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Showing posts for: Diane Buisman

Apr 20 2026
Employee ClassificationsWashington

Know how to respond to an L&I risk classification audit

We’re aware of several Washington employers who have recently received audit notices from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to review their risk classifications. Let’s run through what this means, what you should do if you are audited, and how to stay prepared in case you’re next on the list. Why is…

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Dec 08 2025
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I transitions reimbursement applications to online submission

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is phasing out acceptance of Stay at Work and Preferred Worker wage and expense requests submitted by fax or mail for injured workers. Instead, these wage and expense applications should be submitted online through your “My L&I” account page. L&I has stated that…

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May 28 2025
Safety and Health

It’s getting hot outside; time to prevent heat illness

Warm weather brings welcome relief from long winter months, but it also brings dangers for employees working outside. As summer approaches, it’s time to review your safety plans for protecting workers from heat illness hazards and to ensure compliance with state regulations. Cal/OSHA and Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) requirements depend on outdoor…

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Mar 21 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Washington Governor signs two bills impacting workers’ comp

Governor Jay Inslee recently signed two bills impacting Washington workers’ compensation time-loss payments and stay-at-work reimbursements: HB 1927: Allows injured workers who are unable to work for 7 days or more (instead of the current standard of 14 days or more) to receive time loss payments for the first 3 days of work missed due…

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Oct 19 2023
Safety and Health

Generalized lockout/tagout procedures are not enough

If your workplace has machines that are powered by or store hazardous energy, federal and state safety regulations require you to have machine-specific written procedures to address those hazards. Your lockout/tagout program is an essential element to keep employees safe when working around hazardous energy, but its procedures are only effective if the instructions are…

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Jan 19 2023
Safety and Health

Machine guard violations lead to criminal charges

An Alabama manufacturer has pled guilty to willfully violating OSHA regulations stemming from the company’s practice of removing safety guards on a moving piece of equipment, which caused the tragic death of an employee. The company manufactured flat rectangular plastic sheets by feeding raw materials through large rollers, which often got tangled with plastic as…

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Feb 04 2021
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles County extends COVID-19 paid sick leave

Los Angeles County has passed an ordinance extending its COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave after its previous ordinance expired on December 31, 2020 (read our original article on the county’s ordinance here). The new ordinance is set to expire two weeks after the local emergency order expires. In addition to extending the duration of supplemental…

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Jan 21 2021
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Localities extend COVID-19 paid sick leave ordinances

A number of California cities and counties have extended their COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency paid sick ordinances, or are preparing to do so in the coming weeks. Below is a list of ordinances that have already been extended, or may be extended soon. Oakland (city): The City of Oakland has extended its emergency paid sick leave…

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Sep 08 2020
COVID-19Hiring

Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, through September 19, 2020

The federal Department of Homeland Security has again extended its temporary relaxation of the standards for physically inspecting a new worker's employment eligibility documents when completing the Form I-9. This is the fourth 30-day extension of the relaxed standard, with the new expiration now September 19, 2020. As we originally reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for employers that…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19Hiring

Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, through July 19, 2020

The federal Department of Homeland Security has announced another extension of its temporarily relaxed standard regarding physical inspection of a new worker's employment eligibility documents when completing the Form I-9. This is the second 30-day extension of the relaxed standard, with the new expiration now July 19, 2020. As we previously reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for employers…

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Jun 04 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: CCPA notice should include medical information

If you’re conducting pre-shift health screenings as part of your COVID-19 (coronavirus) prevention efforts, be sure you understand how gathering medical information could implicate the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). As we previously reported, the CCPA took effect on January 1, 2020, and requires certain employers to provide disclosures to applicants, employees, and contractors who…

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May 21 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Use Vigilant policy for COVID-19 manufacturer safety

Vigilant has developed a model policy to help comply with Washington’s Phase 2 requirements for manufacturing employers to continue or reopen operations, which we reported on in our last newsletter. Under Washington’s Phase 2 manufacturing requirements, each manufacturing facility is required to create a written exposure control plan for COVID-19 (coronavirus) that addresses those requirements….

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