WSR 21-11-051
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed May 13, 2021, 2:20 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Occupational exposures to infectious or contagious diseases.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In accordance with 2021's ESSB 5092, section 220(8), the department is initiating rule making for occupational health protections related to infectious diseases to ensure the state has general guidelines to follow in the case of an infectious disease outbreak. This would include when there is an outbreak subject to a public health emergency under a national or state declared state of emergency.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington state department of health has certain authority over public health and health care delivery and facilities. The department of labor and industries (L&I) will coordinate where needed.
Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in the formulation of these rules for proposal may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments or giving oral testimony during the public hearing process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Carmyn Shute, Administrative Regulations Analyst, L&I, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, P.O. Box 44610, Olympia, WA 98504-4610, phone 360-902-6081, fax 360-902-5619, email Carmyn.Shute@Lni.wa.gov, website https://www.lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/.
May 13, 2021
Joel Sacks
Director