Potential apprentices get taste of construction work at academy

	Potential apprentices try their hand at concrete work during a week-long apprenticeship academy in July.

The 7th Annual Construction Apprenticeship Academy in July, hosted by the Northwest Washington Laborers Apprenticeship Committee, treated 40 potential apprentices and three teachers and counselors to week-long introductions to the construction trades.

Young workers aged 18-26 who attend the academy get a hands-on overview of different construction trades and make themselves eligible to apply for an apprenticeship.

Bruce Daily, a teacher in Port Orchard, said the session reaffirmed his belief in apprenticeship.

"We all learned a lot, and had the opportunity to use a wide variety of tools and equipment used within the construction trades," said Daily. "The training facility is first rate, and the instructors are all top notch! Graduating high school seniors need to be more fully aware that college is not the only option available to entering a well-paying occupation."

For information about next year's academy, call L&I at 360-902-5320/5324.

Congressman Adam Smith visits Tacoma General Hospital

	U.S. Rep. Adam Smith.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, who is an advocate for health-care apprenticeship programs, recently toured Tacoma General Hospital's Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) apprenticeship classroom and met with students as well as other partners in the system.

“The health-care industry continues to face serious workforce shortages, and the outlook is not improving quickly enough,” said Smith. “Programs like these have a noticeable impact on the workforce shortage and attract eager, hard-working people who are interested in a career in health care.”

Health Unit Coordinator apprenticeship programs, such as those offered at Tacoma General and by MultiCare Health System, were developed to address the shortage of qualified health-care workers.

Because of exposure to patient care, hospital systems and medical terminology, Health Unit Coordinators are ideally suited to move up career ladders to a variety of occupations in health- care, such as Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses, Information Technicians and Imaging Technologists.

New apprenticeship forms and information

New forms for reporting hours

A combined On-the-Job Training (OJT) Hours/Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI) Hours form has been created. Programs can continue to use the current forms, this combined form, or create a separate report. It is available on the apprenticeship electronic forms page of the L&I web site.

On-the-Job Training hours now must be reported quarterly

The Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) has directed all registered apprenticeship programs to begin reporting OJT hours on at least a quarterly basis.

Updated Apprenticeship Catalog
The Apprenticeship Catalog has been updated and is available on our apprenticeship publications page.

Federal Apprenticeship Program list online
A list of federal apprenticeship programs in Washington is now available on the apprenticeship page of the L&I web site.

WSATC Quarterly Report
For detailed information about apprenticeship, please review our October 2004 Quarterly Report to the WSATC.

Rulemaking in progress

Apprenticeship-Geographical expansion

Defining how need is determined for geographical expansion of an apprenticeship program.

Rule Preproposal — Nov.3

Rule Proposal — Feb. 2, 2005

Public Hearing: 9 a.m., March 8, 2005, L&I Tukwila office

Adoption — May 2005;

Effective — June 15, 2005

Apprenticeship Utilization on Public Works Projects

This rulemaking seeks to adopt rules to clarify the use of limited training agents on public works projects.

Public Hearings:

• 1 p.m., Dec. 7, Tukwila L&I office

• 11 a.m., Dec. 9, Spokane L&I office

Rule Adoption - February 2005

Effective - March 2005

New boilers program newsletter has useful technical updates

The Boiler/Pressure Vessel program has completed its first issue of the "The Boiler Room," a quarterly newsletter with updates and technical information from L&I's Boiler/Pressure Vessel Section. Please click on the newsletter title in this paragraph to view the current edition.

Board of Boiler Rules adopts new rules

	The Board of Boiler Rules has adopted national standards for inspection of historical boilers.

The Board of Boiler Rules has made a number of editorial changes that clarify existing WAC rules.

One major change related to inspections was in WAC 296-104-102. The board had already adopted the National Board Inspection Code but not the non-mandatory appendicies. A decision by the Board in September makes Appendix C of the code mandatory in Washington. 

This appendix, which contains a protocol for inspection of historical steam boilers such as farm tractors and old logging equipment, was adopted in response to the explosion of a historical boiler that killed four people in Ohio.

The board also adopted the NFPA 85 Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code 2004 edition for new construction on boilers with fuel input ratings of 12,500,000 BTU/hr or greater.

The Board approved these changes after a public hearing on Sept. 20 in Tacoma.

Photos required for annual Washington state work cards

Starting Dec. 31, 2004, the Boiler Program will issue a new hard plastic work card to all commissioned inspectors valid for one year. The new cards will have a photo ID of the inspector to provide a greater level of security. The photo must be renewed every five years.

Photos will be taken at the L&I office in Tumwater starting in November.

Information about the cards was sent to commissioned inspectors in October. For information, please call 360-902-5271.

Two contractor training events planned for 2005

We are now taking reservations for two planned contractor-training days:

• Jan. 21, 2005, Wood Construction Center, located at 23rd Avenue South and King Street in Seattle
• March 30, 2005, L&I Central Office, Tumwater

If you are interested in attending or would like additional information, please contact Shari Purves-Reiter, Outreach and Education Manager, 360-902-4733 or purs235@LNI.wa.gov.

These free all-day events will feature information for seasoned contractors as well as those new to the business. You will be able to set up your day to suit your business needs and interests - with training in safety, saving money on industrial and unemployment insurance, public works contracting, bidding and estimating, risk management, construction contracts, marketing and other areas of interest to contractors.

This training has also been approved for four hours of plumbing certification continuing education credit for a CEU fee of $48.00.

Enforcement stepped up against unregistered contractors

One complaint we hear frequently from contractors is the difficulty of competing for jobs against unregistered contractors who do business under the table, don't report employee hours and don't pay what they owe in workers’ compensation premiums.

Legitimate contractors are hurt in two ways by this. Their industrial insurance costs are higher than they should be, and legitimate contractors wind up paying for injury claims filed by employees of the unregistered contractors.

In response, L&I has increased enforcement efforts. In the third quarter of 2004, L&I issued:

• 288 infractions to individuals who advertised, offered to perform, or performed work without being properly registered.
• 331 referrals to L&I auditors for review of workers' compensation payments and to investigators at other agencies.

L&I also is suspending contractor registrations for contractors who fail to pay workers' compensation premiums. L&I suspended six contractor registrations in the past two months, for a total of 10 so far in 2004. Here are the most recent suspensions, including the amount of workers' compensation premiums, penalties and interest owed at the time of suspension:

• Ace Siding Company, Kenmore ($987.31)
• American West Inc., Port Angeles – Howard G. Parker ($13,847.51)
• Elias Dominguez-Gudino, Sammamish ($6,218.13)
• JW Group, Inc., Seattle ($2210.53)
• M&E Trucking/Excavation, LLC, Renton - Leonard Dempsey ($52,967.45)
• Wood Erection, LLC, Lake Stevens - Joseph Horvath ($372,908.04)

It is illegal for government agencies to issue building permits to companies and individuals that aren't registered contractors. Those that do are subject to an L&I fine. Any contractor, individual or government agency that hires an unregistered contractor can be held responsible for their unpaid workers' compensation premiums. Contractors who continue to work after being suspended are subject to a $1,000-a-day fine.

List of contractor liability insurance providers

Securing liability insurance continues to be a challenge for registered contractors. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner offers a list of insurance companies and agents that continue to underwrite liability insurance for registered contractors. You can view the list on the insurance commissioner's Web site at www.insurance.wa.gov.

Time to get started on plumber continuing-education credits

If you're a plumber or trainee, starting July 1, 2005, you will need a minimum of eight hours of continuing-education training in order to renew your certificate of competency. In addition, if you wish to take a plumber certification examination after July 1, 2005, you will need to provide documentation that you have at least eight hours of classroom training prior to sitting for the exam.

The requirement increases to 16 hours of continuing-education training on July 1, 2006.

All approved continuing-education classes can be found in the plumbers section of the L&I web site at www.LNI.wa.gov. New classes are being added monthly.

Rulemaking - Medical gas plumber certification

Medical gas piping rules revised to bring state rules up to current national standards.

Rule Proposal — February 2005

Public Hearing — March 2005 Location to be announced

Adoption — May 2005

Effective — June 2005

Factory Assembled Structures regulations improvement

The Factory Assembled Structures (FAS) program continues to partner with the Office of Manufactured Homes (OMH), Modular Building Institute (MBI), realtors, owners and industry stakeholders to improve regulations while ensuring public safety. We are reviewing regulations, looking at the effectiveness of our processes, and considering ways to provide useful information through workshops for people involved in the industry.

Clarified mobile vending vehicle rules coming soon
L&I is also working with manufacturers of mobile vending vehicles to propose rule changes to help clarify which units are exempt from sections of 43.22 RCW which cover factory assembled structures. The rules will be effective in late December or early January.

Credit and debit cards can be used for CD deposits

If you're a contractor using a contractor deposit (CD) account for your online transactions with L&I, you can now use your credit or debit card to make deposits into you account when visiting any one of L&I’s 22 service locations.

In addition to contractor deposit account deposits, you may use credit/debit cards at all L&I field offices for most L&I transactions, including electrical licenses and permits, contractor registrations and renewal, and Factory Assembled Structures (FAS) permits. L&I accepts only cash, checks or money orders for industrial insurance premiums and master business licenses (UBI).

Rulemaking to adopt International Building Codes

The purpose of this rulemaking is to:

• Adopt the most recent International Building Codes (based on 2003 legislative changes) and other nationally recognized codes and standards as adopted by the State Building Code Council.
• Make clarifying and housekeeping changes.
• Review the rules for possible substantive changes.

Public Hearing: 9 a.m., Nov. 12, L&I Central Office, Tumwater

Rule Adoption - Dec. 14

Effective - Feb. 1, 2005

Annual Electrical Program stakeholder meetings start in November

Stakeholder meetings that let you know what is happening in the Electrical Program now and in the future are scheduled in 11 locations across the state. During November, December and January, regional and Central Office staff (the chief electrical inspector, or technical specialist and the administrative staff) will present the meetings.

Past stakeholder meetings have been very popular and a great way for us for us to connect with our customers. We welcome your attendance and input.

Dates and locations:

(All meetings are scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.)

• Nov. 15  Yakima, 2011 W. Washington, Perry Technical Institute
• Nov. 16  Kennewick, 2721 W. 10th Ave. Benton PUD
• Nov. 17  Pullman, 325 SE Paradise, Pullman City Hall
• Nov. 18  Spokane, 901 N. Monroe, L&I Bldg., Room 4
• Dec. 7  Tukwila, 12806 Gateway Dr., L&I Bldg., Training Room
• Dec. 8  Everett, 2320 California, Snohomish PUD
• Dec. 15  Tacoma, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S., Library Bldg.
• Dec. 16  Bremerton, 2400 Perry Ave., Perry Grade School
• Jan. 5, 2005  Vancouver, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Clark PUD Bldg.

L&I web site can help you protect your investment

You can use L&I’s improved, easier-to-use Look Up a Contractor, Electrician, or Plumber feature to verify the licensing and workers’ compensation status of construction and electrical contractors, as well as trade workers in the plumbing and electrical fields.

Contractors can also use this feature to verify the certification status of current or potential employees and avoid potential citations for employing workers who are uncertified or have expired certifications. Owners can use the site to verify that contractors and workers on their projects have the appropriate license/certificate.

You can also stay up to date with all electrical news by visiting the Electrical Program section of the L&I web site.

Revised electrical regulations start Nov. 22

Changes to WAC 296-46B, effective Nov. 22, include:

• Exemption from permitting for specific like-in-kind sign maintenance.
• Reduced qualifications for becoming a continuing- education instructor.
• Definition of the requirements to receive an independent power producer exemption.
• Creation of a provisional electrical work permit label.

You can view all of the WAC revisions on the Electrical Program section of the L&I web site.

2005 rule proposal process

The deadline for submitting new rule proposals for the WAC has now passed, and the Electrical Board and Technical Advisory Committee will soon review all proposals received during the open proposal period. The next effective date for rule revisions is June 2005.

Also, the 2005 National Electrical Code will be adopted during the current process and will be effective in June 2005. Please select this link to see the full rulemaking schedule.

We will use the Electrical Program e-mail list to keep everyone informed of the progress of rule revisions. You may sign up for e-mail information from the Electrical Program on the Electrical Program e-mail list.

Customers can join L&I electrical inspector training

Here’s an opportunity to get the same technical training L&I provides to its electrical inspectors, free of charge. We are planning two one-day 2005 National Electrical Code update classes in the first half of 2005, and you can claim one of the limited number of public spaces available for this training.

Subscribers to the Electrical Program e-mail list will receive first notice of the space-available training dates and locations. Available spaces usually fill in the first 48 hours, so act quickly. Join our e-mail list and watch for the opportunities for future free training presented by the Electrical Program. Do not miss this great opportunity!

More than 700 elevator mechanics and contractors seek license

Licenses have arrived or are on the way to more than 700 elevator mechanics and elevator contractors who applied for licenses that are now required by Washington state law. The grace period for applying for a license while still being allowed to work without a license passed on Sept. 30.

The first elevator mechanic and contractor exam was held in Tumwater on Oct. 9, and we expect to sponsor another exam this fall. If you have applied for an elevator mechanic or contractor license and need to take the exam, L&I will notify you about the next opportunity to take the test.

Elevator mechanic and contractor licenses are already required in 15 states. Washington's new licensing requirements were approved by the Legislature in 2003 and 2004, with support from L&I and the elevator industry.

As of early November, L&I received 58 applications for elevator contractor licenses and 653 applications for elevator mechanic licenses.

L&I elevator chief takes position at national industry association

L&I's Chief Elevator Inspector, Dotty Stanlaske, has left L&I to become Executive Director of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International (NAESA), located in Phoenix.

Dotty chalked up some significant accomplishments since her arrival at L&I in January 2002.  She worked with the elevator industry to develop new elevator mechanic and contractor licensing laws and regulations, established an elevator permit status feature on the L&I web site, and started the monthly Rising Times online newsletter to supply more timely information to elevator professionals, building owners and facilities managers.

Most importantly, she campaigned tirelessly for safe installation, maintenance and use of elevators, escalators, lifts and other conveyances.

Pete Schmidt, current Chief of Contractor Registration, Factory Assembled Structures, and Plumber Certification, will serve as acting chief elevator inspector until Dotty’s replacement is onboard.

L&I updating three prevailing wage job classifications

L&I is surveying employers to update prevailing wages for job classifications in three trades.

Participating in a prevailing wage survey is worth your time because it ensures prevailing wages accurately reflect the wages that are being paid to workers in the particular trade or occupation. If you are in one of these industries, you are encouraged to participate in the surveys:

• Power line construction electricians WAC 296-127-01320
• Outside telephone line construction WAC 296-127-01377
• Power line clearance tree trimming WAC 296-127-01387
• Electronic technicians WAC 296-127-01322
• Telecommunication technician WAC 296-127-01378

(Note: Please select the link on each of the job classifications to see the current scope of duties.)

Our plan is to mail out surveys Nov. 19. We expect to publish the rates for these job classifications in our semiannual wage publication Feb. 1, 2005. The new wages will take effect March 3, 2005.

If you need more information or want to participate in the survey, please contact Josh Swanson at 360-902-5330 or by e-mail at swaj235@LNI.wa.gov.

Online prevailing wage system available Dec. 10 to non-licensed trades

L&I’s popular online system for filing prevailing wage intents and affidavits will soon be available to businesses that perform janitorial services, trucking, surveying, custom manufacturing, and other non-licensed trades services for public works projects covered by prevailing wage requirements.

Previously, this service was available only to registered construction contractors or licensed electrical contractors. More than 60 percent of intents and affidavits are now filed online, saving time and money for contractors.  As of Dec. 10, non-licensed trades can take advantage of the system as well.

It’s easy to use -- Just go to:

www.PrevailingWageIntents.lni.wa.gov and follow the instructions.

For more information, contact Mike Fuller at 360-902-5337 or fulm235@LNI.wa.gov.

Employment Standards contact number goes toll-free

You can now call L&I toll-free with your employment standards questions or needs.

The new number is 866-219-7321.

You can find information about these topics on the new toll-free system:

• Regulations protecting agricultural workers.
• Minimum wage.
• Wages, overtime, breaks, work schedules, benefits, family care issues and other workplace issues.
• How to file a workplace rights complaint.
• Access to bilingual staff.
• Child labor laws and teen worker safety information.
• Posters, forms, publications.

This information also can be found on the L&I web site at LNI.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights.

Don’t have a computer to do L&I business? Use ours!

L&I is experimenting with a computer kiosk in its Yakima local office that provides quick access to online services. It’s available during business hours free of charge. You can also use the kiosk to:

• File prevailing wage intents and affidavits.
• Submit contractor registration applications.
• Look up a contractor’s registration and licenses.
• Submit electrical licensing, plumber certification applications.
• Apply and pay for elevator mechanic or contractor licensing.
• Look up a contractor’s workers’ compensation status.
• View and research approved prevailing wage intents and affidavits.

The Yakima L&I office is located at 15 W. Yakima Ave., Suite 100. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information and help with new federal overtime rules

Need help understanding how the new federal overtime rules apply to you or your business? Call us!

Your contact is Janis Kerns, 360-902-5552 or kerj235@lni.wa.gov. Information is also available online at www.Wages.LNI.wa.gov.

Washington’s minimum wage increases to $7.35 an hour Jan. 1, 2005

L&I recalculates Washington's minimum wage each year as required by Initiative 688, which was approved by voters in 1998. The law requires that the state minimum wage be adjusted according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the 12 months ending each Aug. 31.

The CPI-W increased 2.6 percent during that period, raising the 2005 Washington minimum wage by 19 cents to $7.35 an hour. For more information, go to Wages.LNI.wa.gov and select “Minimum Wage.”

A copy of the 2005 minimum wage poster can be downloaded at the same location on the L&I web site.

Events

National Elevator Safety Week

Nov. 7-13

L&I Contractor-Training Days

Jan. 21, 2005

Wood Construction Center (Located at 23rd Avenue South and King Street in Seattle)

March 30, 2005

L&I Central Office, Tumwater

(For more information, contact Shari Purves-Reiter, 360-902-4733 or purs235@LNI.wa.gov)

Proposed rule changes, public hearings

Factory Assembled Structures

Please Note: This schedule has been revised since the August edition of SCS Quarterly Update.

The purpose of this rulemaking is to:

• Adopt the most recent International Building Codes (based on 2003 legislative changes) and other nationally recognized codes and standards as adopted by the State Building Code Council.
• Make clarifying and housekeeping changes.
• Review the rules for possible substantive changes.

Public Hearing: 9 a.m.

Nov. 12

L&I Central Office, Tumwater

Rule Adoption - Dec. 14

Effective - Feb. 1, 2005

Apprenticeship-Geographical expansion

Defining how need is determined for geographical expansion of an apprenticeship program.

Rule Preproposal — Nov.3

Rule Proposal — Feb. 2, 2005

Public Hearing: 9 a.m.

March 8, 2005

L&I Tukwila office

Adoption – May 2005

Effective – June 15, 2005

Apprenticeship Utilization on Public Works Projects

This rulemaking seeks to adopt rules to clarify the use of limited training agents on public works projects.

Public Hearings:

Dec. 7, 1 p.m.

Tukwila L&I office

Dec. 9, 11 a.m.

Spokane L&I office

Rule Adoption — February 2005

Effective — March 2005

Electrical

This proposed rule would create a provisional electrical permit and place the definition of an independent power producer into rule. The proposed new rules solve permit problems for service companies and define independent power producers.

Public Hearings held Sept. 21 in Tumwater, Sept. 22 in Moses Lake

Rule Adopted — Oct. 20

Effective Date — Nov. 22

Electrical

Rule changes proposed by stakeholders through open comment process.

Rule Preproposal — October 2004

Rule Proposal — March 2005

Public Hearing - Early April 2005

Adoption — Late April 2005

Effective — June 2005

Plumber Certification

Medical gas piping rules revised to bring state rules up to current national standards.

Rule Proposal — February 2005

Public Hearing — March 2005 Location to be announced

Adoption — May 2005

Effective — June 2005

Boilers

Rules changes address actions and requests of the Board of Boiler Rules, among them, a rule granting Chief Boiler Inspector authority to cite inspectors who chronically submit inadequate documentation.

Public Hearing held Sept. 20 in Tacoma

Rule Adopted — Oct. 19

Effective — Jan. 1, 2005

Rulemaking process definitions:

Rule Preproposal
L&I lets you know well in advance that we’re thinking about creating or changing a state rule (regulation).

Rule Proposal
We announce that we are initiating a rulemaking process and send out a draft of the proposed rule for public comment.

Public Hearing
Your opportunity to publicly speak to L&I about the proposed rule.

Rule Adoption
If the rule is adopted, L&I announces that fact and the effective date.

Effective Date
The date on which L&I will begin to enforce the rule.

Office of Information and Assistance: 1-800-547-8367

Contractor Registration Verification: 1-800-647-0982

Report-a-Fraud Hotline
(to report unregistered contractors): 1-888-811-5974

Employment Standards Information (minimum wage, overtime, working conditions, teen workers, prevailing wage, agricultural workers):

1-866-219-7321

Issue 6, Fall 2004

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
Quarterly Update is an e-mail newsletter distributed four times a year by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries' Specialty Compliance Services division. Receiving this newsletter is the best way to keep up-to-date on Specialty Compliance Services' activities and issues.

Subscriptions:
To subscribe, or to unsubscribe, go to (URL and instructions)

Trades and Licensing web site: www.LNI.wa.gov/
TradesLicensing

Workplace Rights web site: www.LNI.wa.gov/
WorkplaceRights