Status
L&I is pursuing rulemaking to prevent workplace musculoskeletal disorders to implement RCW 49.17.520.
L&I published the 2025 report of industries and risk classification eligible for rulemaking. The lists are available under the "Industry & Risk Classification Lists" section below.
In October 2024, L&I selected Scheduled Airline – Ground Crew Operations, Risk Class 6802 for the first rulemaking. In November, 2024 L&I announced that the second rulemaking will be for Fulfillment Centers, Risk Class 2103, with the formal rulemaking process to start at a future date.
Learn more about our rulemaking process and terminology.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the leading type of occupational injury in Washington state. They account for at least one-third of workers' compensation claims that result in time-loss or wage replacement.
In 2023, the legislature passed RCW 49.17.520, allowing L&I to adopt rules to prevent WMSDs in industries or risk classes that see workers compensation claims for WMSDs at least two times the overall state rate. Only one rule for either an industry or risk classification can be adopted within a 12-month period. The effective date of any WMSD rule must be at least 120 days after adoption of the rule and the first rule cannot take effect until July 1, 2026.
RCW 49.17.520 directs L&I to publish an annual report of industries and risk classifications eligible for rulemaking, along with a high priority list of those most likely to be selected for new rules each November.
In October 2024, L&I selected Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crews, Risk Class 6802, for the first rulemaking effort and began the formal rulemaking process.
With the publication of the 2024 report, L&I announced that the second rulemaking will be for Fulfillment Centers, Risk Class 2103.
The November 2025 report includes 27 high priority industries and risk classes with the top 5 identified but will not select a third rulemaking effort.
RCW 49.17.520 requires publication of an annual list of industries and risk classification eligible to be covered by new rules.
| Action Item | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 eligible industry and risk class list report | November 30, 2025 |
| Annual eligible industry and risk class list report posted | By November each year |
| Select first industry or risk class for rulemaking See Scheduled Airline – Ground Crew Operations, Risk Class 6802 |
October 29, 2024 |
| Effective date of the first rule | TBD, At least 120 days after adoption no earlier than July 1, 2026 |
Only one rule for either an industry or risk classification can be adopted within a 12-month period.
The Legislature directed L&I to publish every year a list of eligible industries and risk classes, along with a high priority list of those most likely to be selected for new rules. L&I will also focus efforts to provide technical assistance to lower the rate of WMSDs to the industries and risk classes on the high priority list.
See questions and answers about the list of industries and risk classifications (November, 2025).
2025
- 2025 Eligible Industry and Risk Class List Report November, 2025
2025 Background Data
Compensable WMSD claims from 2019 through 2023 for all industries and risk classifications:
- By NAICS five-digit industry code, all industries
- By NAICS four-digit industry group code, all groups
- By NAICS three-digit subsector code, all subsectors
- By four-digit risk class code, all classes.
2024
- 2024 Eligible Industry and Risk Class List Report November, 2024
2023
High priority industry data summary fact sheets.
- Scheduled Airline Ground Crew
- Personal de tierra de aerolíneas comerciales (Spanish version)
- Fulfillment Centers
- Centros de distribución (Spanish version)
- Grocery Wholesalers
- Comercio al por mayor de comestibles (Spanish version)
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Centros de enfermería especializada (Spanish version)
- Wholesale Stores
- Comercio al por mayor (Spanish version)
Ergonomics rulemaking resources
- Get help with workplace Ergonomics by scheduling a Consultation visit.
- Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5217 summary
- Sprains & strains prevention
- Learn more about the Ergonomics Process and how to prevent Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) in your workplace
- WMSD Claim Tracking
Staff Contacts
For questions about this rulemaking project contact RulemakingErgo@Lni.wa.gov
For general questions about ergonomics or to schedule a no-charge ergonomics consultation, contact Ergonomics@Lni.wa.gov
Get updates via email
If you would like to receive email updates regarding this and other rulemaking projects and future stakeholder meetings, please sign up for our email updates.