Washington state Department of Labor & Industries News

COVID Again Leading Cause of Washington Work-Related Deaths

Washington state officials said this week that COVID-19 was responsible for about one quarter of the 106 work-related deaths reported in Washington in 2021. The numbers from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries show coronavirus was the leading …

Hard Drives Stolen During Break-in at Washington Department of Labor Regional Office

Hard drives, laptops, cellphones, office equipment, door access key cards, gas cards and other items were stolen during a recent burglary at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries regional office in Tukwila. The Tukwila Police Department is investigating …

Washington Foundry Cited for Dozens of Health and Safety Violations

A metal foundry and casting company in Walla Walla, Washington, faces a $93,600 fine for violating more than 40 health and safety regulations. A Washington State Department of Labor & Industries inspection reportedly found Walla Walla Foundry Inc. violated a …

Washington Contractors Fined for Death of Worker at Convention Center

Washington state has fined two construction companies a combined $20,000 after a construction worker was killed at the downtown Seattle convention center expansion. Bryan Phillips, 31, died in an accident at the site in September, the Seattle Times reported. In …

Washington Roofing Manufacturer Fined $100K in Worker Death

The failure to follow lockout/tagout procedures was directly connected to the death of a worker in Sumas, Washington, when an agitator arm inside a tank he was cleaning turned on, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. …

Minimum Wage, OT And Workers’ Comp Premium Changes in Washington Starting in 2022

Changes in Washington’s minimum wage, overtime for white-collar professionals, overtime for agricultural workers, and workers’ compensation premiums are set to take effect Jan. 1, 2022. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries on Tuesday issued reminders to businesses and …

Washington Business Owner Repays $43K for Bogus Worker’s Comp Interpretation Bills

A Seattle, Wash. woman accused of forging signatures and stealing money by billing the state for appointments, some related to workers’ compensation services, that never happened pleaded guilty Wednesday. Carla C. Moreno also repaid the Washington State Department of Labor …

Washington Man Who Faked Job Injury Pleads Guilty in Workers’ Comp Scam

A Thurston County, Wash., man who reportedly tried to pass off a barroom brawl injury as a workplace accident has pleaded guilty to stealing state workers’ compensation insurance benefits. Chuck Wayne Riccio, 40, of Yelm, pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree …

Washington Couple Face Felony Charges in $116K Workers’ Comp Scam

A married couple working at their son’s Vancouver, Wash., auto repair shop who claimed to be hurt at the shop and received workers’ compensation benefits for their injuries are now both charged with stealing those benefits from the Washington State …

Washington Adding Emergency Heat Exposure Rules for Outdoor Workers

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries filed an emergency rule to provide increased protection for employees exposed to extreme heat, including those working in agriculture, construction and other outdoor industries. The emergency Outdoor Heat Exposure rule filed on …