Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) investigations found numerous workplace safety violations in connection with two separate incidents. WDFW was officially notified of the findings last week. 

Mary Valentine, a 48-year-old Fish and Wildlife scientific technician, drowned in January while working at a fish trap on the Duckabush River in Brinnon. 

A month later, two WDFW scientific technicians ended up in the water after their boat capsized at the Nisqually River fish trap near Yelm. One of the workers went to the hospital after hitting his head on the underside of the trap. 

The department uses fish traps in rivers and streams to determine the abundance, timing, and diversity of migrating juvenile salmon.  

The new citations come on the heels of L&I citing and fining Fish and Wildlife in March for multiple violations in connection with the 2023 drowning of 31-year-old fisheries biologist Erin Peterson while working on the Wind River in Skamania County.

A lack of safety training
L&I cited Fish and Wildlife for willful violations in connection with both of the most recent incidents. A violation is classified as willful when an employer knew or should have known the safety requirements, but did not follow them. The L&I investigations found that training programs did not exist or were not implemented across WDFW, and employees were not provided the necessary training they needed for their work in outdoor environments.

“We’re saddened by the loss of our fellow state workers, said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The right training can greatly reduce risk in dangerous outdoor environments.

“Employers have the duty to make sure workers recognize the hazards of their job and what they need to do to protect themselves. We hope these investigations help Fish and Wildlife to ensure a culture where all workers are trained to stay safe.”

Other violations cited included not providing or requiring the use of approved personal flotation devices, using rigging and straps that were damaged or improperly put together, and not providing training for the use of chainsaws.

Citations result in penalties
In all, the Duckabush River fatality resulted in nine violations and $114,000 in penalties. The Nisqually River investigation found four violations and resulted in $86,400 in penalties.

L&I cited and fined WDFW $30,800.00 in March for inadequate field communications and not ensuring workers were wearing approved personal flotation devices following the 2023 fatality. Fish and Wildlife did not appeal any of the citations. 

Penalties paid as a result of a citation go into the workers' compensation supplemental pension fund, helping injured workers and families of those who have died on the job.