Electrical apprentice connects Clark College students to real-world application at Camas Mill

Clark College instructor Chris Lewis recently brought his Motor Control class on a Camas Mill tour at the urging of student Dan Fletcher, a 4th year Electrical apprentice in the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) program sponsored by G-P Camas and the AWPPW, Local 5. The tour followed the paper making process through the mill showing related applications of electronics along the way, both in the direct manufacturing of paper products and in the many support applications that are critical in the operations at Camas. Assisting Dan with the tour group were Mark Pierce, Electrical Maintenance Supervisor, and Gary Garrison who is a journeyman Electrician and a JATC member. Gary also serves on the Clark College Electrical Advisory Board.

Diesel and heavy equipment apprenticeship at Bates gets donation from Pierce Transit for alternate fuels technology studies

Pierce Transit has announced it will fund student scholarships and help develop a curriculum to introduce hybrid / hydrogen / alternate fuel technology training to Bates Technical College. Pierce Transit also has donated $42,000 in equipment to the new program, two Detroit Diesel engines that use electronically controlled fuel systems designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. The high tech program allows students to prepare for apprenticeship employment in the diesel and heavy equipment industry.

Update: How many apprentices “earn while they learn” in Washington?

The number of students enrolled in apprenticeship programs stood at 12,465 in 2004. Out of that total, 2,054 were women and 2,602 were from minority groups. In the last quarter of 2004 alone, 147 apprentices received completion certificates and 605 were registered into approved, registered apprenticeship programs.

There are now 244 registered programs, including 109 Group-Joint programs, 79 Individual Joint, 35 plant, 17 Group non-joint and 12 Individual Non-Joint. In the last quarter of 2004, 64 training agents were added.

Apprenticeship program required for Tumwater School District construction contract bidders

The Tumwater School Board is now requiring businesses bidding for school construction projects to be participants in both the state-approved Apprenticeship Program and the New Market Skills Center Program. The board hopes the requirement helps provide more career opportunities for the graduates at New Market who wish to enter the Apprenticeship Program.

New Council Members: In October 2004, David Johnson was re-appointed to the WSATC as an employee representative and Dave D'Hondt was appointed as an employer representative.

Check out the new Apprenticeship Catalog: We’ve mailed approximately 2,000 copies and an online version available on the Apprenticeship Publications page. It is updated almost weekly.

Highlights from the apprenticeship programs:

Western Washington Sheet Metal/Lake Washington Technical College announces its first Associate Arts graduate. Jeff Tessmer graduated from WWSMJATC in 2002 and just recently graduated from LWTC with an AA in Applied Sciences. This degree was made possible by a special agreement designed by apprentices who want access to advanced degrees.

Olympia Firefighters Apprenticeship Committee — Active Again

The Olympia Firefighters Apprenticeship Committee has just updated its program standards and registered two new apprentices in January 2005 using a college tuition waiver.

The following programs/occupations were approved at the October 2004 WSATC quarterly meeting:

New boilers program newsletter has useful technical updates

The Boiler/Pressure Vessel program has completed its second 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 sets agenda for 2005

The Board of Boiler Rules has begun the process to standardize the rules for design, construction and inspection of Hobby Boilers.

These miniature boilers typically are scale models of steam locomotives built to run on a 7 ½ gauge railroad track costing thousands of dollars. The Board will work closely with the Kitsap Live Steamers, a group in Kitsap County that operates a railroad at the South Kitsap Community Park.

The Board Chairman also assigned several rule changes to the members for clarification.

L&I publishes pamphlet on how to “Keep Your Water Heater Safe”

This pamphlet describes what causes a water heater to explode, warnings, and how you can minimize potential danger by performing a simple annual test on your water heater. House hold water heaters are so common and trouble-free that we often take their safe operation for granted. Yet the potential for a serious accident does exist when water heaters are not routinely inspected.

For your free copy and additional information, call the Boiler/Pressure Vessel Section: 360-902-5270 or 360-902-4983.

L&I’s Consumer outreach heads for the Spring garden shows

Our consumer outreach and education efforts are continuing at 15 home and garden shows throughout Washington this year. At each show, we offer information about hiring registered contractors, how to avoid liens, and what consumers can do if they are harmed by a contractor. In the first two months of 2005 alone, we spoke with more than 5,000 consumers.

Budget request takes aim at the underground economy in construction

As part of the 2005-2007 biennial budget request, we are seeking six additional inspection staff to specifically target contractors and electricians who are working without proper certifications, bonding and insurance. The inspectors also would target those failing to pay workers’ comp premiums. As honest employers in the construction industry know, cheating the system gives a contractor an unfair competitive disadvantage and leaves customers and workers vulnerable. Inspectors would strategically patrol the state, take enforcement action and follow-up to ensure ongoing compliance.

Contractor Training Day planned for Tri-Cities!

We’ve had great feedback from those who have already attended our popular Contractor Training Days. These are free, all-day events that 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 and more.

We are now taking reservations for the next contractor training event:

May 6: Tri-Cities (please register in advance)

For more information, call Shari Purves-Reiter, Outreach and Education Manager Phone: 360-902-4733 E-mail: purs235@lni.wa.gov.

Plumber Alert: New continuing education requirements beginning July 1, 2005

Beginning July 1, 2005, all journeymen, residential specialty plumbers, and plumber trainees will be required to obtain eight hours of continuing education in order to renew their certifications. These eight hours must be completed at the time of renewal. Make sure you attend approved continuing education classes.

The following year, beginning July 1, 2006, all journeyman, residential specialty plumbers and plumber trainees will be required to obtain 16 hours of continuing education within a two-year renewal cycle. (Trainees must complete eight hours per year.) Continuing education credits may be selected from the following categories. All of these required courses must be taken within the renewal cycle:

• 8 hours of currently adopted plumbing code.
• 4 hours of basic electrical education.
• 4 hours of industry-related education.

The web site for current approved classes is www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Plumbing/TestCert/ContEd/

Electricity is hazardous!

Just how hazardous is explained in the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s latest report. In 2001, 327 people died from electrocution in the U.S. — on farms, in homes, and at commercial sites. In 1999, 27,600 fires were caused by the failure of electrical insulation, causing an estimated $310 million in damage. These numbers don’t even include the injuries and other types of fires that begin in electrical systems.

Electrical permits and inspections are essential to safety. As you know, the people who count on safe, quality electrical work are not only those who are now occupying a building — but those who will be there in the future. L&I is on track this year to provide 180,000 electrical permits and perform 300,000 electrical inspections across the state. In the past six months, L&I inspectors have issued nearly 22,000 corrections on electrical work that, had they not been repaired, would pose a serious threat of fire, injury, or death.

Electrical Program Trains Electrical Workers & Contractors

Informational meetings draw 300

We recently completed a round of 11 meetings with more than 300 electrical contractors, electricians, and other electrical stakeholders across the state. Chief Inspector, Ron Fuller, and Technical Specialists, Dave Myers and Doug Erickson traveled to Tukwila, Everett, Mt. Vernon, Tacoma, Bremerton, Vancouver, Yakima, Kennewick, Pullman, and Spokane, in addition to their home base in Tumwater. The three said they talked generally about the electrical program, answered questions and listened to questions and comments. The comments tended to focus on:

• The need for L&I to communicate effectively with customers and provide as much continuing education as possible for electricians and contractors.
• Their support for L&I’s efforts to control the underground economy and identify businesses that circumvent L&I’s rules to gain an unfair market advantage.

As a result, the electrical program is now looking for better ways to improve the delivery of continuing education training for the National Electrical Code and state laws. The program also continues to put an emphasis on meeting Electrical Program compliance targets for unlicensed electrical contractors, uncertified electricians, and those entities who fail to obtain a required electrical permit.

L&I’s popular electrical continuing education classes draw crowds

The Electrical Program has finished another round of continuing education classes across the state on the National Electrical Code and the electrical laws and rules. Since the program began, hundreds of electricians, city inspectors and L&I inspectors have been trained. In March, the program will be offered NEC classes in Tumwater, Tukwila, Everett, Kennewick, Moses Lake, and Spokane for 8 hours of CEU credit. To apply for the program, send us an e-mail at: ElectricalProgram@LNI.wa.gov

Proposed revisions to the Electrical Safety Standards, Administration and Installation Rules scheduled for April adoption

WAC 296-46B clarifies and implements the rules for the requirements of Chapter 19.28 RCW, Electricians and Electrical Installations statute. The WAC contains information about: installation requirements, fees, penalties, scopes of work, licensing/certification requirements, Electrical Board rules, and electrical testing laboratory requirements. Take a look at the proposed changes presented to the Electrical Board by going to: www.LNI.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/electrical. Adoption is scheduled for late April, with an effective date of June 30.

Jack Day is L&I’s new Chief Elevator Inspector

L&I welcomes Washington’s new Chief Elevator Inspector, Jack Day, who began his new duties in January. He replaces departing Dottie Stanlaske. (See story below.) Jack is a two-year veteran of the Missouri Department of Safety, where he worked directly with the Chief Inspector to further establish the state’s Department of Elevator Safety. Before that, he worked for 12 years for Otis Elevators, where he was a supervisor and territory manager. Jack has been a Quality Elevator Inspector (QEI) since 2001, certified through the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International (NAESAI). He served for six years in the U.S. Navy and holds a degree in Electronics. Before taking his current job, he worked briefly at L&I as an elevator technical specialist.

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, 2004.

The first elevator mechanic and contractor exam was held in Tumwater on Oct. 9, 2004 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 2004, 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.

Prevailing wage surveys in progress

Due to a low response rate, we have extended our prevailing wage survey deadline to April 15, 2005. After that time, the We are tabulating our new prevailing wage survey data, and will publish any changes on Aug. 1, 2005. They will take effect on Aug. 31, 2005.

The following wages have been surveyed:

• 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.)

L&I conducts Forks safety check of brush pickers

We’ve beefed up our efforts to protect the many low-wage, immigrant workers in the $150 million Northwest floral greens industry. In the Forks area, a recent, coordinated sweep by L&I, private forest landowners, the U.S. Forest Service, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Olympic National Parks Service identified many brush pickers who were being transported in unsafe vehicles without safety belts. L&I is focusing on the safety of vehicles used by brush pickers in Western Washington in the wake of a 2004 crash that left five brush pickers dead. We also collected information about the workers’ jobs in an effort to make sure eligible pickers are covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

Minimum Wage

Washington’s minimum wage increased on Jan. 1 to $7.35 an hour, up 19 cents from the 2004 minimum wage of $7.16 an hour. L&I recalculates the state’s minimum wage each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This annual inflation adjustment to the minimum wage is required by Initiative 688, approved by Washington voters in 1998.

L&I welcomes members of its new Employment Law Advisory Committee (ELAC)

L&I’s new Employment Law Advisory Committee meeting was held on January 14, 2005 to review pending request legislation and proposed policy changes. Advisory committee members include four representatives each from business and labor. The committee meets on a quarterly basis to review legislative issues, and changes in laws and regulations. Its next meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2005 in Tukwila.

Members are:
Carolyn Logue, National Federation of Independent Businesses
Clif Finch, Washington Food Industry
Rick Anderson, Sakuma Brothers
Kris Tefft, Association of Washington Businesses
Joseph Crump, United Food & Commercial Workers State Council
Rebecca Saldana, Service Employees Int’l Union
Dave Johnson, WA State Building & Construction Trades Council
Jeff Johnson, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Rich Ervin, Program Manager, L&I Employment Standards
Mike Ratko, Operations Manager, Meeting Facilitator, L&I

Alternate members are:
Dan Fazio, Washington Farm Bureau
Robby Stern, WA State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Marcus Courtney, WashTech/Communications Workers of America #37083
Mitch Seaman, WA State Building and Construction Trades

L&I Staff:
Carlena Anderson, Program Secretary
Janis Kerns, Employment Standards Technical Specialist

New Toll-Free Line for Employment Standards

Have a complaint or question for us but don’t want to pay long-distance charges? You may now call us toll-free by calling: 1-866-219-7321

Need automatic notification of wage & hour and/or prevailing wage changes?

We recently established two new e-mail mailing lists that you can subscribe to if you want wage and hour and prevailing wage-related information.

1. Changes to wages, overtime, family care, teen workers, and other wage and hour related information. Sign up by going to: http://listserv.wa.gov/archives/lni-wage-and-hour.html
2. Changes to prevailing wage. Sign up by going to: http://listserv.wa.gov/archives/lni-prevailing-wage.html

Online Prevailing Wage Application system use soars —
It gets an upgrade too!

In January 2005, nearly 70 percent of those who filed prevailing wage intents and affadavits did it with us online. As we add new services, we regularly test our web pages and applications with real-life customers like you with a goal of making it easier to do business with us.

• Available to more businesses: More businesses than ever can now file their intents and affadavits online. Now non-construction trades companies (such as businesses that perform janitorial services, trucking, surveying, custom manufacturing, and other non-licensed trades services) can take advantage of the service.
• Improved search: Search features for finding and printing intents and affidavits have been expanded and improved.
• Easier log-ons: Our new system connects your logon-ID and password with your contractor registration and/or electrical contractor’s license. The system will allow you to specify up to two contractor license identifications per logon-ID and password. This ensures that companies that are both registered construction and licensed electrical contractors can identify both licenses for purposes of filing online.
• Required UBIs: The new system requires use of a Uniform Business Identifier when you request a logon-ID and password to file online.
• More information: We’re now allowing you to see denials of intents or affidavits that are filed by companies not appropriately licensed.
• For companies not required to have a license:
  If you have already signed up for a logon-id and password, you will need to reapply so that we will be able to verify that you are not required to be licensed. For more information, contact Mike Fuller at 360-902-5337 or fulm235@LNI.wa.gov.
• For contactors who must be licensed:
  If you have already signed up for a logon-id and password and did not include your license number(s), you will need to do so the next time you login to the system.
• If you are currently registered/licensed and would like to sign-up to use this system you can do so right now by clicking on the following link: https://fortress.wa.gov/lni/pwiareg/Signup.asp.

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

L&I continues its work to help agricultural employers understand hazards faced by teenaged workers

We're working with a small group of berry and tree fruit growers on ways to prevent injuries and illnesses among teenaged agricultural workers. For more information, click on the document link below.

Pilot workshop on Safety Training for Employers and Supervisors of Adolescent Farmworkers (PDF 17 KB)

Events

L&I Contractor Training Days:

May 6, 2005, Richland
Hammer Training Facilities

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

Proposed rule changes, public hearings

Factory Assembled Structures

Increasing the fees 3.03 percent, which is the Office of Financial Management’s maximum allowable fiscal growth factor rate for fiscal year 2005. The fee increase is necessary to help cover the cost of ongoing services provided by the Factory Assembled Structure program

Public hearing: 1 p.m.
May 10, 2005
901 North Monroe Street #100
Spokane, WA

Public hearing: 1 p.m.
May 12, 2005
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA

Apprenticeship-Geographical expansion

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

Adoption — May 2005
Effective — June 15, 2005

Electrical

Clarifying rules in Chapter 296-46B WAC

Chapter 296-46B WAC contains rules relating to installation requirements, fees, penalties, scopes of work, licensing/
certification requirements, Electrical Board rules, and electrical testing laboratory requirements. It was presented to the Electrical Board Jan. 27, 2005.

Adoption — Late April 2005
June 30: Effective Date

Plumber Certification

Medical gas piping rules revised to bring state rules up to current national standards. We also will be increasing the fees by 3.03 percent, which is the Office of Financial Management’s maximum allowable fiscal growth factor rate for the fiscal year 2005. The fee increase is necessary to help cover the cost of ongoing services provided by the plumbers program.

Rule proposal: March 1, 2005

Public hearing: 10 a.m.
April 29, 2005
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA

Adoption: May 17, 2005
Effective: June 30, 2005

Boilers

There are currently two rulemaking projects for the boilers programs:

1.) Fee increase:
A 3.03 percent fee increase, which is the Office of Financial Management’s maximum allowable fiscal growth rate factor for fiscal year 2005, may be necessary to help offset inflation and to maintain the operational effectiveness of the boiler program.

Rule Proposal: April 5, 2005
Public hearing:
May 18, 2005
950 Broadway #200
Tacoma, WA

Rule Adoption: May 25, 2005
Effective: June 30, 2005

2.) Annual Review:
Rules changes address actions and requests of the Board of Boiler Rules, among them, a rule granting Chief Boiler Inspector authority to cite inspection agencies that chronically submit inadequate documentation. The boiler rules will be clarified and updated as recommended.

Rule proposal: August 3, 2005

Public hearing:
September 21, 2005
950 Broadway #200
Tacoma,WA

Rule Adoption: November 1, 2005
Effective: January 1, 2006

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 7, Spring 2005

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.

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

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