https://lni.wa.gov/rss-news.xml News Releases en-US 2026-04-17T05:22:27 TUKWILA – A Seattle manufacturer of batteries for trains, boats, forklifts, and golf carts is facing nearly $225,000 in fines from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) after knowingly exposing workers to lead levels more than four times the safe limit and not fixing the problem.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-05 2026-04-09 ARLINGTON — An Arlington man who worked for two out-of-state companies is facing a theft charge in connection with a Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) workers’ compensation fraud investigation.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-04 2026-03-25 TUMWATER — A Puget Sound asbestos removal contractor is facing more than $200,000 in fines for knowingly exposing workers to extremely hazardous conditions while at the same time indicating to state inspectors that the site was perfectly safe.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-03 2026-02-17 SEATTLE — A Renton bus driver faces a felony theft charge for taking time loss payments and receiving other benefits meant for injured workers while at the same time allegedly working multiple jobs.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-02 2026-01-27 TUMWATER — For the 20th straight year, falls from heights are the most cited serious workplace safety violation by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-01 2026-01-15 TUMWATER — A crew of concrete workers were put in a very dangerous spot that could have had tragic results during a recent home build in Spokane. Now, two construction companies are facing a combined $300,000 in fines for exposing them to life-threatening cave-ins and excavation hazards.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-35 2025-12-30 TUMWATER — A round of changes affecting Washington workers’ pay and improving workplace safety goes into effect on Jan. 1.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-36 2025-12-30 TUMWATER — The recent historic floods will require major cleanup efforts. Unfortunately, that also brings the risk of shady contractors who make promises and take money for work they never intend to do. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is warning homeowners to safeguard against contractor scams by using ProtectMyHome.net.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-34 2025-12-17 TUMWATER — The Rotschy Inc. construction company is facing just over $170,000 in fines after a 3,000-pound equipment bucket fell off the arm of an excavator, crushing a worker at a southwest Washington jobsite.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-33 2025-12-03 TUMWATER — The average cost of workers’ compensation insurance in Washington for 2026 will go up 4.9 percent, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced today.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-32 2025-11-26 TUMWATER — State inspectors participating in a two-day enforcement effort verified the registration of more than 500 contractors and tradespeople but caught 41 working in construction without state licensing or registration.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-31 2025-11-20 TUMWATER — New tower crane safety rules filed this month will help make workers and the public safer.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-30 2025-11-19 SEATTLE — An Auburn woman’s recent conviction for pension fraud will save at least $1.3 million in pension payments so the funds can be used for truly injured workers.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-29 2025-10-30 SKAGIT COUNTY — A Skagit County dairy worker who falsely claimed he was too injured to work has pleaded guilty to illegally taking workers’ compensation payments.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-28 2025-10-06 TUMWATER — Washington’s minimum wage will rise 2.8 percent next year, to $17.13 an hour. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced the increase today; it takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-27 2025-09-30 SPOKANE — Because of their quick, decisive, and compassionate reactions to everyday emergencies they came across while on the job, nineteen workplace heroes are receiving Governor’s Lifesaving Awards this week.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-26 2025-09-23 TUMWATER — Safety violations that put workers at serious risk have resulted in numerous citations and a major fine for a Vancouver, Wash. excavating company.  

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-25 2025-09-18 TUMWATER − The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing a 4.9 percent rise in the average hourly rate employers and workers pay for workers’ compensation insurance in 2026.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-24 2025-09-16 TUMWATER — Sunny skies and warm weather bring out the birds, bees, and paving scammers.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-23 2025-09-08 TUMWATER — A company in the residential solar panel installation industry is repeatedly failing to protect its workers from the risk of falling off the roofs they work on. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently fined Purelight Power LLC more than $250,000 for the latest violations. 

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-22 2025-08-07 TUMWATER — Hot temperatures and wildfire smoke are making for hazardous conditions for outdoor workers in our state.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-21 2025-07-15 TUMWATER — A sawmill with a history of safety violations is facing $153,000 in fines after a workplace injury lead to a worker’s fingertip having to be amputated.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-20 2025-07-14 TUMWATER – A change taking effect today greatly expands workplace protections involving equal pay and promotion discrimination to a much broader range of workers in Washington.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-19 2025-07-01 TUMWATER — Many injured workers collecting benefits under Washington’s workers’ compensation system will see an increase of 6.8 percent in their time-loss and pension payments.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-18 2025-07-01 EVERETT — A contractor faces charges of felony theft and tax evasion after allegedly cheating some Western Washington homeowners out of half a million dollars for construction work she never started.

]]> https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-17 2025-06-26