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Feb 17 2022
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington manufacturer fined $98K after lockout-tagout fatality

Recently the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced a fine of $98,000 against a manufacturer in Sumas, Washington, due to lockout-tagout violations that resulted in a worker’s death. The employee was inside a tank, cleaning it, when an agitator arm turned on. According to L&I, the company, IKO Pacific, had written procedures for…

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Feb 17 2022
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Indoor mask mandate to end March 21, 2022

Washington governor Jay Inslee held a press conference on 2/17/22 and announced that on March 21, 2022, the state will no longer require masks in public indoor spaces (including workplaces) and schools. The following proclamations from the governor have been updated: Proclamation 21-08.01 COVID-19 Safe Workers. Proclamation 20-25.18 COVID-19 Washington Ready. Proclamation 20-03.07 Face Coverings…

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Feb 03 2022
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules updated, 1/21/22

On January 21, 2022, Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Department of Health (DOH) made updates to the existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry. This is the fifth set of modifications since the rules were originally adopted in May 2020. Here are the changes: Cloth face coverings…

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Feb 03 2022
DisabilityWashington

WASHINGTON: Long-term care premium tax delayed to July 2023

On January 27, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed Substitute House Bill 1732, delaying the implementation of Washington state’s long-term care premium tax from January 1, 2022, until July 1, 2023. As we previously reported, mounting opposition to the program caused Governor Inslee to announce a delay in late December 2021. However, in a subsequent press…

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Jan 06 2022
Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON: Collect higher PFML premiums in 2022

As of January 1, 2022, both the premiums and maximum weekly benefits have increased for Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. The premium rate has increased to 0.6% of each employee’s gross wages (not including tips), up to a maximum of $147,000 (which is the 2022 Social Security cap). The split between employers…

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Jan 06 2022
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor says long-term care deductions begin Jan. 1

On December 23, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee clarified that employer deductions from employees’ wages under Washington’s Long Term Care Act are required by law to begin January 1, 2022, except for workers who purchased their own insurance and successfully applied for an exemption. Just a few days earlier, he had announced that he was “pausing”…

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Dec 16 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: State extends rules for reporting COVID-19 outbreaks

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has issued a replacement emergency temporary rule, which is identical to the rule we previously reported, regarding employer reporting and notification requirements for infectious and contagious diseases during a public health emergency, including the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The original rules were set to expire on December 8,…

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Dec 16 2021
Q&AWage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON Q&A: Pay door-to-door for out-of-town travel

Question: We have a non-exempt (hourly) employee in Washington who’s going to be traveling out of town for work. What travel time hours do they need to be paid for? Answer: The safest approach is to pay the employee door-to-door (from their home to the out-of-town destination and from the out-of-town destination back home). As…

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Nov 04 2021
ArizonaCaliforniaIdaho

Q&A: Know how to respond to positive COVID-19 result

Question: My employee says they tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). There have been so many changes to the requirements that I’m not sure what I should do anymore. Please help! Answer: Start with current federal guidance and then check your state and local requirements. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web page on Quarantine and…

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Oct 21 2021
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Seattle and SeaTac increase minimum wages in 2022

The minimum wage in both Seattle and SeaTac will exceed $17.00 an hour as of January 1, 2022. The City of Seattle is increasing its minimum wage requirement to $17.27 per hour for most employers. Seattle’s minimum wage rates apply to all non-exempt employees for all hours they work within the city limits. The specific…

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Oct 07 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: 5th update to COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules

On September 24, 2021, Washington’s Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health made very minor updates to the existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry to align with Governor Inslee’s current “Washington Ready” Proclamation (20-25.17). As a reminder, as of the end of June the agriculture industry no longer has its…

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Oct 07 2021
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Minimum wage and exempt salary increase in 2022

The state of Washington has announced increases in the minimum wage rate and the exempt salary thresholds for employees, effective January 1, 2022. These increases impact several state wage requirements that you’ll want to be aware of if you have employees in Washington. The cities of Seattle and SeaTac have higher minimum wage requirements but…

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