L&I News

Washington Company Fined $231,000 for Asbestos Violations

A Washington company was fined $231,000 for exposing workers to asbestos at a jobsite. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries fined U-Haul of Spokane for exposing workers to asbestos during renovations of a former K-Mart building. The company …

Washington Workers’ Comp Premium Going up in 2025

The average cost of workers’ compensation insurance in Washington will go up about 3.8% in 2025, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announced. Employers and workers together will pay on average roughly $1 per week more for each …

Washington Cabinet Shop Fined $187K for Safety Violations

A Ridgefield, Washington cabinet company has been cited for numerous safety violations including unguarded saw blades, spraying flammable glue next to ignition sources and not taking steps to lock down dangerous machinery. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries …

Teens at Washington Trampoline Park Didn’t Receive Breaks, Worked Too Many Hours

Teens working at Sky Zone trampoline park in Vancouver, Washington, did not receive meal breaks, and worked more hours than the law allows during school times, an investigation by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries shows. L&I said …

Washington’s Proposed Wildfire Smoke Designed to Protect Workers from Dangers

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries filed proposed permanent wildfire smoke rules and launched a formal process for public input designed to protect people who work outdoor jobs like construction, agriculture, roofing, roadwork and other industries. When these …

New Heat Rules for Outdoor Workers in Washington Proposed

Proponents of a new proposal this week to update Washington’s permanent heat rules say they will increase protections for agricultural, construction, and other workers exposed to dangerous outdoor temperatures on the job. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries …

Washington Man Ordered to Repay $127K in Workers’ Comp Scam

A Washington contractor who claimed he was too injured to work despite reportedly running his own construction company was ordered to pay back the state more than $127,000. Daniel Joseph Lesieur, of Washougal, pleaded guilty to felony second-degree theft for …

Washington Proposes 4.8% Workers’ Comp Increase for 2023

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.8% increase in the average price employers and workers pay for workers’ compensation insurance in 2023. Employers and workers would jointly pay an additional $61 a year on average for …

Washington Department of Labor Issues Outdoor Worker Guidance Amid Heat Wave

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries is responding to potentially record-breaking temperatures across Washington this week and warning businesses in industries from agriculture to building and road construction that they are required to take steps to protect outdoor workers …

Faking Workers’ Comp Injuries Costs Washington Logger $160K, Detention

A Cowlitz County, Washington, logger who reportedly faked injuries to collect workers’ compensation benefits was ordered to repay the state more than $160,000. James Joseph Thomasson, 53, has also been ordered to serve 60 days in home detention, the maximum …