L&I reviews rates every fall to ensure that they are sufficient to cover expected claim payouts, account for wage inflation, and appropriately build the contingency reserve fund. However, because 0.7 percent is an average, some risk class increases will be higher and some will be lower. A few industries with higher rates include:
- Food processing = 1 percent increase
- Wood products manufacturing = 5 percent increase
- Metal manufacturing = 2 percent increase
- Sawmills = 2 percent increase
Tips: L&I will be providing information and accepting comments during a series of statewide public hearings from October 26 to November 4, 2016. Hearing dates and locations are here, as well as information on the proposed rate tables. You can also reach out to Vigilant’s Retro Program Director, Trish Leimbach, at trishl@vigilant.org or 425-349-4477 for information about your 2017 premium rate change.
Last week, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) proposed an average increase of 0.7 percent on workers’ compensation rates charged to employers.
