Wash. Admin. Code § 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

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-900-12015

Amended by WSR 17-18-075, Filed 9/5/2017, effective 10/6/2017 Amended by WSR 25-03-091, Filed 1/16/2025, effective 2/17/2025

Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 06-06-020, § 296-900-12015, filed 2/21/06, effective 6/1/06.