To join on your computer or mobile app (Zoom):
https://lni-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/87608567723?pwd=cXdRQzVyaHdrR2V0alhOTGdPaEt6QT09

To join by phone (audio only):
1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 876 0856 7723
Passcode: 01697458

The hearing will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue until all oral comments are received.

L&I encourages the submittal of written comments, due by 5:00 p.m. on June 15, 2022.

Public hearings held virtually have proven effective in allowing greater public access, eliminating the burden of physical travel, and maintaining public safety. Accordingly, this public hearing will not be held in person.

The purpose of this rulemaking is to amend chapter 296-360 WAC in response to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1097 (ESHB 1097). ESHB 1097 became law in 2021 and made changes to the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) discrimination protections under RCW 49.17.160, which go into effect on July 1, 2022. The updates to chapter 296-360 WAC include: Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has the authority to issue administrative orders when investigations of discrimination complaints find sufficient evidence that an employer violated RCW 49.17.160; A process for issuance of citations and notices of assessments to order relief to the worker and penalties to the employer, and a process for employer and employee appeals of the citation and notice of assessment; The time allowed to file a safety and health discrimination complaint has changed from 30 to 90 days; and The definition of “discrimination” has been amended for clarification. Additionally, chapter 296-360 WAC has also been updated to align with Washington state case law specific to “substantial factor” causation test, where a violation of RCW 49.17.160 occurs when an employee’s engagement in protected activity was a substantial factor in the employer’s decision for the adverse action. Previously, certain provisions within the rule were based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) interpretative rules applying federal case law to discrimination under Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). The change to apply Washington case law is necessary to ensure that DOSH applies the appropriate standard used by Washington courts in its investigations and orders issued under ESHB 1097.