Washington L&I Will Meet to Discuss Safety Standards for Waterfront Workers -- Occupational Health & Safety

Washington L&I Will Meet to Discuss Safety Standards for Waterfront Workers

The virtual meeting will take place on March 21, 2024, allowing stakeholder review of the proposed rule changes.

By Robert Yaniz Jr.
Feb 29, 2024

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is set to host a virtual stakeholder meeting on March 21, 2024, to discuss updates to the safety standards governing longshore, stevedore and other waterfront-related operations. This initiative—led by L&I's Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH)—aims to revise chapter 296-56 WAC, aligning it with new legislative and federal requirements.

According to the L&I website, the updates are in response to the Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1706, passed in 2022, which mandates restroom access and lactation spaces for drayage truck operators within port and rail yard properties. This move, enforced jointly by L&I and the Department of Health, seeks to enhance working conditions for maritime workers. The revisions will also incorporate federal standards for lactation space as outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act and meet OSHA’s marine terminal regulations.

This rulemaking process follows a series of stakeholder meetings held in 2022 and 2023, where draft language was presented and feedback was considered. The upcoming virtual meeting allows stakeholders to review the proposed rule changes, provide feedback and engage with L&I representatives.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

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