Safety & Health

TUMWATER — A Pasco farm labor contractor faces almost $140,000 in fines for violations uncovered during a Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) investigation.

TUMWATER — If you’ve flown on an airplane, chances are you’ve looked out the window to see baggage handlers lifting, bending, and reaching to load and unload heavy luggage.

Strains, sprains and other injuries that come from that kind of repetitive movement — known as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) — are among the most common workplace injuries in Washington. Scheduled airline ground crews, including baggage handlers and maintenance workers, file injury claims for WMSDs at more than 10 times the statewide average.

TUMWATER — The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries L&I) has cited and fined a mill operator in Camas following an investigation into the death of a worker who was crushed by a packing machine that had no guards in place to keep people out of harm’s way.

TUMWATER – Unguarded saw blades, spraying flammable glue next to ignition sources, and not taking steps to make sure dangerous machinery wouldn’t start up unexpectedly: Those are a few of the safety hazards at a Ridgefield cabinet company whose owner has shrugged off the problems for almost six years.