What are the laws surrounding workplace safety?

In Washington, employers are required to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. This includes following safety regulations issued by the state’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). These regulations cover a range of topics, such as how hazardous materials should be handled, the use of fire safety equipment, and the maintenance of properly ventilated and heated working spaces. Employers are obligated to provide safety equipment, such as protective clothing, and to develop safety procedures and training for their employees. All safety training materials must be written in a language that is easily understood by all employees. Ongoing inspections may be held to ensure that workplace safety laws are being followed. Inspectors from L&I or other state agencies may visit a workplace to check for safety violations and make sure any safety measures put into place are working properly. Inspectors may also issue citations and penalties to employers who fail to comply with safety regulations. Employees have the right to report unsafe working conditions to their employer or to L&I. They can do so without fear of retaliation or discrimination. Unsafe acts and conditions can also be reported to L&I’s Safety & Health Assessment & Consultation (SHAC) program, which provides free safety evaluations of businesses and suggests potential solutions to any identified issues.

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What are the laws surrounding workplace safety?

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