Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

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Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is a governmental agency in the state of Washington responsible for the administration and enforcement of various labor laws and regulations. The department's primary mission is to protect the safety, health, and security of Washington's workers and to ensure that employers comply with state labor laws.

History

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries was established in 1921. It was created to oversee the implementation of labor laws and to provide workers with protections against unsafe working conditions, unfair labor practices, and to administer workers' compensation benefits.

Functions and Responsibilities

L&I is responsible for a wide range of functions, including:

• **Workers' compensation**: Administering the state's workers' compensation system, which provides benefits to workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their job.
• **Workplace safety and health**: Enforcing workplace safety and health regulations to ensure that employers provide safe working environments for their employees.
• **Wage and hour laws**: Ensuring that employers comply with state wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, and child labor laws.
• **Apprenticeship programs**: Overseeing apprenticeship programs to ensure that they meet state standards and provide valuable training opportunities for workers.
• **Contractor registration**: Regulating contractors to ensure they meet state licensing and bonding requirements.
• **Prevailing wage**: Enforcing prevailing wage laws on public works projects to ensure that workers are paid fair wages.

Divisions

L&I is organized into several divisions, each responsible for specific areas of the department's work:

• **Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)**: Focuses on workplace safety and health enforcement and education.
• **Insurance Services Division**: Manages the state's workers' compensation insurance program.
• **Field Services and Public Safety Division**: Provides direct services to employers and workers, including inspections and consultations.
• **Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards Division**: Enforces wage and hour laws and investigates fraud in the workers' compensation system.

Leadership

The department is led by a Director, who is appointed by the Governor of Washington. The Director oversees the various divisions and ensures that the department's mission and goals are met.

Related Pages

• Washington (state)
• Workers' compensation
• Occupational safety and health
• Minimum wage
• Apprenticeship

See Also

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Department of Labor (United States)
• Washington State Department of Health