Business Minute With Maggie
Greetings small business owners and happy summer!
Hello to all my business buddies! I hope you are as excited for summer as I am! A beautiful summer day in our majestic state is truly hard to beat. I love to walk my neighborhood, sit by the Sound, and pack up for a weekend camping trip. But there are always farmers markets, a day at the lake, and backyard barbecues. What's your favorite way to enjoy the season?
In this edition, we’ll cover some summer-related topics like outdoor worker protections and wildfire smoke rules, as well as important contractor updates, available grants, workshops, and more!
Wishing you a wonderful, sunny season ahead!
Your pal at L&I,
Maggie Hammond
Assistant Small Business Liaison
SBLT: The Recipe for a Perfect Team
SBLT? Is that a spicy bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich? No! It’s the Small Business Liaison Team, which is dedicated to helping you with your business. Twenty-seven state agencies have a Small Business Liaison who can help you navigate regulations, resources, and information to enable your business to succeed. The SBLT contact list can be found on Business.wa.gov website.
The Small Business Guide is a resource you’ll want to bookmark. This guide offers a wealth of information for all things business. Organized into chapters, the Small Business Guide has something for each ‘phase’ of a business life cycle: Plan, Start, Run, Grow, Close. Whether you’re looking to hire your first employee, open a new location, or have questions about state taxes, there's something in there for all business owners!
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Trivial Tidbit #1
The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) gets its name from Greek mythology. Cynara, the human Zeus brought to Olympus, was sent back to Earth as an artichoke after disobeying him.
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Safety & Health Includes Mental Wellness
Workplace safety and health goes beyond choosing the right protective equipment, it also includes mental wellness.
Did you know for every $1 invested in mental health treatment, there is a $4 return in improved health and productivity? When people thrive at work, they are more likely to feel physically and mentally healthy overall, and contribute positively to their workplaces, families, and communities. Labor & Industries offers guidance on mental wellness topics such as:
With 1 in 5 adults living with a mental illness according to the CDC, it is important to be prepared to acknowledge and talk about mental wellness. Labor & Industries has created a robust tool box to help you do just that!
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Warmer Weather Means Keeping Workers Cool: Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat and Wildfire Smoke
Outdoor Worker Protections
New protections for outdoor workers went into effect last year. With warming weather upon us, let's review some key pieces of the outdoor heat exposure rules:
At 80°F and above (52°F for non-breathable clothing) employers must:
- Provide cool drinking water, enough for each employee to consume 1 quart per hour
- Provide enough shade for all employees on a meal/rest period to sit fully in the shade, located close to where employees are working
- Closely observe new employees, those returning from absence, and everyone during a heatwave
- Observation can be done via regular phone/radio communication, buddy system, etc.
Find out more ways to Be Heat Smart on the L&I website.
Wildfire Smoke
An inevitable part of summer is wildfires and the smoke they bring. Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of harmful chemicals and particles. This smoke can make anyone sick, even healthy individuals, so it's important to know when and how to protect yourself and your employees.
Exposure to the small particles in wildfire smoke can cause mild to serious symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Respiratory issues like cough, difficulty breathing, etc.
- Cardiovascular concerns such as fast or irregular heartbeat, feeling weak or light-headed, etc.
- Stroke
Check out this table summarizing the key requirements of the wildfire smoke rule for covered employers, including what protections are needed for various air quality indexes. Visit the L&I website for training and resources and to see wildfire smoke FAQs.
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Contractor Training Day this Fall
Contractors, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
The next Contractor Training Day is coming to Edmonds Friday, September 6. With over 20 classes you can choose from, there is something for everyone! Subjects include:
- Safety
- Managing your claims to control your workers' compensation costs
- Public works contracting
- Business planning
- Risk management
- Marketing
- And more!
Plus you can learn all about the requirements for Prevailing Wage jobs. If you attend the Public Works & Prevailing Wage workshop, it satisfies the training requirement for responsible bidders.
This event is free to attend. It will take place on Friday, September 6 at Edmonds Community College from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visit the L&I website for more information and registration.
PS- can’t make this one? Don’t worry, go to our Workshops and Training Center, select “Contractor Training Day” from the dropdown menu, and see information on other upcoming opportunities.
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More Representation Coming to FAS Advisory Board
L&I adopted amendments to rules this month affecting inspection insignias and membership in the Factory Assembled Structures (FAS) Advisory Board.
These changes are necessary after two bills that took effect in 2023: House Bill 1514, and Senate Bill 5089. The adopted rule amendments include:
- Amending plan review requirements for RVs and recreational park trailers.
- Amending the FAS Advisory Board rules, including adding new members to the Advisory Board. Representatives will include allied trades, conversion vending units, and other regulated industries.
- Making various updates and clean-up changes.
The agency filed a CR-103P Rulemaking Order on June 18. The new rules will take effect on July 22, 2024.
To read more about the adopted rules, visit Factory Assembled Structures Laws & Rules at the L&I website.
For questions or technical assistance on the adopted rules, please contact us at FAS1@Lni.wa.gov or 1-800-705-1411, Option 3.
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Trivial Tidbit #2
The cone snail is so venomous it can be lethal to humans.
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Reminder to Contractors: Bonds Are Rising July 1
Starting July 1, 2024, general and specialty construction contractors must have higher contractor bonds the next time they renew their registration with L&I.
The state Legislature is requiring the higher amounts to strengthen protections for consumers and others who depend on the bond, including building material suppliers and workers.
- General contractor bonds will rise from the current $12,000 to the new amount of $30,000.
- Specialty contractor bonds will rise from the current $6,000 to $15,000.
- The higher bonds generally aren’t required until registration comes up for renewal.
- Liability insurance requirements remain the same.
- Electrical and plumbing contractor licenses are not affected by the legislation.
- Fees are increasing as well, including the new application and renewal fee rising to $132.60
Please note: L&I never calls contractors over the phone asking for payment to reinstate contractor registration. There has been an increase in customer reports that scammers are falsely claiming to be from L&I and are demanding they pay money over the phone to ensure their contractor registration remains valid. You can check the status of your contractor registration at Lni.wa.gov/Verify.
For details, see the bond FAQs or contact Contractor Registration at 1-800-647-0982 or contreg@Lni.wa.gov
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The SHIP Hasn’t Sailed Yet: Safety & Health Investment Projects (SHIP) Grant Application Open Through Aug. 16, 2024
Do you have a great idea to keep Washington workers and workplaces safe and healthy?
If you do, L&I may be able to help you turn that idea into a reality! Accepting applications now through Aug. 16, 2024, the Safety & Health Investment Projects Grant funds ideas that prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, as well as projects for developing and implementing an effective and innovative Return-to-Work (RTW) program for injured workers.
Past grants have been used to:
- Develop smartphone apps
- Create projects to prevent injuries to special education teachers
- Develop a manual to help reduce cancer risk for firefighters
Head over to the L&I website for more information on the grant and funding process.
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Trivial Tidbit #3
The Lewis & Clark Expedition lasted 2 years and 4 months.
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Workplace Rights Refresher
Nothing’s quite as refreshing as an ice cold lemonade on a hot summer day, but what we’ve got instead is a refresher on some workplace rights!
Here are some workplace rights to keep in mind:
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New Regional Minimum Wage Goes Into Effect for Renton
Currently, the state minimum wage is $16.28 per hour. However, did you know there are variances across the state?
If you have employees in a region where the minimum wage is higher than the state’s, the more favorable minimum wage must be paid to the employee. Minimum wage variances are in place in:
*Starting July 1, 2024 Renton will join the list at $18.29/hr. for employers with 15-500 employees (or who gross more than $2M annually) and $20.29 for employers with over 500 employees and certain franchises. Check the minimum wage section of our website and the city of Renton website for updates.
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Trivial Tidbit #4
The parachute was invented before the plane.
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3rd Quarter Webinars for Small Businesses
L&I Essentials for Business webinars cover:
- essentials about workers' compensation, quarterly reporting, what to do if your employee is injured, workplace safety and health requirements, wage and hour laws, and contractor registration rules;
- how to access a range of L&I resources and services designed to help your business save time and money; and
- various ways L&I partners with you to keep your workforce safe and healthy.
Upcoming monthly 80-minute L&I Essentials for Business Webinars will be held:
In-person L&I Essentials for Business Workshops will be held:
Webinars are also available in Spanish (Fundamentos de L&I para negocios - Talleres en línea):
Other L&I Webinars for Employers:
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