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Washington · Workplace safety

The workplace safety (OSHA) rules in force in Washington now.

Washington State Plan run by L&I Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) under ch. 49.17 RCW (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act). Enforced by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (DOSH); federal OSHA for excluded areas. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Workplace safety in Washington

Checked on the source
In force

Washington State Plan run by L&I Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) under ch. 49.17 RCW (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act)

Covers private employers and state and local government workers; initial approval Jan 26, 1973, certified Feb 9, 1982. Federal OSHA keeps federal workers, offshore maritime, military reservations, some tribal lands, and private-sector 11(c) retaliation cases.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (DOSH); federal OSHA for excluded areas

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; confirm the local office for the address.

What changes next

In force

In force per OSHA State Plan page (re-read Oct 15, 2026); DOSH rulemaking not checked

The federal layer

The federal layer applies in every state: OSHA's Hazard Communication update (91 FR 1695) sets November 20, 2026 for substances and May 19, 2028 for mixtures. State-plan states enforce it through their own agency.

What a building has to do

6 recurring duties

These apply when the building has the equipment or fits the type named. The frequency is the standard one; your local official can set a stricter one, so confirm it for the address.

One-time deadline
Hazard Communication: written program, labels and retraining for substances29 CFR 1910.1200; 91 FR 1695 · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-26. Source
Annual
Lockout/tagout: written energy-control procedures; at least once a year an authorized employee who does not use a procedure inspects it, and the employer certifies the inspection (equipment, date, employees involved, inspector)29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4) and (c)(6) · Federal OSHA or state plan; owner documents · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Every 5 years
Electrical safety: qualified-person training for anyone who works on or near energized equipment, and the arc-flash incident energy analysis reviewed for accuracy at least every 5 years, with equipment labels kept current29 CFR 1910.332; NFPA 70E-2024, 130.5(G) · Federal OSHA or state plan; qualified engineer or trainer · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Confined spaces: identify permit-required spaces (vaults, tanks, pits, sewage wells) and post danger signs; if staff enter, keep a written permit program, keep cancelled permits at least a year, and review the program within a year after each entry (one annual review can cover them all)29 CFR 1910.146(c), (d)(14) and (e)(6) · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Injury records: post the OSHA 300A annual summary from February 1 through April 30; hotels and motels (NAICS 7211) with 20 or more employees at the establishment also submit it electronically by March 2 (100 or more: the 300 and 301 too)29 CFR 1904.32 and 1904.41, Appendices A and B to Subpart E · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Emergency action and fire prevention plans, where another OSHA standard requires them: in writing (employers with 10 or fewer employees may give them orally); the emergency plan reviewed with each employee at initial assignment, when duties change and when the plan changes29 CFR 1910.38 and 1910.39 · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source

Questions about the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Washington

Which OSHA rules apply in Washington today?

Washington State Plan run by L&I Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) under ch. 49.17 RCW (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act). Covers private employers and state and local government workers; initial approval Jan 26, 1973, certified Feb 9, 1982. Federal OSHA keeps federal workers, offshore maritime, military reservations, some tribal lands, and private-sector 11(c) retaliation cases.

Who enforces the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Washington?

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (DOSH); federal OSHA for excluded areas.

What changes next for the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Washington?

Nothing is scheduled. The rule above stays in force until the state adopts a newer edition or amends the program; AHJ Radar re-checks the source weekly.

Other areas in Washington

Everything in force in Washington
Fire code2021 International Fire Code with Washington amendments (ch. 51-54A WAC), part of the Stat…Building code2021 International Building Code incl. Appendix E with Washington amendments (ch. 51-50 WA…ElevatorsCh. 296-96 WAC (RCW 70.87): ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 effective Oct 2, 2023; table also l…BoilersCh. 70.79 RCW + ch. 296-104 WAC; inspection frequencies in WAC 296-104-100 as amended by W…Pools and spasCh. 246-260 WAC Water Recreation Facilities (pools, spas, wading and spray pools) + ch. 24…Hotels and lodgingDOH Transient Accommodation licensing (ch. 70.62 RCW, ch. 246-360 WAC); fire safety under …Retrofit and recertificationClean Buildings Performance Standard (RCW 19.27A.210; energy, not life safety) for buildin…

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