contractors to be registered, electricians and electrical contractors to be licensed, and plumbers to be certified through L&I.

QuickCards is available for construction contractors, electrical contractors, electrical administrators, electrical trainees, electricians, plumbers, plumber trainees and medical gas plumbing endorsements.

Electrical Board update
The Electrical Board met on July 31. The board directed L&I to seek an outside contractor to review and approve continuing-education courses. L&I will track course attendance as part of the requirements for certificate renewal.

Procedures were discussed to formulate a study group to review the impacts of current general contractor registration and electrical licensing as they pertain to boiler maintenance and repair.

WAC development under way
The opportunity has closed to propose changes to the state's electrical administrative code (WAC 296-46B). The electrical Technical Advisory Committee met on August 26 to review submitted proposals. The committee is tentatively scheduled to meet again November 20-21.

Awareness week conveys message of elevator and escalator safety
National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week is November 9-15. The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation currently has two programs dealing with the safe use of elevators and escalators:

• The "Safe-T-Rider" program, which was developed for elementary school children.
• "A Safe Ride," which was developed for the older population.

L&I's Elevator Program is passionate about using public education to decrease the number of injuries that occur each year on elevators and escalators.

If you are planning an event and would like our staff to participate so that we can spread the word about elevator and escalator safety, please contact Elevator Chief Dotty Stanlaske, 360-902-6128.

L&I to adopt new elevator codes
L&I and the State Building Code Council will adopt new codes in 2004. L&I will adopt the ASME A17.1 2000 code, along with the 2002 and 2003 addenda. This code has major changes from the currently adopted ASME A17.1 1996 code. L&I will also be adopting the ASME A18.1 1999 and 2001 addenda for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts. The anticipated date for adoption of these codes by L&I is March 2004.

In addition, the WAC 296-96 codes will be updated to address issues such as elevator mechanic and contractor licensing as required by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5942, along with others that will take effect March of 2004. There will be some changes to the minimum standards to all existing elevators included in the new WAC rules, as well.

The Legislature has adopted the International Building Codes, and Building Code Council committees are currently doing comparisons of the building code amendments. The adoption date for the International Building Codes is July 1, 2004.

We encourage everyone who is impacted by these changes to study the new codes because there are some substantial differences.

Child labor workshops for employers to be held
This fall, the Employment Standards program will hold employer workshops around the state about child labor issues.

"What You Need to Know About Hiring Teens" will cover child labor regulations, including the hours of work, prohibited work activities, rest and meal breaks, minimum wage and administrative requirements. In addition, information about developing an approach to injury prevention for young workers will also be covered, including tools and strategies available that employers can use to integrate safety awareness for young workers into day-to-day work practices.

A schedule of these workshops will be posted soon on the Employment Standards web site. The free, two-hour workshops will provide participants with resources and local L&I contacts. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Mary Miller, child labor program specialist, at mmar235@LNI.wa.gov or 360-902-6041.

Child labor citation issued against Town & Country Paving
In July, L&I issued a $2,000 citation against Town & Country Paving of Graham. The citation was issued after an investigation found that the company owner's 10-year-old son was raking asphalt near heavy machinery.

State minor work regulations prohibit minors under 16, including children of business owners, from working on a construction site in any capacity. Minors who are 16 or 17 may work on construction sites, but there are many prohibited duties for them.

The Legislature created child labor and safety laws to protect young workers in high-risk jobs. In addition to the physical differences from adult workers, young people have differences in psychology, cognitive abilities and skills.

For more information about teen and child labor rules, go to the Employment Standards web site at http://www.lni.wa.gov/scs/workstandards/teenworker.htm or call 360-902-5303.

Ruling in "Third Runway" case favorable for L&I
King County Superior Court recently ruled in favor of L&I on a prevailing wage case involving Silverstreak Inc. and four other trucking companies.

The court ruled on July 16 that workers employed by five trucking companies were entitled to prevailing wages for the work they performed on a public works project known as Sea-Tac Third Runway Embankment Phase I Project. This case had been referred to as the "Third Runway" case.

The case has been appealed to the Court of Appeals Division I in Seattle.

Board of Boiler Rules meeting, Sept. 15-16, L&I Tumwater office, Room S117.

52nd Annual Governor's Industrial Safety and Health Conference, Sept. 17-18, Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle. Registration forms are available online at www.LNI.wa.gov/wisha/gov-conf/, or by phone, toll-free at 877-866-7498. TDD users call 1-360-902-5797.

Prevailing Wage Advisory Committee meeting, Sept. 18, 9-11:30 a.m., L&I Tumwater office, Room S117.

Olympia Home Show, Sept. 26-28, Worthington Center, Olympia. Stop by L&I's consumer-outreach booth at space W5.

Seattle Home Show, Oct. 2-5, Seattle Seahawk Exhibition Center. Stop by L&I's consumer-outreach booth at space 5021.

Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council quarterly meeting, Oct. 16-17, WestCoast Ridpath Hotel, Spokane. For additional information and copies of the agenda, please call 360-902-5320 or e-mail thum235@lni.wa.gov.

Governor's Advisory Board of Plumbers meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 21, L&I Tukwila office.

Electrical Board meeting, Oct. 30, 9 a.m., L&I Tumwater office.

Board of Boiler Rules meeting, Nov. 17-18, L&I Tacoma office.

Elevator Advisory Committee meeting, Nov. 18, 9-11 a.m., L&I Tukwila office.

Prevailing Wage Advisory Committee meeting, Dec. 18, 9-11:30 a.m., L&I Tumwater office, Room S117.

Issue 2, Fall 2003

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