Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-800 - Safety and health core rules › Section 296-800-100 - Introduction The safety and health core rules: Your foundation for a safe and healthful workplace

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This book contains basic safety and health rules that affect
				all employers and should cover almost everything small, nonmanufacturing
				employers need for a safe and healthful workplace. These core rules include
				requirements for your accident prevention program, personal protective
				equipment, first aid, and basic electrical rules.
Note: You may need to comply with other safety
						  and health rules. For a complete list of these rules go to
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Rules/Find/RuleName/
.
What are L&I, WISHA and DOSH?
The department of labor and industries (L&I) is a state
				agency that provides many different services:
* The division of occupational safety and health (DOSH) is
				responsible for workplace safety and health, including inspections and
				enforcement, consultation, technical assistance, training, education and
				grants.
* Workers' compensation (or industrial insurance), including
				claims management, rate setting, medical payments, and research.
* Specialty compliance services, including contractor
				registration, electrical inspections, boiler and elevator inspections,
				apprenticeship programs and employment standards.
Many of these services are available from L&I's regional
				offices. Go to this web site for the most current list.
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/ContactInfo/OfficeLocations/
.
In 1973, the legislature passed the Washington Industrial
				Safety and Health Act (WISHA) see Revised Code of Washington (chapter 49.17
				RCW). WISHA requires employers to provide safe and healthful workplaces for all
				employees. It gives L&I/DOSH the responsibility to establish and enforce
				workplace safety and health rules. These rules are the Washington
				Administrative Code (WAC).
How does DOSH work?
The Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) covers
				nearly all employers and employees in Washington, including employees who work
				for the state, counties, and cities. L&I inspectors within DOSH enforce
				safety and health rules by inspecting workplaces without advance notice
				including investigations of work-related deaths, injuries, and employees'
				complaints. When DOSH inspectors find a violation in a workplace, they issue a
				citation to the employer and a penalty may be attached. If you have questions
				about whether you are covered by WISHA, call 1-800-4BE SAFE (1-800-423-7233) or
				a local office of L&I. http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/ [File Link Not
				Available] ContactInfo/OfficeLocations/.
What is OSHA and its relationship to DOSH?
The U.S. Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health
				Administration (OSHA) in 1971 to develop and enforce workplace safety and
				health rules throughout the country. States may choose to run their own safety
				and health programs as long as they are at least as effective as OSHA.
				Washington state has chosen to run its own program and most employers in the
				state, therefore, are subject to enforcement by L&I and not by federal
				OSHA.
In Washington state, OSHA covers workplaces with federal
				employees, nonfederal employees working on federal reservations and military
				bases, employees working on floating worksites (floating dry docks, fishing
				boats, construction barges), and employees working for tribal employers on
				tribal lands.
Does WISHA apply to you?
WISHA applies to almost every employer and employee in
				Washington. WISHA applies to you if:
* You hire someone to work for you as an employee, including
				workers from a temporary agency.
* You are hired to work for someone as their employee.
* You own your own business or you are a corporate officer and
				have elected industrial insurance coverage for yourself.
* You have a contract with someone else that primarily involves
				personal labor, even though you are not required to pay industrial insurance or
				unemployment insurance premiums.
* You volunteer your personal labor, or you have volunteers
				working for you who receive any benefit or compensation.
If you have any questions about your particular situation, call
1-800-4BE SAFE (1-800-423-7233)
or contact your local office of
				L&I for help. http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/ContactInfo/OfficeLocations/ [File
				Link Not Available].
Are there other safety and health rules I need to know
				about?
In addition to the rules in the DOSH
Safety and Health
				Core Rules
book, there are other general safety and health rules that
				may apply to employers, depending upon the industry and workplace activities.
				See this web site for a complete list of safety and health rules administered
				by L&I.
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Rules/Find/RuleName/
.
				If you have questions about these rules call 1-800-4BE SAFE (1-800-423-7233) or
				your local office of L&I.
How do the safety and health rules relate to fire,
				building and electrical codes?
Fire codes: Safety and health rules contain basic requirements
				for portable fire extinguishers, exit routes, housekeeping, storage, stairs and
				electrical hazards for the protection of employees in your workplace. The rules
				contained in this book are the most basic requirements to make sure that as an
				employer you provide a safe and healthy work environment. However, these are
				not the only rules regarding the requirements for portable fire extinguishers,
				exit routes, housekeeping, storage, stairs and electrical equipment. The fire
				marshal and local fire authorities enforce the Uniform Fire Code (UFC). DOSH
				and UFC differ in some areas, for example UFC requires exit sign lettering to
				be 6" or more and WISHA only states that the letters have to be clearly
				visible. Fire codes have more detailed and extensive requirements for the
				protection of the public than DOSH. Some codes overlap with DOSH
				requirements.
Building and electrical codes: WISHA rules are minimum
				requirements regardless of when the building was built or remodeled. Buildings
				must also comply with building and electrical codes at the time of
				construction. If you remodel, you must comply with the building and electrical
				codes applicable at that time. Building authorities and electrical inspection
				authorities enforce rules from the Uniform Building Code (UBC), and the
				National Electrical Code (NEC).
You are encouraged to call your local fire, building or
				electrical authority. For more information on the requirements in your area
				look in the government section of your phone book. Copies of these codes are
				available at your local library.
How can DOSH help employers and employees?
Employers can ask DOSH safety and health consultation staff for
				free, confidential consulting services in your workplace. DOSH safety and
				health professionals can examine your workplace and make recommendations about
				how to comply with the safety and health rules. If the consultant finds
				hazards, the employer will be given a reasonable period of time to correct the
				hazard without citation or penalty.
Sometimes you might have to wait for an appointment because of
				the demand for these services. You still must provide a safe workplace while
				you wait for a consultation.
DOSH offers a wide variety of free services. See the web site
				below for web access to the following information:
* Safety and health workshops held in locations throughout the
				state.
* A comprehensive safety and health video lending
				library.
* Safety and health publications geared for both employer and
				employee.
* Web site with online publications and learning
				opportunities.
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainingPrevention/
.
Note:
By law, DOSH consultants do not have any enforcement
							 authority.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				   49.17.010, [49.17].040, and[49.17].050 .
				  01-23-060, § 296-800-100, filed 11/20/01, effective 12/1/01; 01-11-038,
				  § 296-800-100, filed 5/9/01, effective
				  9/1/01.