Owners and operators of petroleum refineries and petrochemical manufacturing facilities must ensure contractors and subcontractors working for them use only apprentices and journeypersons who have had 20 hours of advanced safety training from a course approved by L&I.
Refinery Worker Training and Certification in High Hazard Facilities (Chapter 296-71 WAC) requires:
- Skilled and trained workers to complete 20 hours of advanced safety training every three years.
- Owners and operators of these facilities must document that the employees of all contractors and subcontractors working onsite are either registered apprentices or skilled journeypersons.
- A registered apprentice is:
- An active apprentice in a Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC)-approved apprenticeship program.
- A skilled journeyperson is someone who:
- Has either graduated from a WSATC-approved apprenticeship program for the applicable occupation or has at least as many hours of on-the-job experience as would be required to graduate; and
- Is paid a rate commensurate with a rate typically paid for the occupation, and no less than the 75th percentile in the applicable occupation and geographic area in the most recent occupational employment statistics published by the Employment Security Department.
- A registered apprentice is:
- A phased-in schedule for percentages of skilled journeyperson who must be graduates from a WSATC-approved apprenticeship program:
ESHB 1817/RCW 49.80 Implementation Schedule
| Implementation Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2020 | The skilled and trained worker requirements apply to work performed under contracts awarded, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2020. The applicable requirements in place are:
|
| January 1, 2021 | The skilled and trained worker requirements apply to work performed under contracts awarded before January 1, 2020. The applicable requirements in place are:
|
| January 1, 2022 | New requirements in place:
|
| January 1, 2023 | New requirement in place:
|
| January 1, 2024 | New requirement in place:
|
In order to work at a petroleum refinery or petrochemical manufacturing facility, any registered apprentice or skilled journeyperson (as defined in WAC 296-71-003) must have a Course Completion Certificate. The certificate is issued after completing an approved 20-hour advanced safety training course.
How can I find an approved training course?
You must choose an HHFP-approved course. A list is at the end of this page. Sponsors of approved courses will have a letter of approval issued from the HHFP.
Who issues certificates?
L&I issues the certificate via email. The certificate is good for three years.
How do I renew my certification?
To renew, complete another 20-hour approved course.
Reciprocity
States with recognized 20-hour high hazard facilities training certifications:
- California
Approved Advanced Safety Training Courses
Boilermakers Local 502
Phone: 253-435-0330
Email: manthony502@comcast.net
Website: www.boilermakers502.org
Training Location:
- 16621 110th Ave E
Puyallup, WA 98374
Finishing Trades Institute Northwest (FTINW)
Phone: 206-762-8332
Email: marks@ftinw.org
Website: www.ftinw.org
Training Location:
- 6770 E. Marginal Way S.
Bldg E. Ste 102
Seattle, WA 98108
Heat & Frost Insulators Local 7
Phone: 425-235-7827
Email: Kinsman@local7insulators.org
Website: www.local7insulators.org
Training Locations:
- Renton Technical College
3000 NE 4th Street
Renton, WA 98056 - Plumbers & Steam Fitter Local 26 hall
780 Chrysler Dr
Burlington, WA 98233
Integrity Safety
Phone: 360-299-1208
Email: info@integritysafety.com
Website: www.integritysafety.com
Training and Testing Offices:
-
Vancouver – Corporate
13912 NE 20th Ave Suite 201
Vancouver, WA 98686
360-574-6071 -
Anacortes
12389 Reservation RD Suite B
Anacortes, WA 98221
360-299-1208
- Ferndale
7049 Kickerville RD
Ferndale, WA 98248
360-778-1841
Northwest Laborers Employers Training Trust
27055 Ohio Ave NE
Kingston, WA 98346
Phone: 1-800-240-9112
Website: www.nwlett.org
Training locations:
- Fox Hall Best Western
1661 W Bakerview Rd,
Bellingham, WA 98226 - Holiday Inn and Suites
4260 Mitchell Way
Bellingham, WA 98226 - Local 252T
4803 S. M Street
Tacoma, WA 98408
NW WA Electrical Industry JATC
Phone: 360-428-5080
Email: theresa@nwejatc.org
Website: www.nwejatc.org
Training Location:
- 306 Anderson Road
Mt Vernon, WA 98273
Operating Engineers Regional Training Program OERTP
Phone: 509-968-3203
Email: jbennett@oetraining.com
Website: www.oetraining.com
Training locations:
- IUOE local 302 union hall in Bothell
- IUOE local 612 union hall in Tacoma
Refinery Pass 20 Hour High Hazard Facility Training
Phone: 925-470-7987
Email: Rick@RefineryPass.com
Website: RefineryPass.com
P.O. Box 187
Crestline, CA 92325
Training locations: TBD
Southwest Mountain States Carpenters Training Fund (SWMSCTF)
Phone: (360) 525-9419 ext. 1086
Email: jcrump@swmsctf.org
Website: www.swmsctf.org
Training Location:
- 20424 72nd Ave S
Kent ,WA 98032
Who can apply?
Any person or entity can sponsor a 20-hour advanced safety training course designed to certify workers for work at petroleum refineries or petrochemical manufacturing facilities.
What is required?
Training courses must offer in-person and laboratory instruction and satisfy the requirements outlined in the rule, WAC 296-71-030. Courses should also cover the general and specific content specified in Appendix A (Note - This updated Appendix A reflects clarification intended to assist training providers preparing curriculum and to avoid unintended jurisdiction issues. A copy of the original version of Appendix A can be found in Chapter 296-71 WAC).
The course sponsor must get approval for their course from DOSH’s High Hazard Facilities Program (HHFP) before conducting training sessions. Approvals last three years and can be renewed for another three years after that.
How do I get my course approved?
Follow these steps and refer to WAC 296-71-030 and Appendix A for further details.
1. Submit course content.
- Create a MyL&I account OR gain HHF access through your existing MyL&I account
- Once you gain access to enter the portal, submit your materials using that system.
2. Wait at least 60 days (or 30 days if renewing) for your submission to get evaluated.
- During this period, the HHFP will review content for accuracy, adequacy, training techniques, instructor competency, student evaluation forms, and other requirements.
- You will receive letter of approval by email from the HHFP when the evaluation is done.
What’s next after I get course approval?
Sponsors must submit every scheduled class session with date, time, and location in the HHFP portal at least 14-days before the scheduled start date of a training session.
When you conduct training, keep in mind:
- An HHFP representative may observe training for verification purposes.
- Limit training sessions to no more than 50 students and ensure you have 2 instructors if you have more than 25 students.
- You are required to keep a class roster of participants that complete training and must submit that roster to the HHFP within 10 days after the course.
- You must retain records and allow the HHFP reasonable access for a minimum of 4 years; and, notify the HHFP if you no longer will conduct training- this gives L&I the opportunity to obtain and preserve training records.
Questions & Answers (Q&A)
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Apprenticeship Questions & Answers clarifies application and enforcement of rule requirements pertaining to the minimal number of qualified journey workers.
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Skilled Journeyperson Wage Rates Questions & Answers explains wage rates and related requirements.
L&I Rules and Policy
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Refinery Worker Training and Certification in High Hazard Facilities (Chapter 296-71 WAC) establishes requirements for refinery worker training and certification in petroleum refineries and petrochemical manufacturing facilities.
- Skilled and Trained Workforce in High Hazard Facilities (DOSH Directive 24.70) provides enforcement instruction to L&I inspection staff.
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Rulemaking Stakeholder Information provides background about how the rule, Chapter 296-71 WAC, came about, and details the rulemaking process from start to adoption.