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Showing posts for: Washington

Jun 17 2021
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Vigilant comments on L&I hours worked changes

Vigilant recently submitted comments on behalf of our members in response to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) draft administrative policy addressing hours worked. This draft policy proposes changes to the existing policy ES.C.2, which was last revised on September 2, 2008. The revised policy attempts to clarify the current definition of “hours…

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Jun 03 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Worker housing rules updated for vaccinated occupants

On May 28, 2021, Washington's Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health updated the existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry to lift certain restrictions for fully vaccinated workers. These revisions coincide with updated agriculture workplace requirements issued by Governor Jay Inslee, adding exceptions for fully vaccinated employees. Both…

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May 24 2021
COVID-19Harassment & DiscriminationLeave Laws

WASHINGTON: Governor grants worker protections related to COVID-19

On May 21, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 21-08 “Safe Workers,” which prohibits Washington employers from taking any adverse employment action as a result of a worker receiving a COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine or needing time off related to the worker’s own COVID-19 vaccination, exposure, or illness. Time off to take a family member to…

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May 24 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: New mask options for fully vaccinated workers

On May 21, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced new workplace mask options in line with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s May 13, 2021, guidance, which said people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus) generally don’t need to wear masks or physically distance, with a…

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May 20 2021
Safety and HealthTermination & ResignationWashington

WASHINGTON: New bill amends WISHA’s anti-retaliation provision

On May 11, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed ESHB 1097, amending the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act’s (WISHA) anti-retaliation provision by explicitly prohibiting acts that would deter reasonable employees from exercising their rights under the Act and expanding the time for filing a workplace safety complaint with the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)…

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May 19 2021
ArizonaCaliforniaIdaho

ALERT: CDC’s relaxed mask guidance, understand how it applies in your state

Understand how CDC’s relaxed mask guidance applies in your state On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus) generally don’t need to wear masks or physically distance with a few exceptions, setting off a flurry of compliance questions for employers. Depending on your…

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May 18 2021
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Lower your work comp premium – do two things first

Question: “What action can we take to lower our upfront workers’ comp premium? Where do we even start?” Answer: From Vigilant’s VP of Workers’ Comp, Dan Beaty. I get asked this question daily. My reply? We’re here to help, and here’s a hint: high frequency/impact injuries, and a strategic use of kept-on-salary(KOS). To lower upfront…

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May 13 2021
COVID-19DisabilityHarassment & Discrimination

WASHINGTON: New law creates more pandemic worker protections

Several important developments have recently occurred in Washington state. We're addressing the following topics in this post – find the full articles below.   New law creates more pandemic worker protections. On May 11, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed ESSB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), creating labor standards that automatically take effect…

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May 06 2021
Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: New law requires safety training for temps

Washington governor Jay Inslee has signed a new bill that requires staffing agencies and host employers in manufacturing and construction to coordinate their safety training for temporary workers. The new law, SHB 1206, takes effect July 25, 2021, and applies to temporary workers assigned to industries in sectors 31 through 33 (manufacturing) and 23 (construction)…

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May 04 2021
IdahoOregonSafety and Health

Off the OSHA radar, but on target

Four years with no OSHA recordable injuries. Five years with no OSHA recordable injuries. These are statements you don’t read often for fast-paced manufacturing production facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Why is this a rare thing and how did two Vigilant member companies do it? Alta Forest Products’ facilities in Morton, Washington, and Naples, Idaho,…

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Apr 01 2021
Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON: Paid Family & Medical Leave benefits increase in 2021

Heads up, Washington employers: the maximum weekly benefit for the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program has increased from $1,000 to $1,206 as of January 1, 2021. Each September, the Employment Security Department (ESD) is required to adjust the maximum weekly benefit amount for the following calendar year to 90 percent of the…

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Mar 25 2021
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Kept-On-Salary Mandates: There’s an alternative

Lately I’ve received a lot of questions about Vigilant’s perspective on Kept-On-Salary mandates. Here’s where we stand: We oppose KOS Mandates Our fundamental objection to KOS mandates is that they ALWAYS benefit a group retro program and its association sponsor, but do NOT ALWAYS best serve the individual member companies that are paying for it….

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Is My Company Eligible?

If you are a manufacturing or agriculture employer in Washington and committed to keeping your employees safe and working, you may be eligible for Vigilant's workers' compensation Retro or claims management programs. To see if you qualify fill out our release form now, or contact us.

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