Washington DOSH Requirements for Construction Contractors
Washington State operates DOSH under the Department of Labor & Industries. Washington has some of the strictest workplace safety standards in the country, with requirements that frequently exceed federal OSHA minimums.
How Washington DOSH Differs from Federal OSHA
Washington State has some of the strictest workplace safety standards in the nation. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) under the Department of Labor & Industries enforces standards that frequently exceed federal OSHA minimums — particularly around heat exposure, fall protection documentation, and penalty amounts. Here are the key differences:
- Written Accident Prevention Program (APP) required for ALL employers — more comprehensive than federal recommendations
- Washington penalty amounts can exceed federal OSHA maximums
- DOSH conducts approximately 5,000+ inspections annually
- Ergonomics requirements for specific high-risk activities
- Outdoor heat exposure rule with specific temperature triggers and documented response procedures
- Wildfire smoke protections with documentation requirements
- Appeals go through the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA)
Additional Documentation Requirements
Washington's Accident Prevention Program (APP) requirement is the most comprehensive written safety program mandate of any state plan. Unlike California's IIPP, which follows a prescribed format, Washington's APP must be tailored to your specific workplace hazards and updated regularly. The documentation burden is substantial:
- Written Accident Prevention Program (APP) tailored to your specific workplace hazards — WAC 296-800-14005
- Safety committee or safety meetings required for employers with 11+ employees, with documented meeting minutes
- Outdoor heat exposure prevention plan (WAC 296-62-095) with documented training and response procedures
- Fall protection work plan (WAC 296-880) with specific documentation exceeding federal requirements
- Crane certification through DOSH with state-specific requirements
- Asbestos, lead, and silica exposure documentation requirements stricter than federal
Penalties
Washington DOSH penalties can reach $70,000+ per serious violation — significantly higher than federal OSHA. Willful violations can exceed $70,000. Repeat violations carry multiplied penalties. Washington is known for aggressive enforcement, particularly in construction.
Washington's penalty structure is notably more aggressive than federal OSHA. A serious violation that would carry a maximum $16,550 penalty under federal OSHA can exceed $70,000 under Washington DOSH. For detailed penalty comparisons, see OSHA Fine Amounts 2026. Contractors working in Washington should budget for significantly higher penalty exposure.
Inspection Activity
DOSH conducts approximately 5,000–6,000 inspections annually. Washington has a large construction workforce driven by growth in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area and statewide infrastructure projects.
The Seattle-Tacoma metro area in particular sees high inspection activity due to the volume of commercial and infrastructure construction. Understanding what happens during an inspection and having your inspection checklist ready is critical for Washington contractors.
Construction-Specific Notes
Washington contractors face the most stringent documentation requirements of any state plan. The Accident Prevention Program requirement is extensive — it must be written, site-specific, include hazard identification, training requirements, and be reviewed regularly. The fall protection work plan requirement adds documentation beyond federal Subpart M. Penalties are substantially higher than federal.
The combination of the APP requirement, the enhanced fall protection work plan, and penalties that can exceed $70,000 per violation makes Washington the most documentation-intensive state for construction contractors. If you operate in Washington, your documentation systems need to exceed what would be sufficient in a federal OSHA state.
Washington Has the Highest Penalties in the Country
With serious violation penalties exceeding $70,000, Washington contractors cannot afford documentation gaps. The OSHA Defense Documentation System helps you build the organized records that Washington DOSH inspectors evaluate — including APP documentation, safety committee minutes, and inspection logs that meet state-specific requirements.
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