Apprenticeship program helps young people stay in Spokane

Meet Joe Weiss.
Joe is a 1997 Rogers High School (Spokane) graduate and now a fifth-year sheet metal apprentice.
Just six short years after graduating from Rogers, Joe was able to become a homeowner and now a School District #81 taxpayer himself.

“After high school, I attended Spokane Community College for two years, and the jobs available just didn’t seem to offer the long-term potential for earnings and continual education opportunities, even with a two-year HVAC/service degree.

"The Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program has been a very good choice for me. I am only 24 years old and in my last year of training, and I was able to become a homeowner two years ago.

“You bet I support District #81 requiring an apprenticeship set-aside for the upcoming construction off of the school bonds we just passed. I know a lot of my Rogers classmates who moved to Seattle after graduation because of the lack of good jobs. The apprenticeship set-aside would help keep younger folks in Spokane by giving them the same opportunity that I had.”

(From the Northeastern Washington-Northern Idaho Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Committee)

Puget Sound Electrical JATC—Apprentice of the Year

Vladimir Zadniprovskiy, Puget Sound Electrical JATC Apprentice of the Year, 2004.

Vladimir Zadniprovskiy was named the Puget Sound Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) Apprentice of the Year at graduation ceremonies on May 22. This is no small honor! He received a plaque, cash award, certificate acknowledging perfect attendance for his entire apprenticeship, gift certificate to Platt Electric Supply, and a set of Klein tools. In addition, his name is now engraved on the perpetual plaque honoring apprentices of the year, which hangs in the PSE JATC offices.

Boeing graduates 1,000th apprentice

Boeing apprentice graduates, from left to right, Dennis Bolestridge (#999), Duane Mero (#998), and Hal Fitzgerald (#1000).

Since its first graduating class in 1941, many highly skilled and dedicated individuals have graduated from the Boeing/IAM Joint Apprenticeship Program. In June, graduate number 1,000, Hal Fitzgerald, completed his program. Hal is an Industrial Electronic Maintenance (IAM) Technician and is the third technician to graduate from this new apprenticeship program. Boeing’s apprenticeship program has been in existence for 69 years and is the longest running Washington state program. It’s a great partnership between the company and the IAM District 751.

Local companies contribute time and goods

The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC), Seattle, Washington is incredibly grateful to several businesses for the nearly $65,000 of in-kind contributions to The Morrison Rehabilitation.

Apprentices Owen Craft and Joseph Calpito from CITC build 62 sets of bunk beds for the shelter.

Students from the Construction Industry Training Council (CITC) generously constructed 62 sets of bunk beds to be placed in the emergency shelter after the rehabilitation. Currently, most of the 137 men who sleep in the shelter nightly must do so on mats placed on the floor.

The bunk beds are due also to a donation toward the purchase of materials from Matheus Lumber, and sealer and finish coat by CITC with material donations from America’s Choice Painting and Sherwin Williams. CITC students performed the labor as part of class assignments. Nuprecon is providing dry storage of the bunks until they are placed in use in 2005.

“It’s part of the culture of the construction industry to give back to the community, and this allows students to get a taste of that as they begin in the trades,” said Ericka Bean, a CITC fist-year carpentry instructor.

Many thanks to Chip Gregory, Morrison Assistant Project Manager for Rafn, general contractor, for coordinating these efforts.

Tri-Cities apprentices take on volunteer projects

The electrical apprentices for LU 112-NECA Electrical JATC are taking an active role in their community by volunteering the electrical work for many special projects in the area. This rewarding experience is a “win-win” for the training program as well as the community. The program is able to demonstrate that we are everyone’s neighbors and the community learns about opportunities in apprenticeship programs.

Currently, the apprentices are volunteering the electrical work for the Regional Veterans Memorial in Kennewick. This illuminated project will be a showpiece for our region in honor of those who served in the armed forces.

Next year, they will be taking on the annual “Bulldog House” project for Pasco High School. They have the only program in the state that actually builds a quality house every year, using the skilled trades to help work with and mentor the high school students.

The apprentices also have volunteered their time for Habitat for Humanity homes for the past two years, worked on a facility for local youth soccer teams, and assisted with expansion of the Tri-Cities Hospice House. They intend to volunteer again next year when the hospice plans to add a new facility in Kennewick.

Pressure valve ruled out as cause of Shelton mill explosion

The Boiler/Pressure Vessel program has completed its portion of L&I’s investigation of the June 23 explosion at the Simpson Lumber Mill in Shelton. An initial investigation conducted on the morning of the explosion determined that no physical damage was done to the pressure vessel in the facility where the explosion occurred. As a precautionary measure, the safety valve on the pressure vessel was removed by Simpson and given to L&I for further analysis. Tests conducted on the valve by the National Board Testing Laboratory in Columbus, Ohio, indicated that the valve was functioning properly. Those test results, along with our inspection, rule out the pressure vessel or the safety valve as being the cause of the explosion. This incident is still under investigation by L&I’s industrial safety (WISHA) team and other interested parties.

Boiler Board and Electrical Board decide requirements for electrical work on boilers

The Board of Boiler Rules and the Electrical Board jointly decided on July 29 not to change the way the state licenses electrical maintenance work on boilers. House Senate Bill 6586 required a determination by the two boards, and they decided that such work should still be done by electricians with the appropriate level of electrical license. The decision was reached after numerous public meetings and discussions on the topic during the past two years.

The two boards approved a letter that will be sent to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) communicating the boards’ decision to the Legislature. To see the complete letter, please select this link to "Special Notices" in the Boilers section of the L&I web site.

L&I supports level playing field for law-abiding contractors

Contractors, workers, and industry groups have told us that they depend on L&I to enforce contractor laws and regulations so that responsible contractors that follow the rules aren't undercut by those who don't.

Part of L&I's response is to suspend contractor registrations for contractors who fail to pay workers' compensation premiums. Two contractors were suspended in June, and these two firms were suspended as of July 16, 2004, after L&I was unsuccessful in repeated attempts to work out payment agreements:

• Rod Krebs Construction, Inc.Poulsbo — President Rod Krebs owes $4,946.27 in workers' compensation premiums, penalties and interest.
• High-Tech Installations, Sunnyside — Owner Alex Rivera owes $1,501.62 in workers' compensation premiums, penalties and interest.

Government agencies are prohibited from issuing building permits to companies and individuals that aren't registered contractors. Any contractor or individual who 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.

New on the Internet

The L&I web site carries a quarterly list of infractions issued to registered and unregistered contractors and plumbers for violations of laws requiring contractors to be registered ( RCW 18.27 ) and requiring plumbers to be certified ( RCW 18.106 ), as well as other related infractions. It will be updated as needed or on a quarterly basis.

Anti-fraud effort under way

Thanks to more powerful enforcement tools provided by the state Legislature, L&I has stepped up its anti-fraud efforts against employers, medical-service providers and workers who cheat the workers' compensation system. Among those targeted are unregistered contractors who don't pay workers' compensation premiums.

A big challenge is businesses that owe L&I insurance premiums and then close their doors to avoid payment, reopening under a slightly different name or a new owner. With the new "Successorship Liability" provision, the debt can now transfer to the new owner along with such things as leased equipment and company phone numbers. L&I also can now hold officers of a company, LLC or partnership personally liable for unpaid premiums when the business terminates or is abandoned.

Meanwhile, the "Prime Contractor Liability" provision in the law gives general contractors a way to protect themselves from paying L&I premiums for the subcontractors they hire. Contractors still must make sure subcontractors meet the four criteria for being a separate and independent business. If the subcontractor meets those criteria, all the general contractor must do is check once a year on the status of that subcontractor's account with L&I. Contractors can do that online at PremiumStatus.LNI.wa.gov or by phone at 360-902-4753.

New plumbing rules in effect

The state's new plumber certification rules went into effect on June 30, 2004. L&I developed the rules in response to legislation that passed in 2002 and 2003 (ESHB 2470 and ESSB 5713). They establish testing requirements, trainee hours tracking rules, and continuing education requirements. The rules also increased fees by 3.2 percent (see "Cost of business fee increases for permits" story above) and makes necessary housekeeping changes.

For copies of the rules, please select this link to "Plumber Certification Rules" on the State of Washington web site.

Contractor training events planned for Sept. 28 and Oct. 22

Contractor-training days have been scheduled for Sept. 28 in conjunction with the Governor's Industrial Safety and Health Conference in Spokane and Oct. 22 in Seattle at the Wood Construction Center at Seattle Central Community College.

These all-day events will feature information for seasoned contractors as well as for contractors 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 claims costs, public works contracting, recordkeeping, risk management and marketing your business.

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.

Special team boosts enforcement of electrical rules

L&I's "SAFES" (Strategic Action For Electrical Safety) team is doing compliance work in cities and towns around the state. In response to the concerns from legitimate contractors about the underground economy, these electrical compliance inspectors are focusing their efforts on finding unlicensed electrical contractors, uncertified electricians, and those who fail to obtain required electrical permits.

The team has been very successful since it was formed in April, issuing just over 700 citations in the targeted areas and over 100 referrals to other programs for violations of the general contracting, industrial insurance, and jobsite safety laws.

SAFES team members are working exclusively on compliance investigations and have no electrical inspection duties. Team supervisor Jim Hinrichs is accepting good referrals from contractors who compete with firms and individuals that operate out of compliance with the law. If you have verifiable information of unfair competition, illegal activities, or illegal work in progress, you may contact Jim at 425-290-1320. The team is based in the Everett L&I office, but is working across Washington.

You will increase the chances of a successful investigation if you complete an Electrical Inspection Witness Statement (form F500-087-000 ) or Investigation Report (form F500-076-000 ) available on our Electrical forms web page.

Latest revisions to electrical laws and rules available soon on compact disk

A free copy of a CD containing the new version of the electrical laws (RCWs) and rules (WACs), electrical information sheets, and forms will be sent soon to all of the individuals and firms that the Electrical Program regulates. L&I will mail one free copy to the holders of each contractor license, administrator, electrician, or training certificate in good standing. Owners may obtain CDs at regional L&I offices. We will use your current address-of-record in our database, so if you have relocated since your last renewal, please update your mailing address with a Request For Change Of Address form available on the L&I web site.

Anyone requesting a printed copy or a second CD must pay the $5 fee required in the WAC rule. You may obtain additional copies of the CD or a printed copy of the materials on the disk by sending your name and address plus $5 in a check or money order for each copy to:

Department of Labor and Industries
Electrical Section
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460

Electrical Program working with other jurisdictions

The Electrical Program is coordinating the development of electrical exams with other states. Chief Electrical Inspector Ron Fuller will present a proposal to the other reciprocal states to join with Washington to develop comprehensive examinations with questions that are suitable for all states. Montana is already working with Washington, and other reciprocal states are showing interest.

Coordination with other states offers improved validity for our examinations and will help reduce the work required to update and maintain the extensive database required for exams. Fuller will be meeting with our reciprocal partner states in August to discuss licensing and inspection processes.

Proposed new rules solve permit problem for service companies, define independent power producer

A proposed electrical rule change being considered this fall would help service companies work efficiently while posting a permit at the job site.

When service-call companies respond to a call, they do not know exactly what type of work will need to be performed. Under the current rules, the responding electrician must do one of two things before proceeding with the job: 1) call back to the office and have them immediately purchase an electrical permit or 2) leave the job and go to L&I and purchase a permit. Both options are a work stoppage challenge for this industry and do not make good business sense.

This rulemaking will create a provisional electrical permit to allow service-call companies some flexibility with permitting. Under this approach, electricians can pre-purchase a batch of provisional permits and use them on job sites as long as the appropriate electrical permit is purchased within two working days after posting the provisional permit.

In addition, this rulemaking process proposes to place into rule L&I’s policy language that sets the definition of an independent power producer, as directed by the Electrical Board. L&I has heard requests from the Electrical Board, electrical industry and electrical utility industry to place this language into rule.

See the Proposed Rule Changes, Public Hearings section of this newsletter for public hearing dates and locations.

New licensing requirements help protect elevator mechanics & contractors

On July 1, L&I implemented the new law that sets specific training and experience requirements for mechanics who work on elevators, escalators, wheelchair lifts and other lift devices for people and cargo. Licensing requirements also have been set for contractors who sell elevator installation, repair and maintenance services.

No passenger has been killed or seriously hurt by a public elevator in Washington in many years, although an eight-year-old boy was killed last month while riding alone in an unregistered elevator in his home in Skamania County. By contrast, in the past four years, three people have been seriously hurt and two killed in Washington while working on elevators.

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.   

The new law requires elevator contractors and mechanics to take a state exam unless they meet certain training and experience requirements. Because licensing is new, mechanics and contractors can continue to work on elevators and other conveyances without a license until Oct. 1, 2004, as long as they qualify for a license and have submitted an application to L&I.

More information is available at Elevators.LNI.wa.gov.

Prevailing wage service improves thanks to popular online system

Lots of you are using L&I's new Prevailing Wage Internet Application (PWIA), and that's allowing L&I to process prevailing wage paperwork much faster than before, plus it's helping L&I to get rid of some other prevailing wage backlogs.

As of the end of July, more than 60 percent of prevailing wage intents and affidavits were filed through this online system - more than twice the level of use before enhancements and customer service support were completed in March. The PWIA is an Internet-based application that allows registered or licensed contractors to quickly file the required forms with estimates of how many prevailing wage workers they'll hire and what they intend to pay for a public construction project (known as "Intents") and demonstrate what they actually paid on the job (known as "affidavits"), plus electronically pay for their processing by credit card. Using the system, contractors receive same-day and sometimes same-hour service.

Increased use of the PWIA by contractors has greatly speeded L&I's processing of manual or mail-in processing of intents and affidavits. Normal turnaround time is now no more than seven days, compared to more than 20 days in March.

It has created the additional benefit of freeing up staff time to do a better job of finding contractors who are paying wages for certain types of workers but not paying the right workers' compensation premiums. L&I has also been able to improve processing of requests for certified payrolls which help to verify wages paid on public projects.

For more information and instructions about how to file intents and affidavits online and, if you are a current customer, information about using the new log-on identification and password system to access PWIA, please select PrevailingWageIntents.LNI.wa.gov.

$1.2 million recovered for low-wage workers

We're cracking down on employers who owe wages to their workers and don't pay. Our strongest effort is for the lowest of low-wage workers — people who earn $11 an hour or less. In the past 12 months, we have put more than $1.2 million back into the pockets of these workers — workers who earned their pay but didn't get it. That's a 26 percent increase over last year — and we will do better in the coming year.

Teen worker safety ad campaign reaches 183,000 women

Workplace safety messages for teens hit the airwaves in July as L&I sponsored radio ads in Seattle and Spokane urging parents to learn more about state rules for young workers. Based on ratings information for the stations, the ads reached an estimated 183,000 people in our targeted group during the four-week duration of the campaign. We specifically targeted women in the 35-54 age group for these ads because they are the most likely to have teenagers in their households.

Proposed rule changes, public hearings

Factory Assembled Structures

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.

Rule Preproposal — June 22

Rule Proposal — Sept. 21

Public Hearing — Oct. 26, L&I Central Ofc., Tumwater

Rule Adoption — Nov. 30

Effective — Jan. 1, 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.

Rule Preproposal — July 21

Rule Proposal — Nov.3

Public Hearings:

• December 7 Tukwila L&I Service Location
• December 9 Spokane L&I Service Location

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 (please see Proposed new rules solve permit problem for service companies, define independent power producers in the Electrical section of this newsletter.

Rule Preproposal — July 6

Rule Proposal — Aug. 18

Public Hearings:

• Sept. 21, L&I Central Ofc., Tumwater
• Sept. 22, Moses Lake L&I Service Location

Rule Adoption — Oct. 20

Effective Date — Nov. 22

This rulemaking incorporates the two changes included in the emergency rule that was adopted Aug. 2, 2004, which are outlined below.

Electrical Emergency Rule Adopted and Effective Aug. 2

The emergency rule removed the requirement to purchase a permit for maintenance work only.

Also, there was an omission in the last electrical rulemaking relating to the instructors who could provide continuing education. The current rule states the instructors must be a general administrator or have the general master electrician's certificate. This rule change allows any electrician with a certificate to teach continuing education classes; this includes all administrators and all electricians, including specialty electricians.

Boiler

Rule Proposal — April 6

Rule Adoption — Aug. 17

Public Hearing:

• Sept. 20, Tacoma L&I Service Location

Rule Adoption — Oct. 19

Effective — Jan. 1, 2005

The purpose of these rules changes is to address actions and requests of the Board of Boiler Rules.

Prevailing Wage — Asphalt scope of work

Rule Preproposal — March 2

Rule Proposal — June 1

Public Hearing — July 7

Rule Adoption — Aug. 3

Effective — Sept.15

This rulemaking clarifies the scope of work description for Outside Telephone Line Construction. The adopted changes specify that asphalt and other road repair and replacement are not covered under this scope of work description.

Elevator

Effective — Aug. 20

This rulemaking accomplished the following:

• Clarified that special purpose and residential elevators are exempt from the installation and operation requirements relating to hall buttons, and
• Added a new section for requirements that apply to hydraulic elevators without safety bulkheads.

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

Issue 5, Summer 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