PDFWAC 296-900-12015
Complaints.
(1) Employees or employee representatives may file a written complaint if they believe they have been exposed to a hazard that is a violation of DOSH requirements.
What to expect from DOSH:
(2) After receiving a written complaint from an employee or employee representative, DOSH reviews the allegations and responds according to Table 2, DOSH Responses to Employee Complaints.
Table 2
DOSH Responses to Employee Complaints
For this determination: | DOSH will take the following actions: | |
The complaint is within DOSH jurisdiction and an inspection does not appear to be needed at this time | • • | Call the employer to discuss the complaint Set a deadline for the employer to respond in writing |
• | Email or mail a complaint notification letter to the employer. Before the complaint is emailed or mailed, the following names will be removed unless specific permission is given to include them: | |
– | The name of the person submitting the complaint | |
– | The names of any employees identified in the complaint | |
• | Evaluate the employer's response, and do one of the following: | |
– | Close the complaint because the issues have been addressed, and send a copy of the employer's response to the person filing the complaint | |
– | Inspect the workplace | |
Note: | ||
• | If the complaint is closed and additional information is received from the person filing the complaint disputing the employer's written response, DOSH may schedule an inspection | |
• | If the person who filed the original complaint requests in writing that DOSH review a decision not to conduct an inspection, DOSH will review the decision and notify the person in writing of the results | |
• | If the person requesting the review is not satisfied with the results of the review, they may request a second review by the assistant director or designee | |
The complaint is within DOSH jurisdiction and an inspection needs to be conducted | • • | Conduct an inspection Issue a citation and notice that shows one of the following: |
– | Violations found | |
– | No violations were found | |
• | Send a letter to the person filing the complaint with inspection results | |
Reference: For citation and notice information, turn to citation and notice, WAC 296-900-130 | ||
The complaint is not within DOSH jurisdiction | • | Send a written response to the person filing the complaint explaining the matter is not within DOSH jurisdiction |
Note: DOSH may make a referral to the proper authority | ||
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, 49.17.180, 49.17.190, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 25-03-091, s 296-900-12015, filed 1/16/25, effective 2/17/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 17-18-075, § 296-900-12015, filed 9/5/17, effective 10/6/17; WSR 06-06-020, § 296-900-12015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.]