The Department of Labor and Industries will offer a number of opportunities for employers to learn about new occupational injury and illness recordkeeping require-ments that will take effect Jan. 1, 2002.
Because of changes made by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), most Washington employers will be required to adhere to a new reporting system for recording injuries and illnesses that occur to their employees.
Specifically, OSHA has replaced a 30-year-old series of forms used to record workplace injuries and illness. The new forms give employers added flexibility for maintaining such records while providing more detailed information on how injuries and illness occur.
To assist employers, L&I will offer a number of options – including workshops, Internet Web sites and other resources – where employers can seek information and instructions for obtaining and maintaining the new forms.
The agency will conduct a statewide series of no-fee workshops to help employers understand and comply with the new reporting requirements.
Workshops are currently scheduled in the following places: Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Mt. Vernon, Port Angeles, Spokane, Tacoma, Tukwila, Tumwater, Vancouver and Yakima.
Interested employers can register for the workshop in their community by contacting Wendy Palms at 1-800-574-2829, or via e-mail at:
workshopsched@lni.wa.gov.