Free Directory of Web Resources for Washington Businesses - Washington

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Directory of Web Resources for Washington Businesses
Answers -- just a click or two away on L&I's Web site 8

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www.WebDirectory.Lni.wa.gov

Safety
Accident prevention -- Do I need a plan?
www.SafetyBasics.Lni.wa.gov
Yes. Get a sample "accident prevention program" you can tailor to your business -- plus more information to help you provide a safe and healthy workplace.

Grants to improve workplace safety -- Are any offered?
www.SafetyGrants.Lni.wa.gov
Yes. Learn more about Safety and Health Investment Projects (SHIP) to improve worker safety in companies that pay workers' compensation premiums to L&I.

Finding workplace hazards -- Is help available?
www.SafetyConsultants.Lni.wa.gov
Yes. L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) provides free consultations to help you find hazards, increase safety awareness and understand workplace safety rules.

Safety training materials -- Free and online?
www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/ and www.Workshops.Lni.wa.gov
Yes! Online we offer safety courses, employee training kits and videos at no charge. We also present free safety workshops around the state, loan training videos and DVDs, and co-sponsor conferences. And we offer workshops on controlling claim costs.

Safety and health rules -- Which apply to me?
www.Lni.wa.gov/WISHA/Rules/CoreRules/
Begin with the "core rules" that apply to most businesses except agriculture. Then, follow the steps explained at www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Steps. Agricultural businesses should visit this page: www.Lni.wa.gov/WISHA/Rules/agriculture

Safety-related research -- What's new?
www.SHARP.Lni.wa.gov
Preventing lung disease from food flavorings and reducing injuries in the trucking industry are two hot topics. L&I's SHARP Program conducts research, monitoring and demonstration projects all designed to promote healthy work environments and prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) -- Do I pay for it?
www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/
You provide necessary PPE at no cost to your employees if the PPE is used to protect against hazardous materials and is a type of PPE that employees would not reasonably use or wear away from the workplace.

Safety messages and reminders -- Ideas?
www.SafetyCalendar.Lni.wa.gov
Try the 2008 Job Safety Calendar. While designed for construction and agriculture, it covers safety topics that may be useful to your business.

Pick a topic, find it here
Quickly find other safety-related topics, from asbestos to workplace violence, using the A to Z Alphabetical Topic Index at www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/

Other helpful safety Web sites
We pulled together this list of safetyrelated Web sites to make it easier for you to learn about resources other organizations offer.

www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety/Links.asp

Claims & Insurance
Employee injured at work, filed a claim -- What do I do?
www.Lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Insurance/ Reduce/Manage/
Get medical help for your injured worker and get the facts. Review our tips for controlling claim costs, and sign up for the Claim and Account Center.

Rates and premiums -- How do you decide what I pay?
www.Rates.Lni.wa.gov
Risks in your industry and your company's claim history affect your costs. Get the details online.

Claim-free discount -- Who gets it?
www.ClaimFreeDiscount.Lni.wa.gov
Companies that prevent workplace injuries can save between 10 and 40 percent on the premiums they pay.

Quarterly reports -- How do I file?
www.QuarterlyReports.Lni.wa.gov
File your quarterly report with L&I online and pay premiums electronically or by check, or you can file by mail.

Reducing premiums -- Any ideas?
www.Lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Insurance/Reduce/
Check this out!

Online service saves you time & mo

ney

Use the Claim & Account Center, a secure online service, to view your account information, complete and t, submit the Employer Report of Acciden nts, send secure review claim docume messages to the claim manager and protest a claim decision. Find out how to register: www.ClaimInfo.Lni.wa.gov t and click on "View Employer Accoun and Claims Information."

Do all you can to keep your employees safe and injury free. Understand risk-management principles. If one of your employees is injured, manage the claim through light-duty work and other return-to-work strategies to keep costs in check.

Premium refunds -- How can I get one?
www.Retro.Lni.wa.gov
Are you committed to safety? Find out more about premium refunds in the Retrospective Rating Program.

Workers' comp -- How does it help employers?
www.Lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Insurance/Learn/
Learn more about no-fault workers' compensation insurance administered by L&I. It protects both workers and employers from the economic impact of work-related injury and illness.

Workplace Rights
Minimum wage -- What is the current amount?
www.Wages.Lni.wa.gov
In Washington State, the minimum wage in 2008 is $8.07 per hour. It applies to workers in both agriculture and non-agricultural jobs, although 14and 15-year-olds may be paid 85% of the minimum wage, or $6.86 an hour.

Hiring teens -- Are there special rules?
www.TeenWorkers.Lni.wa.gov
Washington State law limits hours and types of work for workers under age 18, and sets other requirements. You also need a Minor Work Permit endorsement on your business license.

Family leave -- What is the current law?
www.Lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/ LeaveBenefits/FamilyCare/
Read about state and federal laws covering leave for sickness, caring for sick family members and pregnancy.

Overtime -- When do I have to pay it?
www.Lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/ Wages/Overtime/
Most workers who are paid an hourly wage and work more than 40 hours in a 7-day work week must be paid overtime.

You'll find more answers here

Helpful links to other state agencies
Access Washington ­ Doing Business in Washington
www.access.wa.gov/business/ www.esd.wa.gov

Visit the main Workplace Rights Web page to answer other questions, including requirements for pay, breaks and work schedules; payroll and personnel records; and information on how L&I interprets wage-and-hour rules (the 2006 Wage Payment Act). www.WorkplaceRights.Lni.wa.gov Employers in the agricultural industry should visit the following page: www.Lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/ Agriculture/

Employment Security Department Department of Ecology
www.ecy.wa.gov/ www.dol.wa.gov/ www.dor.wa.gov/

Department of Licensing Department of Revenue Office of the Secretary of State
www.secstate.wa.gov/

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See us online at: www.Lni.wa.gov

Trades & Licensing
Remodeling my facility -- What should I know before hiring a contractor?
www.Lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/ Contractors/HireCon/
Use our online search to make sure you're hiring a registered contractor who is current with bonding and insurance requirements and workers' compensation coverage for their employees.

Electrical work -- When is a permit required?
www.ElecPermit.Lni.wa.gov
State law requires property owners to obtain an electrical permit for most new, remodel and maintenance electrical work. If you hire an electrical contractor to do the work, he or she must purchase the permit. Find out about electrical permits and inspections before starting any work.

Risk and liability -- Should I worry about a subcontractor's unpaid premiums?
www.PremiumStatus.Lni.wa.gov
Yes, you could be liable for a subcontractor's unpaid workers' comp premiums. Look up a subcontractor to see if his/her account is up to date.

Bidding on public construction projects -- Are there wage requirements?
www.PrevailingWage.Lni.wa.gov
If you bid on public works jobs you're required to pay "prevailing wage" to your workers. Construction, alteration, repair or improvement that is executed at the cost of the state or a local public agency is considered public works. Review the responsibilities of employers, contractors and subcontractors who accept work on these projects.

General L&I information
Required posters -- Where can I get them?
www.Posters.Lni.wa.gov
We'll send you free copies of the posters L&I requires. See the list online and find out how to order them.

Fraud -- How do I report it?
www.Fraud.Lni.wa.gov
Learn the signs of fraud and how to report suspected fraud by injured workers, employers, contractors, or health-care providers who treat injured workers.

Answers to other questions -- Where do I call when I don't know who to call?
Local Offices: www.Offices.Lni.wa.gov
Customer service representatives in local L&I offices can assist you or direct you to L&I specialists who can. Check our Web site for office locations and phone numbers.

Small business liaison: www.SmallBusiness.Lni.wa.gov
Ron Langley, L&I's Small Business Liaison, is your advocate inside L&I to answer questions and solve problems about workers' compensation insurance, workplace safety rules, wage-and-hour regulations, contractor registration and other business with L&I.

Also on our Web site
L&I provides a variety of services to the people and businesses of our state. For example, you'll also find these topics on our Web site.

Apprenticeship programs
www.Apprenticeship.Lni.wa.gov

Crime Victims Compensation Program
www.CrimeVictims.Lni.wa.gov

Requirements for farm labor contractors
www.Lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/Agriculture/FarmLabor/

Complaints about construction defects in manufactured/mobile homes
www.Lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/FAS/Complaints/NewConstruction/

Amusement rides ­ a safety checklist for parents
www.Lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Electrical/AmuseRide/

Licenses, registrations and certificates issued by L&I
www.Licensing.Lni.wa.gov

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View this publication online with active links at www.WebDirectory.Lni.wa.gov
Other formats for persons with disabilities are available on request. Call 1-800-547-8367. TDD users, call 360-902-5797. L&I is an equal opportunity employer.

PUBLICATION F101-084-000 [02-2008]