Olympia, WA — A brand new law in Washington repeals state statutes that forestall the Department of Labor & Industries from adopting ergonomics guidelines supposed to guard staff.
Signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee (D) on April 20, H.B. 5217 will permit Washington L&I to implement and implement measures aimed toward decreasing work-related musculoskeletal accidents and issues. In 2003, voters within the state repealed ergonomics requirements that went into impact in 2000. The new law is about to enter impact July 23.
Sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), the laws will apply to industries or threat classifications which have an MSD staff’ compensation claims fee at the least twice as excessive because the state’s general common for 5 consecutive years.
Each November, Washington L&I will probably be required to publish a listing of industries and threat classifications eligible for rulemaking primarily based on the factors. The record should determine low-priority industries and threat classifications that, primarily based on the statistical development, can have a fee decrease than two occasions the state common over the following three years.
During a March 14 listening to on the bill, David Bonauto of Washington L&I’s Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention program mentioned MSDs account for about 33% of complete staff’ comp claims within the state.
The law additionally gives potential funding to employers – to not exceed 2% of the premiums they paid into the state’s Accident Fund within the earlier yr – to buy further gear which may be wanted to adjust to adopted ergonomic guidelines.
The bill was authorised by the House, with a 51-46 vote, on April 7 and the Senate (27-21) on March 1.
