Washington (DOSH / L&I)
Washington’s state plan is run by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) within the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). It covers most private and public employers, and L&I also runs the state’s workers’ compensation fund, so safety and injury claims are handled by the same agency.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Public employees
- Washington
At a glance
| Agency | Department of Labor & Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Most private employers and state and local government. Federal OSHA covers federal workers and some maritime, military and tribal workplaces. |
| Rules | Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 296 |
| Retaliation complaints | File with L&I within 90 days |
| Free employer help | DOSH Consultation |
| Workers’ comp | L&I state fund (most employers) or self-insured employers |
Where the rules are
- WAC 296-800: safety and health core rules that apply to almost all employers
- WAC 296-155: safety standards for construction work
- WAC 296-880: unified safety standards for fall protection
- WAC 296-24 and 296-62: general safety and general occupational health standards
Key Washington requirements
- Accident Prevention Program (APP): every employer must have a written APP tailored to its workplace, covering hazards, training, reporting and emergencies.
- Safety committees or safety meetings: required. Larger employers generally need an elected safety committee; smaller employers can hold regular safety meetings.
- Construction crew safety meetings: foremen and crews hold safety meetings at the start of each job and at least weekly.
- Fall protection: Washington’s unified fall protection rule (WAC 296-880 and the construction rules) has its own trigger heights and written fall protection work plan requirements, which are often stricter than federal OSHA. Check the rule for your type of work.
- Outdoor heat exposure (WAC 296-62-095): employers must provide water, shade, cool-down rest, acclimatization and training, with protections starting at set temperatures and stronger high-heat procedures at higher temperatures.
- Wildfire smoke: protections for outdoor workers that start when air quality reaches set levels, including respirators at higher levels.
- Asbestos: L&I certifies asbestos workers and supervisors, and a good faith asbestos inspection is required before most construction projects. See Asbestos Rules by State.
Reporting injuries
Employers must report work-related deaths and in-patient hospitalizations to DOSH quickly (within 8 hours of learning of them), plus amputations and loss of an eye within 24 hours. Check L&I for current rules.
Complaints and retaliation
- File a safety complaint with DOSH online, by phone or in person. You can ask that your name be kept confidential.
- If you are punished for raising safety concerns, file a discrimination complaint with L&I within 90 days. You can also file with federal OSHA within 30 days.
Other Washington laws worth knowing
Washington has one of the highest state minimum wages, paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and rest and meal break rules. See Washington Worker Rights.
Note: This page highlights common differences but is not complete. Check L&I’s website and the current WAC for your work.
Standards & references
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