The “Big Boys” of labor posters (OSHA, FLSA, etc) may come from the federal government out of Washington, DC but if you’re an employer in Washington State then you best keep current on the state labor posters coming out of Olympia, specifically the Washington State Department of Labor & Industry (L&I). In another blog post we discussed employers who pay their workers’ compensation premiums to the L&I and how their posting requirements are the “State Fund” posters. This posting will discuss employers who provide their own workers’ compensation coverage. They are required to post the “Self-Insurance” posters.

Your rights as a Worker (F700-074-909)

We discussed this poster previously as it is the same for state fund employers but allow us to just point out some highlights of the “Teen Corner – Information for Workers Ages 14-17” found on the bottom left of this mandatory posting:

• Employers must have a minor work permit to employ teens.
• Teens who are 14 or 15 must have a 30-minute meal period no later than the end of the fourth hour, and a 10- minute paid break for every two hours worked.
• A website specifically devoted to teen regulations lni.wa.gov/teenworkers

Job Safety and Health Law (F416-081-909)

This posting requirement is also the same for Self-Insurance Employers as it is for State Fund employers. Some of the highlights here are:

• The law requires employees to follow workplace safety and health rules that apply to their own actions and conduct on the job, and
• Employers must provide workplaces free from recognized hazards that could cause employees serious harm or death.

Notice to Employees – Self- Insurance (F207-037-909)

As per the Revised Code of Washington 51.14.100, employers must post this notice where employees can read it. The first thing this poster does is inform the employee that if they are injured, no matter how minor the injury seems, the should contact the person listed on the post. There is a space on the poster where the name and phone number of the person to whom injuries should be reported to should be filled in. It also cautions the employee to get medical care. The first time they see a doctor it could be with any health-care provider who is qualified to treat their injury but for ongoing care they must be treated by a doctor in the L&I medical network (which can be found at www.lni.wa.gov/findadoc). Employees should also file their claim ASAP!