Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) expansion project, at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg, was completed using registered apprentices for at least 15 percent of the work. As such, it met the apprentice utilization requirements of Initiative 937, passed in 2006 to encourage the use and expansion of renewable energy and the training of Washington's workforce in green jobs.

"I'm proud to say Washington is a leader in training the next generation of skilled workers in the growing field of renewable energy," said Melinda Nichols, manager of L&I's apprenticeship program, which oversees training standards of registered apprenticeship. "During these tough economic times when many people are out of work, Washington was able to put 25 registered apprentices to work building skills for their future and the future of our state. "

The use of apprentices on the Wild Horse expansion project qualifies PSE for a 20 percent renewable energy credit multiplier, which helps PSE meet renewable-energy generation requirements.

PSE presented records to L&I proving registered apprentices were employed during the expansion, and the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council certified that the project met the 15 percent apprentice labor standard.

"It was a high priority for us to hire apprentices and ensure the project was eligible for the energy credit multiplier," said Paul Wiegand, senior vice president of Power Generation for PSE. "This is a great example of how one voter initiative helped a business grow, helped the environment, and helped put apprentices to work. "

PSE is the Pacific Northwest's largest utility producer of wind energy. The recent 22-turbine expansion of the Wild Horse wind-power operation boosted the facility's output to 273 megawatts, enough to serve the electricity needs of 70,000 homes. PSE also owns and operates the 157-megawatt Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility in Columbia County.

"It was great for our apprentices because they learned new energy technologies and processes," said Erich Smith, apprenticeship coordinator for Ironworkers Local No. 86. "Erecting 280-foot wind towers was certainly a new experience for these apprentices. They will be well prepared when the next wind turbine project comes along. "

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For media information: Selena Davis, L&I, 360-902-6593.

The mill,which operates on 320 acres and has more than 150 workers, successfully completed L&I's VoluntaryProtection Program (VPP), a challenging audit that recognizes companies demonstrating asignificant commitment to safety. The VPP is a program of the federal Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OHSA), but in Washington state it is administered by L&I's Division ofOccupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

MichaelSilverstein, DOSH assistant director, will present a VPP flag and certificateto the mill at a ceremony to be held at the Darrington Community Center. TheHampton Lumber Mill will be designated as a STAR site, signifying it hasachieved the highest VPP level.

"The wholemill is very excited to be receiving the VPP STAR status," said plant managerDavid Roane. "We entered into this process to find the gaps in our safetyprogram, to get better at protecting our people and to improve our safetyperformance. The recognition that we have accomplished these goals is verysatisfying."

To evenparticipate, companies must have an excellent safety record. The Hamptonmill previously won its company "President's Award for Safety in 2006 and 2007. As part of the VPP certificationprocess, a team of L&I safety consultants visited the mill and interviewedmore than 80 employees, reviewed company safety programs and observed milloperations.

"Lumber millshave many hazards, including heavy equipment and machinery, which makes it allthe more impressive that the Hampton Lumber Mill was able to earn this safetyaward," Silverstein said. "The company has clearly demonstrated that injuriescan be prevented if managers and employees work together and dedicatethemselves to the mission of workplace safety."

The mill waspurchased by Portland-based Hampton Affiliates in 2002 and consists of a logyard, saw mill, kilns, a planer, shipping area and a cogeneration plant, whichprovides steam power for the kilns and powers a generator that feedselectricity to the Snohomish County Public Utility District.

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For media information: Hector Castro, L&I, 360-902-6043.

Broadcast version: TheDepartment of Labor and Industries will present a safety award to a Darringtonlumber mill today. The Hampton Lumber Mill, which employs 150 workers, hasearned STAR status in the Voluntary Protection Program, a federal safetyprogram administered in Washington state by L&I. To earn this honor, themill had to undergo a rigorous safety audit that included extensive site visitsby L&I safety consultants. To learn more about the Voluntary ProtectionProgram, visit www dot Lni dot wa dot gov.

TACOMA - More than 400 employers, educators and policymakers are expected to attend the first Pacific Northwest Apprenticeship Education Conference May 19 and 20 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.

Registered apprenticeship is a way to earn money while learning an occupation through on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. Apprenticeships cover a variety of occupations, including manufacturing, building trades, cosmetology, and health care.

Conference attendees will learn how to begin, operate and promote registered apprenticeship programs through a variety of workshops.

"This conference does more than promote the value of registered apprenticeships, it also gives employers the tools they need to successfully operate a registered apprenticeship program," said Melinda Nichols, apprenticeship program manager at the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), which assists apprenticeship sponsors with local administration of their training programs. "Industries and the trades need to attract and retain qualified candidates so they don't face a shortage of skilled workers."

Breakout sessions will include:

• How to begin a registered apprenticeship program.
• Workforce development for educators advocating apprenticeship to students.
• How to keep your apprenticeship program in compliance.

"Apprenticeships are a great option for career development," Employment Security Department (ESD) Commissioner Karen Lee said. "Employees get the experience they need for stable careers with family wage jobs. "

For a conference agenda, visit apprenticeshipconference. com. Registration for the conference has closed.

The Pacific Northwest Apprenticeship Education Conference is a joint effort between the U. S. Department of Labor, L&I, ESD and the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council. It is made possible by a grant from the U. S. Department of Labor and sponsor donations.

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For media information: Selena Davis, L&I, 360-902-6593.

Broadcast version: More than 400 people are expected to attend the first Pacific Northwest Apprenticeship Education Conference May 19 and 20 in Tacoma. The conference is for apprenticeship program leaders, policymakers, trade groups, non-profit leaders, and educators. Melinda Nichols, apprenticeship program manager at the Department of Labor and Industries, says the conference will give employers the tools they need to operate a registered apprenticeship program. For more information, visit apprenticeshipconference dot com.

Statistics like these from the Departmentof Labor & Industries (L&I) are reminders that teens, parents andemployers all need to focus on providing safe workplaces for young workers,particularly as the summer hiring season nears.

"Teens are eager to work and may notquestion a workplace situation that doesn't seem right, so we must do all wecan to create safe workplaces for them," said Michael Silverstein, assistantdirector of L&I's Division of Occupational Safety & Health.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has declared May "Safe Jobs forYouth Month. "

Silversteinnoted that L&I is in the third year of a program to raise awareness amongteens of the importance of workplace safety. The "Injured Young Worker SpeakersProgram" bringsworkers who were severely injured on the job as teenagers to high schoolsaround the state.

Creating safe workplaces for teensincludes providing adequate training, following laws that prohibit teens fromoperating dangerous equipment and, in general, giving them extra supervisionand lots of repetition, particularly when they're new to the job. Other tipscan be found at www. TeenWorkers. Lni. wa. gov.

Employers who hire teens must obtain aminor work endorsement on their master business license, as well as a parentauthorization form for the job assignments and hours the teen will be working. Parents can find out if a business has a permit to hire minors by checking "How to hire aTeen. "

Here are some of the workplace rulescovering teen workers:

• Ingeneral, 14- and 15-year-olds may perform lighter tasks such as office work,cashiering and stocking shelves, bagging and carrying groceries, janitorial andgrounds maintenance (without operating power mowers or cutters), and foodservice that does not involve cooking or baking duties. They are not permittedto work on a construction site.
• Work assignments for 16- and 17-year-olds can be less restrictive. Their jobs may include such things as cooking, baking, landscaping, windowwashing (no more than 10 feet off the ground), maintenance and repair, andcertain jobs in construction.
• Fourteen- and 15-year-olds can work up to 40 hours a week whileschool is not in session; 16- and 17-year-olds can work up to 48 hours a week.
• Generally, if safety equipment other than a hard hat, eyeprotection or gloves is required, then it's not an appropriate job for minors.
• All minors are prohibited from working with powered equipment suchas meat slicers and forklifts, explosives, pesticides and most chemicals.
• In agricultural jobs, additional restrictions apply to minorsunder age 16.
• Except for minors who work on their family's farm, child laborrules apply to those working for their family's business.

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Media information: Xenofon Moniodis,L&I public affairs, 360-902-6458.

BP Cherry Point, near Blaine, is the largest petroleum refinery in Washington, processing 225,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Theinspection focused on the hydrocracker process unit, the refinery's largest process unit, which refines low-grade oil into gasoline. Twelve of theviolations involve regulations governing the management of highly hazardouschemicals, which are part of what is commonly referred to as the Process SafetyManagement Standard. One of the violations involves a failure to provide propermachine guarding.

The12 process safety management problems included failure to routinely inspect ormaintain safety control devices, such as pressure safety valves; inaccurate oroutdated instrument diagrams; and failure to record whether identified safetyhazards were corrected. One violation noted that there were 38 instances ofsafety recommendations for which there was no record they were everimplemented.

“The safety violations our inspectors uncovered at BP wereproblems similar to those we’ve uncovered in all of the refineries we haveinspected in Washington,” said Michael Silverstein, assistant director forL&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “Petroleum refineriesare inherently risky work environments, and following the safety regulations isthe key to preventing explosions and other life-threatening events. ”

The inspection was part of a program begun in 2007 by the federal OccupationalSafety and Health Administration to inspect the nation’s petroleumrefineries. The National Emphasis Program followed several events in therefinery industry, including the 2005 explosion at a BP America refinery inTexas that killed 15 people and injured 170 others.

L&I hasnow inspected all five refineries in the state:

• U. S. Oil and Refinery in Tacoma.
• Shell Oil Equilon in Anacortes.
• Tesoro in Anacortes.
• Conoco Phillips in Ferndale, which volunteered to be inspected prior to the start of the National Emphasis Program.
• BP Cherry Point near Blaine.

TheTesoro refinery in Anacortes experienced an explosion April 2 that ultimatelykilled seven workers. L&I is continuing to investigate that incident.

BP has 15 days from the date it received the citation to file an appeal.

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For media information: Hector Castro, L&I, 360-902-6043.

"We know how time sensitive building schedules are for contractors, so we're hoping builders will plan for longer wait times," said Ron Fuller, head of L&I's electrical program.

Fuller noted that there will be times when inspectors will be able to complete work within 24 hours. For example, some inspections will be scheduled together based on proximity, resulting in faster service to some jobs sites, as well as reduced transportation costs. Emergency situations also will be taken into consideration.

Since March 2009, the slowdown in construction activity has forced L&I's self-funding electrical-inspection program to cut 59, or about a third, of its inspector and support positions - the last 19 positions dropping off April 1. Permit sales revenue has declined 24 percent in the past two years.

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For media information: Dana Botka, L&I, 360-902-4216.

L&I industrial hygiene and safety inspectors spent 15 days at the Moses Lake site between Sept. 28 and Nov. 12 last year. The inspection included several on site evaluations; interviews with managers, employees and technical workers; and a review of certain documents and records. Ultimately, the inspectors found 10 serious violations and four general violations at REC Silicon.

"REC Silicon has made meaningful progress over the past few years in improving safety at this site. However, important work remains to be done if employees are to be fully protected from the significant hazards associated with the chemical processes," said Michael Silverstein, assistant director of L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health. "The company was very cooperative during our inspection and we expect that cooperation will continue. "

The inspection of REC Silicon was part of a national effort by federal and state safety and health agencies to inspect workplaces that have the potential to release highly hazardous chemicals. At the REC Silicon facility in Moses Lake, the chemicals in use include hydrogen, an explosive gas, and silane, which can ignite upon contact with the air.

L&I inspectors noted that the company has taken measures to mitigate the risks of working with these materials, including creating a process safety management team, but their efforts have not yet been enough to come into compliance with safety regulations.

Among the violations inspectors found were:

• Failure to inspect and test the mechanical integrity of valves and other critical instruments on production equipment in a manner consistent with good engineering practices or the manufacturer's recommendations.
• A pressure-relief valve that did not vent to a safe location away from workers.
• Inadequately maintained respirators.
• A lack of documented follow-up on safety incidents or Management of Change procedures, which are written plans for handling modifications to machinery making up the production process.
• A lack of written protocols directing workers on how to raise safety issues with managers.

REC Silicon has 15 days from the receipt of the citation to appeal.

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For media information: Hector Castro, L&I, 360-902-6043.

Broadcast version: The Department of Labor and Industries has fined a semiconductor manufacturer in Moses Lake $57,000 for 14 safety violations. Inspectors visited REC Silicon for 15 days between September and November last year, finding problems with the mechanical integrity of valves and other critical equipment, safety protocols, the maintenance of breathing equipment and an unsafe pressure-relief valve for a container holding a caustic and flammable material. L and I said the company was cooperative during the inspection and had made strides in improving safety at the plant, but still had work to do. The inspection was part of a national effort to check up on companies that work with highly hazardous materials. To read more about the citation, visit Lni dot wa dot gov.

In an effort to counter consumer fraud and to give residents a way to report crooked businesses, the Department of Labor & Industries, the Department of Revenue and several other agencies have established a Web site, www. suspectfraud. com, that allows consumers to easily check to see if a business is registered before they sign on the dotted line. The site also allows consumers to report cases of suspected fraud.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed March 7-13 as Washington Consumer Protection Week in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week. Information on the national program is available at http://www. consumer. gov/ncpw/.

While the vast majority of businesses are fair and honest, fly-by-night roofers, movers and other con artists, many of them not even registered in the state to do business, are always out there trying to make a fast buck by doing poor jobs or gouging customers.

"Knowledge is the best defense, and state agencies have combined forces to make it easier than ever for the public to 'check with the state before it's too late,'" Gregoire said.

Links on www. suspectfraud. com allow consumers to check whether businesses are registered and licensed with the state and to report them if they are not. Consumers also can check to see if a registered business owes the state taxes, has had complaints filed against it, or is the subject of state enforcement actions.

Visitors also can verify the legitimacy of charity fund-raisers and report fraud involving a variety of industries, such as banks, child support, insurance, unemployment and workers' compensation, vehicle titles, and medical services. Links also are provided to assistance for fraud victims.

To report fraud, or for more information about how to combat fraud and abuse in the workers' compensation system, call 1-888-811-5974 or go to www. Fraud. Lni. wa. gov.

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For media information: Selena Davis, 360-902-6593.

The deaths occurred at worksites across Washington state andincluded occupations as varied as police officers and firefighters, cabdrivers, construction workers, loggers and sales clerks. Most of those killedwere men, but five women also died on the job.

“The events of the past few weeks, with six refinery workerskilled in Anacortes and 29 miners killed in West Virginia, are sad remindersthat lives continue to be lost to workplace hazards,” said L&IDirector Judy Schurke. “This ceremony is our opportunity to honor those who have diedon the job, and it should serve as a reminder that more needs to be done toimprove workplace safety for everyone. ”

The ceremony begins at 2 p. m. at L&Iheadquarters in Tumwater, 7273 Linderson Way S. W. It is Washington’sofficial Worker Memorial Day commemoration and is one of many held incommunities across the nation. The agency has hosted a ceremony for 17 yearsrecognizing fallen workers.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is scheduled to attend, as well asrepresentatives from the Association of Washington Business, the WashingtonState Labor Council, and the Washington Self-Insurers Association.

Relatives of all the workers who died in 2009 have been invitedand several have indicated they plan to attend. The observance is open to thepublic. Centerpiece of the ceremony is a reading of the names of the fallen workers,accompanied by bell ringers from the Tumwater Fire Department.

Following the ceremony, the families will be invited toparticipate in ringing the bronze bell that makes up the Worker Memorialsculpture on the grounds of the L&I building.

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For media information: Hector Castro, L&I,360-902-6043.

Broadcast version: TheDepartment of Labor and Industries will host its annual Worker Memorial Dayceremony on Wednesday, April 28, at the agency’s building in Tumwater, south ofOlympia. The service will honor the 73 Washington State residents who died in2009 due to work-related accidents or illnesses. The service begins at 2 p. m. and includes a formal reading of the names of the fallen workers. Severalfamilies of the deceased are expected to attend.

“Thisworkshop will save you time, money and trouble down the road, and take themystery out of the various things an employer does with L&I,” said Ron Langley, L&I’s small-business liaison.

“Employer’sIntroduction to L&I” is a free workshop geared both for new businessesand those hiring for the first time.

Theworkshop will cover employers’ rights and responsibilities and provide anoverview of the services L&I provides. Employers who attend will also learnabout workplace safety and health requirements, claims management strategies,risk management, quarterly reporting requirements and wage and hour laws.  

Workshops currently are planned for eight cities statewide:

• Tukwila– 9 a. m. -noon April 21, 12806 Gateway Dr. S.
• Spokane– 9 a. m. -noon May 11, 901 N. Monroe St. , Suite 100.
• Tacoma– 1-3:30 p. m. May 11, Wheelock Library, 3722 N. 26th St.
• Vancouver– 9 a. m. -noon June 9, 312 SE Stonemill Dr. , Suite 120.
• Everett– 9-11:30 a. m. June 10, 729 100th St. SE.
• Yakima– 9 a. m. -noon June 30, 15 W. Yakima Ave. , Suite 100.
• Bellingham– 9-11:30 a. m. July 22, 1720 Ellis St. , Suite 200.
• MountVernon – 9-11:30 a. m. Sept. 9, 525 E. College Way, Suite H.

Visit www. Workshops. Lni. wa. gov to registerfor the workshop or learn about future workshop dates.

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For media information: HectorCastro, L&I, 360-902-6043.

Broadcast version: TheDepartment of Labor and Industries is now offering a workshop designed for newbusinesses or those hiring for the first time. The free workshop coverseverything from workplace safety rules to guidance filling out quarterly reports. The three-hour sessions are scheduled at L and I offices throughoutthe state. For the schedule, visit www dot Workshops dot Lni dot wa dot gov.

"All of us at L&I are deeply saddened by the loss of life and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of those who have died and those who have been seriously injured," said L&I Director Judy Schurke. "We're going to take a hard look at the circumstances to determine whether there were violations of the law and what actions can be taken to prevent a future occurrence. "

The L&I team investigating the explosion consists of three inspectors and a compliance manager familiar with the plant from previous inspections. The team also has technical expertise in Process Safety Management (PSM). PSM focuses on a refinery's development and implementation of systems designed to reduce or mitigate the potential for catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals.

Although L&I has opened an inspection, the team will not have access to the site until receiving clearance from incident command officials.

The investigation is expected to be complex, involving interviews, reviews of records, analysis of the scene, and laboratory work. The investigation could take up to six months.

In addition, the L&I inspection team will work closely with the U. S. Chemical Safety Board, a federal agency that investigates serious chemical accidents, and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

L&I most recently inspected Tesoro in 2009, citing the company for 17 "serious" process safety management violations, with fines totaling $85,700. A "serious" violation is cited when there is the potential for death or serious physical injury from the violation.

L&I reached a settlement in November with Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co. that required them to correct hazards identified in the L&I inspection and to hire a third-party consultant to do an independent process-safety audit and to outline methods to correct safety issues identified by the audit.

It is not known at this time whether any of the hazards noted in the previous inspection were involved in today's incident at the plant.

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For media information: Hector Castro, 360-902-6043

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Contact: Hector Castro, L&I communications, 360-902-6043