Washington operates an OSHA-approved State Plan that is formally known as the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA). It is administered by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) within the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).
The Washington State Plan covers:
Private-sector employees
State and local government workers
Federal OSHA retains jurisdiction only in a few limited areas, such as:
Federal employees
Maritime operations (shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring)
Certain contractors on federal property
Washington’s program includes:
All Federal OSHA standards, where applicable
State-specific standards that address local occupational health and safety issues not fully covered under federal rules
Examples of Washington-specific regulations include:
Ergonomics Rule (though previously repealed, similar rules may apply through general duty clauses)
Rules on Outdoor Heat Exposure
Rules for Wildfire Smoke Exposure
Enhanced fall protection requirements
Specific logging safety rules
Additional requirements for construction and agriculture sectors
DOSH provides education and outreach, including:
Training materials
Consultation services
Guidance for compliance with both federal and Washington-specific rules
Many Washington employers require OSHA 10- and 30-hour training courses for their workers, especially in construction, though they may be supplemented with state-specific training content.
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