Source: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-900&full=true
Timestamp: 2019-08-24 06:57:41
Document Index: 364144944

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Chapter 296-900 WAC:
296-900-099 Definitions.
296-900-100 Scope.
296-900-110 Variances.
296-900-11005 Applying for a variance.
296-900-11010 Interim orders.
296-900-11015 Renewing a temporary variance.
296-900-11020 Changing a variance.
296-900-11025 Variance hearings.
296-900-120 Inspections.
296-900-12005 WISHA inspections.
296-900-12010 Inspection techniques.
296-900-12015 Complaints.
296-900-130 Citation and notice.
296-900-13005 Citation and notice.
296-900-13010 Copies of future citation and notices.
296-900-13015 Posting citation and notices.
296-900-140 Monetary penalties.
296-900-14005 Reasons for monetary penalties.
296-900-14010 Base penalties.
296-900-14015 Base penalty adjustments.
296-900-14020 Increases to adjusted base penalties.
296-900-150 Certifying violation corrections.
296-900-15005 Certifying violation correction.
296-900-15010 Violation correction action plans.
296-900-15015 Progress reports.
296-900-15020 Timeliness of violation correction documents.
296-900-15025 Inform employees about violation correction.
296-900-15030 Tag moveable equipment.
296-900-160 More time to comply.
296-900-16005 Requesting more time to comply.
296-900-16010 Post WISHA's response to requests for more time.
296-900-16015 Correction date hearing requests.
296-900-16020 Post WISHA's violation correction hearing notice.
296-900-16025 Violation correction hearing procedures.
296-900-16030 Post the violation correction hearing decision.
296-900-170 Appeals.
296-900-17005 Appealing a citation and notice (C&N).
296-900-17006 Stay of abatement date request.
296-900-17010 Appealing a corrective notice of redetermination (CNR).
296-900-17015 Posting appeals.
296-900-175 Safety and health investment projects.
296-900-17505 Scope and purpose.
296-900-17515 Eligibility.
296-900-17520 Advisory committee.
296-900-17525 Application.
296-900-17530 Review and approval of proposals.
296-900-17535 Monitoring.
296-900-17540 Suspension or revocation of funding.
296-900-17510 Definitions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and 2011 c 37. WSR 12-03-090, § 296-900-17510, filed 1/17/12, effective 3/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and 2007 c 522. WSR 08-03-025, § 296-900-17510, filed 1/8/08, effective 2/8/08.] Repealed by WSR 17-18-075, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060.
296-900-180 Definitions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 15-13-049, § 296-900-180, filed 6/9/15, effective 9/1/15; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-180, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.] Repealed by WSR 17-18-075, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060.
296-900-099
Affected employees. Employees who could be one of the following:
(a) Exposed to unsafe conditions or practices.
(b) Affected by a request for, or change in, a variance from WISHA requirements.
Applicant. The entity submitting an application and formal proposal for a safety and health investment projects award.
Assistant director. The assistant director for the division of occupational safety and health (DOSH) at the department of labor and industries or his/her designated representative.
Base penalty. The penalty amount calculated for a violation by considering either specific statutory penalty amounts or the gravity of the violation.
Board. The board of industrial insurance appeals.
Certification. An employer's written statement describing when and how a citation violation was corrected.
Citation. See citation and notice.
Citation and notice. Issued to an employer for any violation of WISHA safety and health requirements. Also known as a citation and notice of assessment, or simply citation.
Correction action plans. Your written plans for correcting a WISHA violation.
Correction date. The date by which you must meet the WISHA requirements listed on either a:
(a) Citation and notice (C&N); or
(b) A corrective notice of redetermination (CNR).
Corrective notice of redetermination (CNR). Issued by WISHA after WISHA has reassumed jurisdiction over an appealed citation and notice.
Designated representative. Any of the following:
Division or DOSH. The division of occupational safety and health, Washington state department of labor and industries.
Documentation. Material that an employer submits to prove that a correction is completed. Documentation includes, but is not limited to, photographs, receipts for materials and labor.
Failure to abate (FTA). A violation that was cited previously which the employer has not fixed.
(a) Citation and notice.
(b) Corrective notice of redetermination.
(c) Decision and order from the board of industrial insurance appeals.
(d) Denial of petition for review from the board of industrial insurance appeals.
(e) Decision from a Washington state superior court, court of appeals, or the state supreme court.
Funding cycle. How frequently safety and health investment project awards are given.
Gravity. For purposes of calculating a penalty means the amount calculated by multiplying a violation's severity rate by its probability rate.
Imminent danger violation. Any violation resulting from conditions or practices in any place of employment, which are such that a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm, immediately or before such danger can be eliminated through the enforcement procedures otherwise provided by the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.
Inpatient hospitalization. Formal admission to the inpatient service of a hospital or an equivalent medical facility on an emergent basis for a work-related injury, or illness.
Interim order. An order allowing an employer to vary from WISHA requirements until a permanent or temporary variance is granted.
Medical aid fund. Industrial insurance funds established in chapter 51.44 RCW.
Milestones. Critical points of achievement for the safety and health investment projects, showing progress toward project completion. Milestones are interim accomplishments that define project progress.
Monetary penalties. Fines assessed against an employer for violations of safety and health requirements.
Movable equipment. A hand-held or nonhand-held machine or device that:
(a) Is powered or nonpowered.
(b) Can be moved within or between worksites.
Must. Means mandatory.
Permanent variance. Allows an employer to vary from WISHA requirements when an alternate means, that provides equal protection to workers, is used.
Probability. A number that describes the likelihood of an injury, illness, or disease occurring, ranging from 1 (lowest) to 3 (highest).
Product. Any of the following that are developed as the result of a safety and health investment project: Written materials; manufactured materials; designs; equipment; programs; services; workplace changes; or other results of any kind, tangible or intangible.
Reassume jurisdiction. WISHA has decided to provide the employer with an informal conference to discuss their appeal.
Recipient. An agency, firm, organization, individual or other legal entity receiving project award funds from the safety and health investment projects.
Repeat violation. A violation where the employer has been cited one or more times previously for a substantially similar hazard, and the prior violation has become a final order no more than three years prior to the employer committing the violation being cited.
Serious violation. When there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from one of the following in the workplace:
(a) A condition that exists.
(b) One or more practices, means, methods, operations, or processes that have been adopted or are in use.
Severity. For purposes of calculating a penalty means the most serious injury, illness, or disease that could be reasonably expected to occur, ranging from 1 (lowest) to 3 (highest), because of a hazardous condition.
Temporary variance. Allows an employer to vary from WISHA requirements under certain circumstances.
Variance. Provides an approved alternative to WISHA requirements to protect employees from a workplace hazard. Variances can be permanent or temporary.
WAC. An acronym for Washington Administrative Code, which are rules developed to address state law.
You. An employer.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-099, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17.]
296-900-100
This chapter applies to the following requirements and information regarding administration of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), chapter 49.17 RCW:
(1) Employer requests for using an alternative to WISHA requirements.
(2) Workplace inspections conducted by WISHA.
(3) Citations and penalties for violations of WISHA safety and health requirements.
(4) How to respond to actions that WISHA may take when requirements have been violated.
(5) Employer correction of cited violations, and notification to WISHA when the corrections are made.
(6) Employer obligations to inform employees.
(7) Reporting alleged safety and health hazards.
(8) Appeal and hearing processes for employers and employees.
(9) Safety and health investment projects (SHIP).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-100, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and 2007 c 522. WSR 08-03-025, § 296-900-100, filed 1/8/08, effective 2/8/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-100, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-110
WAC 296-900-11010
Renewing a temporary variance
WAC 296-900-11015
Changing a variance
WAC 296-900-11020
WAC 296-900-11025
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-110, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-110, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-11005
296-900-11010
An interim order allows an employer to vary from WISHA requirements until a permanent or temporary variance is granted.
(1) You must request an interim order if alternate methods of protecting employees are needed while waiting for a permanent or temporary variance.
An interim order may be requested at the same time a permanent or temporary variance is requested, or anytime after that.
(2) A review of the request for an interim order.
(a) Contact the employer or others who may have the needed information.
(b) Visit the workplace after contacting the employer to make arrangements.
(c) Deny the request if the employer does not provide information needed to make a decision.
(3) A decision at least twenty-one calendar days from when the request was posted for employees.
The twenty-one-day period allows employees time to request a hearing on your temporary variance renewal. See Variance hearings, WAC 296-900-11025.
(4) A written decision either granting or denying the interim order request.
(a) If granted, the decision will include all of the following:
(i) The requirement for which the interim order applies.
(ii) The locations where the interim order applies.
(iv) The effective date of the interim order.
(v) An expiration date for the interim order.
(b) If denied, the decision will include:
1. WISHA's decision to grant or deny an interim order request will not affect the decision on a permanent or temporary variance request.
2. WISHA may choose to issue an interim order in response to a variance request, even when the interim order was not specifically requested.
3. Interim orders are effective until they are revoked, or until the variance request is granted or denied.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-11010, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-11010, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-11015
Renewing a temporary variance.
Temporary variances can be renewed up to two times, for up to one hundred eighty days each time.
(1) You must apply for a temporary variance renewal at least ninety days before the temporary variance expires.
(2) You must send a letter, explaining why more time is needed to fulfill the current requirements.
(3) A review of the temporary variance renewal request.
(c) Deny your request if you do not provide information needed to make a decision.
(5) A written decision either granting or denying the temporary variance renewal request.
(i) The requirements for which the temporary variance applies.
(ii) The locations where the temporary variance applies.
(iv) The effective date of the temporary variance.
(v) An expiration date for the temporary variance.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-11015, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-11015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-11020
Changing a variance.
(1) You, your employees, or their representatives may request changes to variances in writing as follows:
(a) For a permanent variance only after it has been in effect for at least six months.
(b) For a temporary variance, only when renewing it.
1. After six months, WISHA may initiate changes to a variance if they appear to be warranted.
2. Employers can decide at any time to follow the original requirement, instead of the requested variance.
(2) A review of your request to change a variance.
(c) Deny your request for a change if you do not provide information needed to make a decision.
The twenty-one-day period allows employees time to request a hearing on your request to change a variance. See Variance hearings, WAC 296-900-11025.
(4) A written decision either granting or denying the change in variance.
(i) The requirements for which the variance applies.
(ii) The locations for which the variance applies.
(iv) The effective date of the change in variance.
(v) An expiration date of the variance, if applicable.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-11020, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-11020, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-11025
Employers, affected employees, or employee representatives may request a hearing on any of the following:
1. Permanent or temporary variance requests.
2. Changes to existing variances.
(1) You and your affected employees must do all of the following if requesting a variance hearing:
(a) Put the request in writing and sign it.
(b) Make sure the request is posted or delivered to the department within twenty-one calendar days from the variance application date, or renewal request date.
(c) Send the written request to WISHA, using one of the following means:
Fax to: 360-902-5438
Take to any L&I office.
(2) You must immediately do all of the following when you receive a notice of the hearing from WISHA:
(a) Post a copy of the notice on the safety bulletin board.
(b) Give a copy of the notice to affected employees and employee representatives.
(c) Use any other appropriate means for notifying employees who may not receive notices posted on the safety bulletin board. For example, provide a copy to a designated representative or the safety committee.
(3) WISHA will do both of the following after receiving a request for a hearing on a variance, change of variance, or temporary variance renewal:
(a) Within ten days, issue a notice advising all interested parties listed on the application that they have the option to participate in the hearing.
(b) Provide you with a notice of the hearing at least twenty calendar days before the hearing date.
(4) A hearing for the variance or variance change will be conducted as follows:
(a) A WISHA representative will explain WISHA's view of the request for a variance or any proposed change to a variance.
(b) Employers, employees, or employee representatives will then have an opportunity to explain their views and provide any relevant documents or information.
(5) Information gathered at the hearing will be used to make a decision about whether to grant or deny the request for a variance or change in variance.
1. WISHA may record a variance hearing.
2. Employers, employees, or employee representatives may request copies of recordings or transcripts of variance hearings at cost.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-11025, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-11025, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-120
WISHA inspections
WAC 296-900-12005
WAC 296-900-12010
WAC 296-900-12015
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-120, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-120, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-12005
WISHA inspections.
(1) WISHA conducts the following types of programmed inspections:
(a) Hazardous workplaces.
WISHA identifies hazardous workplaces using objective criteria and inspection-scheduling systems that may include any of the following factors:
(i) Type of industry.
(ii) Injury and illness data that identifies hazards.
(iii) Employer's industrial insurance experience.
(iv) Number, type, and toxicity of contaminants in the workplace.
(v) Degree of exposure to hazards.
(vi) Number of employees exposed.
(vii) Other factors, such as history of employee complaints.
WISHA periodically reviews the scheduling systems and may adjust the type or significance of each criteria.
(b) High hazard industries that include the following:
(ii) Asbestos renovation and demolition.
(iv) Electrical utilities and communications.
(v) Logging.
(vi) Maritime.
(2) WISHA conducts the following types of unprogrammed inspections of workplaces that may be in violation of WISHA safety or health requirements or chapter 49.17 RCW, Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act. These inspections may focus only on certain areas or processes in a workplace or, depending on initial findings, may be expanded to include the entire workplace. Unprogrammed inspections may occur because of:
(a) Complaints from current employees or employee representatives who believe they have been exposed to a hazard because of a violation.
(b) Referrals from anyone, including former employees, who reasonably believes that workers under WISHA jurisdiction are being, or have been, exposed to a hazard because of a violation.
(c) Workplace deaths, catastrophic events, or serious injury or illness.
(d) A reason to believe that employees may be in imminent danger of serious injury or death.
(e) Follow-up inspections to verify that hazards identified in a previous inspection have been corrected.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-12005, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-12005, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-12010
During an inspection, WISHA staff may:
(1) Take samples, photographs, videotapes, or audiotapes.
(2) Conduct tests or interviews.
(3) Ask employees to wear sampling devices.
(4) Privately question, on or off the worksite, any:
(a) Employer.
(b) Employer representative.
(d) Operator.
(f) Employee representative.
(5) Employ any other reasonable investigative techniques.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-12010, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-12010, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-12015
(1) Employees or employee representatives may file a written complaint if they believe they have been exposed to a hazard that is a violation of WISHA safety and health requirements.
(2) After receiving a written complaint from an employee or employee representative, WISHA reviews the allegations and responds according to Table 2, WISHA Responses to Employee Complaints.
WISHA will take the following actions:
The complaint is within WISHA jurisdiction and an inspection does not appear to be needed at this time
Call the employer to discuss the complaint
Fax or mail a complaint notification letter to the employer. Before the complaint is faxed or mailed, the following names will be removed unless specific permission is given to include them:
The name of the person submitting the complaint
The names of any employees identified in the complaint
Evaluate the employer's response, and do one of the following:
Close the complaint because the issues have been addressed, and send a copy of the employer's response to the person filing the complaint
If the complaint is closed and additional information is received from the person filing the complaint disputing the employer's written response, WISHA may schedule an inspection
If the person who filed the original complaint requests in writing that WISHA review a decision not to conduct an inspection, WISHA will review the decision and notify the person in writing of the results
If the person requesting the review is not satisfied with the results of the review, they may request a second review by the assistant director or designee
The complaint is within WISHA jurisdiction and an inspection needs to be conducted
Send a letter to the person filing the complaint with inspection results
The complaint is not within WISHA jurisdiction
Send a written response to the person filing the complaint explaining the matter is not within WISHA jurisdiction
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-12015, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-12015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-130
Citation and notice.
To notify employees when a citation and notice is received.
WAC 296-900-13005
Copies of future citations and notices
WAC 296-900-13010
Posting citation and notices
WAC 296-900-13015
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-130, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 07-03-163, § 296-900-130, filed 1/24/07, effective 4/1/07; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-130, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-13005
(1) A citation and notice is a document issued to an employer notifying them of:
(a) Inspection results.
(b) Any specific violations of WISHA safety and health requirements.
(c) Any monetary penalties assessed.
(d) Employer certification of correction requirements.
(e) WISHA will mail a citation and notice to you as soon as possible but not later than six months following any inspection or investigation.
(2) If violations are found, the citation and notice will include:
(a) A description of violations found.
(b) The amount and type of assessed penalties.
(c) The length of time given to correct the violations not already corrected during the inspection.
(3) If no violations are found, a notice of inspection results will be sent stating that no violations were found or penalties assessed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-13005, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-13005, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-13010
Copies of future citation and notices.
Employees or their representatives wishing to receive copies of citation and notices during the next twelve months must:
(1) Submit a request for copy of citation and notice form to the following:
P.O. Box 44638
Olympia, WA 98504-4638
A request for copy of citation and notice form can be obtained by:
1. Calling 360-902-5553.
2. Contacting the local L&I office.
(2) WISHA may decide who will receive copies of the citation and notices if more than one employee or employee representative requests a copy.
(3) WISHA may deny a request for copies of citation and notices if the person filing the request is not an employee or employee representative.
(4) If WISHA grants the request for copies of citation and notices, the employee or employee representative will:
(a) Receive an approval document from WISHA.
(b) Receive all citation and notices issued to that employer for the next twelve months.
(c) Continue receiving citation and notices for an additional twelve months if a one-year extension is requested and approved.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-13010, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-13010, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-13015
Posting citation and notices.
(1) You must immediately notify employees of a citation and notice by posting it and any correspondence related to an employee complaint on the safety bulletin board for three working days or until all violations are corrected, whichever time period is longer.
(2) You must use any other appropriate means to notify employees who may receive notices posted on the safety bulletin board.
Examples of other appropriate means include sending a copy by mail or electronically to any of the following:
(a) A designated employee representative.
(b) Safety representatives.
(c) The safety committee.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-13015, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-13015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-140
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 19-01-097, § 296-900-140, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/21/19; WSR 15-13-049, § 296-900-140, filed 6/9/15, effective 9/1/15; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-140, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-14005
Reasons for monetary penalties.
• Right to know (RTK)—SDS, RCW 49.70.190.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 19-01-097, § 296-900-14005, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/21/19; WSR 15-13-049, § 296-900-14005, filed 6/9/15, effective 9/1/15; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-14005, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-14010
Base penalties.
The minimum penalty for a standard serious violation = one hundred dollars.
The maximum statutory penalty for a serious violation will be the maximum civil penalty established by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration under 29 C.F.R. 1903.15 or seven thousand dollars, whichever is more.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 19-01-097, § 296-900-14010, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/21/19; WSR 15-13-049, § 296-900-14010, filed 6/9/15, effective 9/1/15; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-14010, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-14015
296-900-14020
296-900-150
Certifying violation corrections.
(1) To certify that violations to safety and health requirements have been corrected.
(2) To submit, if required:
(a) Additional information.
(b) Correction action plans.
(c) Progress reports.
(3) To comply with correction due dates.
(4) To tag cited moveable equipment to warn employees of a hazard.
(5) To inform affected employees that each violation was corrected.
Certifying violation correction
WAC 296-900-15005
Violation correction action plans
WAC 296-900-15010
WAC 296-900-15015
Timeliness of violation correction documents
WAC 296-900-15020
Inform employees about violation correction
WAC 296-900-15025
Tag moveable equipment
WAC 296-900-15030
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-150, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 07-03-163, § 296-900-150, filed 1/24/07, effective 4/1/07; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-150, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-15005
Certifying violation correction.
A correction date is the date by which you must meet the WISHA requirements listed on either a: Citation and notice (C&N) or a corrective notice of redetermination (CNR).
(1) You must certify in writing within ten calendar days following the correction date shown on the C&N that each violation has been corrected. Include the following:
(a) Employer name and address.
(b) The inspection number involved.
(c) The citation and item numbers which have been corrected.
(d) The date each violation was corrected and the method used to correct them.
(e) A statement that both:
(i) Affected employees and their representatives were informed that each violation was corrected; and
(ii) The information submitted is accurate.
(f) Employer's signature or the signature of employer's designated representative.
Certification is not required if the WISHA compliance officer indicates in the C&N, or a reassumption hearings officer indicates in a CNR, that they have already been corrected.
(2) You must submit additional documentation for willful or repeated violations, demonstrating that they were corrected. This documentation may include, but is not limited to:
(a) Evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment.
(b) Photographic or video evidence of corrections.
(c) Other written records.
(3) You must submit additional documentation for serious violations when required in the C&N or CNR.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-15005, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-15005, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-15010
Violation correction action plans.
(1) You must submit a written violation correction action plan within twenty-five calendar days from the final order date when the citation and notice or corrective notice of redetermination requires it. Include all of the following in the violation correction action plan:
(a) Identification of the violation.
(b) The steps that will be taken to correct the violation.
(c) A schedule to complete the steps.
(d) A description of how employees will be protected until the corrections are completed.
(2) WISHA will notify you in writing only if your plan is not adequate, and describe necessary changes.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-15010, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-15010, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-15015
(1) You must submit written progress reports on corrections when required in the citation and notice (C&N) or corrective notice of redetermination (CNR), and briefly explain the:
(a) Status of each violation.
(b) Action taken to correct each violation.
(c) Date each action has or will be taken.
(2) WISHA will state in the C&N or CNR if progress reports are required, including:
(a) Items that require progress reports.
(b) Date when an initial progress report must be submitted. The initial progress report is due no sooner than thirty calendar days after you submit a correction action plan.
(c) Whether additional progress reports are required, and the dates by which they must be submitted.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-15015, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-15015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-15020
Timeliness of violation correction documents.
WISHA will determine the timeliness of violation correction documents by reviewing the following:
(1) The postmark date for documents sent by mail.
(2) The date received by other means, such as personal delivery or fax.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-15020, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-15020, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-15025
296-900-15030
Tag moveable equipment.
(1) You must tag moveable equipment that has been cited to warn employees if a hazard has not been corrected, as follows:
(a) Attach a warning tag or a copy of the citation to the equipment's operating controls or to the cited component.
(b) For hand-held equipment, tag it immediately after you receive a citation.
(c) For other equipment, tag it before moving it within the worksite or between worksites.
The tag should warn employees about the nature of the violation and tell them where the citation is posted.
For a sample tag that meets this requirement, go to helpful tools, sample tag for cited moveable equipment, in the resources section of this chapter.
(2) You must make sure that the tag or copy of the citation attached to movable equipment is not altered, defaced, or covered by other materials.
(3) You must keep the tag or copy of the citation attached to movable equipment until one of the following occurs:
(a) Violations have been corrected and all certification documents have been submitted to WISHA.
(b) Cited equipment is permanently removed from service.
(c) The final order from an appeal vacates (voids) the violation.
Safety standards for construction work, chapter 296-155 WAC, has information on warning tags. You can use warning tags that meet those requirements instead of the warning tags required by this rule.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-15030, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-15030, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-160
More time to comply.
To submit timely requests when more time is needed to correct violations. To post requests for more time for employees.
WAC 296-900-16005
Post WISHA's response to requests for more time
WAC 296-900-16010
Correction date hearing requests
WAC 296-900-16015
Post WISHA's violation correction hearing notice
WAC 296-900-16020
Violation correction hearing procedures
WAC 296-900-16025
Post the violation correction hearing decision
WAC 296-900-16030
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-160, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-160, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-16005
Requesting more time to comply.
You can request more time to correct violations if they:
1. Have made a good faith effort to correct the violation.
2. Have not corrected the violation because of factors beyond their control.
(1) You must submit any requests for more time to correct violations in writing. Requests must be received or postmarked before midnight of the correction date shown on the citation and notice (C&N) or corrective notice of redetermination (CNR), and include:
(a) The business name.
(b) The address of the workplaces.
(c) The citation and the correction dates to be extended.
(d) The new correction date and length of correction period being requested.
(e) A description of the actions that have been, and are being, taken to meet the correction dates in the C&N or CNR.
(f) Factors preventing correction of violations by the date required.
(g) The means that will be used to protect employees while the violation is being corrected.
(h) Certification that the request for correction date extension has been posted, and if appropriate, certification that a copy was delivered to affected employees or their representatives.
(i) Employer's signature or the signature of the employer's representative.
(j) Date.
(2) You must submit requests by one of the following methods:
(a) First class mail, postage prepaid to any L&I office.
(b) Take to any L&I office.
(c) Fax to the number shown in the C&N.
For a list of the local offices, see the resources section of the Safety and health core rules, chapter 296-800 WAC.
(3) WISHA may accept late requests if they are both:
(a) Received within five days following the related correction date; and
(b) Accompanied by your written statement explaining the exceptional circumstances that caused the delay.
WISHA does not accept late requests when compliance activity has already started.
(4) WISHA may respond to telephone requests or personal conversations asking for more time to comply if timely, and followed up in writing within twenty-four hours.
(5) WISHA may conduct an investigation before making a decision whether to grant a request for more time.
(6) WISHA will make a decision whether or not to grant the employer more time. Once made, the decision remains in effect unless an employee or employee representative requests a hearing.
(7) WISHA will keep the original correction date in effect unless a notice granting more time is sent.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-16005, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-16005, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-16010
Post WISHA's response to requests for more time.
(1) You must post notices from WISHA approving additional time to correct citations, with the related citation, immediately upon receipt.
(2) You must keep the notices posted until one of the following occur:
(a) The correction date has passed.
(b) A hearing notice is requested and posted.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-16010, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-16010, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-16015
Correction date hearing requests.
1. Affected employees or their designated representatives may request a hearing if they disagree with WISHA's decision to grant an employer more time to correct a violation.
2. Employers may request a hearing if WISHA denies their request for more time to correct a violation.
You, your employees, or their representatives must send requests for hearings, if desired, in writing no later than ten calendar days after the issue date of the notice granting more time to correct a violation to:
Attn: WISHA Appeals
Fax to: 360-902-5581
Take to any department service location.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-16015, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-16015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-16020
Post WISHA's violation correction hearing notice.
You must post WISHA's hearing notice or a complete copy until the hearing is held, along with the:
(1) Citation containing the correction date for which more time was requested.
(2) Department notices issued in response to the employer's request for more time.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-16020, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-16020, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-16025
Violation correction hearing procedures.
(1) After receiving a hearing request, the assistant director for WISHA services will appoint someone from WISHA to act as a hearings officer.
(2) The hearings officer:
(a) Will send a hearing notice to the employer and employee at least twenty days before the hearing date that includes all of the following:
(i) A statement that all interested parties can participate in the hearing.
(ii) The time, date, and place of the hearing.
(iii) A short and clear explanation why a hearing was requested.
(iv) The nature of the proceeding, including the specific sections of the statute or rule involved.
(v) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing will be held.
(b) May discuss the material to be presented to determine how the hearing will proceed.
(3) An assistant attorney general may be present at the hearing to give legal advice to the hearings officer.
(4) The hearing will be conducted by either:
(a) The hearings officer; or
(b) The assistant attorney general, if requested by the hearings officer.
(5) After the hearing, WISHA will issue an order that either affirms or modifies the correction date that caused the hearing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-16025, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-16025, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-16030
Post the violation correction hearing decision.
You must post a complete, unedited copy of the order affirming or modifying the correction date as soon as it is received, along with the applicable citation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-16030, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-16030, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-170
To post information regarding appeals in a conspicuous area where notices to employees are normally posted.
WAC 296-900-17006
WAC 296-900-17010
WAC 296-900-17015
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-170, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 2011 c 91. WSR 12-02-055, § 296-900-170, filed 1/3/12, effective 7/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-170, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-17005
296-900-17006
Stay of abatement date request.
(1) Employers may request stay of abatement dates for any violation classified as serious, willful, repeat serious, or failure to abate serious. Stay requests must be made in the notice of appeal under WAC 296-900-17005.
(3) DOSH will review requests for stay of abatement dates for each violation requested. DOSH will stay the abatement date when an appeal is filed for any serious, willful, repeat serious, or failure to abate serious violation where DOSH cannot determine that the preliminary evidence shows a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to workers.
(6) If a stay of abatement date is denied in the CNR and the employer appeals the CNR further, the request for a stay of abatement date must be renewed according to WAC 296-900-17010.
(7) There is no requirement to abate a violation for which a stay request is pending.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 2011 c 91. WSR 12-02-055, § 296-900-17006, filed 1/3/12, effective 7/1/12.]
296-900-17010
Appealing a corrective notice of redetermination (CNR).
1. Employers may appeal CNRs.
2. Employees who could be affected by a CNR, or their designated representatives, may appeal abatement dates.
3. Employers must renew requests to stay abatement dates if a stay request is denied when they appeal CNRs.
(1) You must appeal a CNR, if desired, in writing within fifteen working days after it was received to the:
(2) You must send a copy of the appeal to the CNR to the:
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-17010, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 2011 c 91. WSR 12-02-055, § 296-900-17010, filed 1/3/12, effective 7/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-17010, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-17015
Posting appeals.
You must immediately post notices and information related to any appeal or stay of abatement date request in the same place where DOSH citation and notices (C&Ns) are posted. These notices and information include:
(1) The notice of appeal, until the appeal is resolved.
(2) Notices about DOSH reassuming jurisdiction, and any extension of the review period until the end of review period.
(3) A notice of an informal conference until after the conference is held.
(4) A corrective notice of redetermination for as long as C&Ns are to be posted.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-17015, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 2011 c 91. WSR 12-02-055, § 296-900-17015, filed 1/3/12, effective 7/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-17015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]
296-900-175
Safety and health investment projects.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and 2007 c 522. WSR 08-03-025, § 296-900-175, filed 1/8/08, effective 2/8/08.]
296-900-17505
296-900-17515
(1) All projects must address the needs of employers and employees covered by the department's state fund.
(2) Projects must have clearly identified:
(a) Objectives and work plan;
(b) Products; and
(c) Criteria for evaluating the success of the project.
(3) Awards may be granted to any agency, firm, organization, individual or other legal entity such as, but not limited to, the following:
(b) Business associations;
(c) Employers (including but not limited to private, public, nonprofit, or self-insured employers if collaborating with medical aid fund employers);
(e) Labor unions;
(f) Employee organizations;
(g) Joint labor and management groups;
(h) Educational institutions in collaboration with state fund employer and employee representatives;
(i) Others deemed appropriate by L&I.
(4) SHIP funds may not be used for:
(a) Lobbying or political activities;
(b) Supporting, opposing, or developing legislative or regulatory initiatives;
(c) Any activity not designed to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, or fatalities; or
(d) Reimbursing employers for the normal costs of complying with safety and health rules.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and 2011 c 37. WSR 12-03-090, § 296-900-17515, filed 1/17/12, effective 3/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and 2007 c 522. WSR 08-03-025, § 296-900-17515, filed 1/8/08, effective 2/8/08.]
296-900-17520
296-900-17525
296-900-17530
(1) DOSH staff will:
(a) Review applications to make sure they meet application criteria;
(b) Conduct a substantive evaluation of eligible applications;
(c) Forward applications along with scored evaluations and funding recommendations to the assistant director for DOSH and a designated grant-review committee.
(2) The designated grant-review committee will:
(a) Review project applications and the accompanying DOSH evaluations and recommendations;
(b) Evaluate each project application and provide concurrence or dissension with DOSH evaluation and funding recommendations;
(c) Prioritize and select, by a majority vote of the eligible voting members, those projects recommended for funding;
(d) Forward funding recommendations to the SAC and the assistant director of DOSH.
(3) The assistant director of DOSH, after consulting with the SAC, will make a final decision on project approval and funding.
(a) Safety and health projects, regardless of size, will be based on the ability of the project to foster accident prevention through cooperation between employers and employees or their representatives; the likelihood of reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, or fatalities; and the ability of the applicant to achieve project goals. Assessment will be based on an objective scoring method developed by the department.
(b) Return-to-work project approval, regardless of size, will be based on the ability of the project to foster return-to-work through cooperation between employers and employees or their representatives, the likelihood of increasing return-to-work, and the ability of the applicant to achieve project goals. Assessment will be based on an objective scoring method developed by the department.
(c) If the assistant director rejects an application the grant-review committee has recommended for funding or approves an application the grant-review committee recommended for denial, the assistant director will provide a written explanation to the SAC. The SAC may request reconsideration of such decision by a majority vote of the voting members, with a minority report allowed. The assistant director will reconsider the decision in consultation with the director.
(4) Applicants will be notified in writing when their application is approved or not approved for funding.
(5) Upon approval of an application and before project activities begin, the department and the applicant will enter into a written agreement. The agreement will:
(a) Include the approved application packet in its entirety, which will outline the project scope and timeline, activities, work plan, milestones, and products; and
(b) Spell out the terms and conditions governing the project, project participants, and the products resulting from the project.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and 2011 c 37. WSR 12-03-090, § 296-900-17530, filed 1/17/12, effective 3/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and 2007 c 522. WSR 08-03-025, § 296-900-17530, filed 1/8/08, effective 2/8/08.]
296-900-17535
DOSH staff will monitor projects for compliance with award terms and achievement of approved project milestones and/or outcomes.
(1) Milestones are intermediate targets or goals that are defined in the project applications. Ongoing funding will be tied to the achievement of approved milestones (including but not limited to accounting for grant funds).
(2) Outcomes are the final products that will be produced by the project.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and 2011 c 37. WSR 12-03-090, § 296-900-17535, filed 1/17/12, effective 3/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and 2007 c 522. WSR 08-03-025, § 296-900-17535, filed 1/8/08, effective 2/8/08.]
296-900-17540
Suspension or revocation of funding.
(1) The assistant director of DOSH may suspend or revoke funding for a project if advised by the SHIP program staff or the SAC that:
(a) The recipient is not in compliance with project award terms;
(b) There are unapproved funding expenditures; or
(c) There are compelling and substantive reasons.
(2) Any suspension or revocation will:
(a) Be in writing and delivered by either personal service or certified mail. The suspension or revocation will be effective upon service or five days after being mailed by certified mail;
(b) Include the reasons for suspension or revocation; and
(c) Be subject to appeal as described in chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act and contain an explanation of how to appeal the department's decision.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and 2011 c 37. WSR 12-03-090, § 296-900-17540, filed 1/17/12, effective 3/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.210, and 2007 c 522. WSR 08-03-025, § 296-900-17540, filed 1/8/08, effective 2/8/08.]