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In 2023, the Washington State Legislature authorized the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to adopt ergonomic rules to prevent strains, sprains, and other work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in industries or risk classes that have a compensable workers’ compensation claim rate greater than two times the statewide rate (RCW 49.17.520). L&I can only adopt one rule within a 12-month period for either an industry or a risk classification.

L&I filed a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) on October 29, 2024, to initiate rulemaking to develop rules to address the hazards of WMSDs in the Scheduled Airlines - Ground Crew Operations, Risk Class 6802 (WAC 296-17A-6802).

As this is the first industry/risk class-specific rulemaking effort, with others to follow, the rule development process is starting with two scoping conversations: broad scoping conversations with all industries to gather input from interested parties on key components that L&I should consider for future industry/risk class specific rules, and scoping conversations specific to scheduled airline ground crew risk class (see the “Ergonomic Rule Development Roadmap”). As a reminder, the first broad scoping meeting for interested parties from all industries is on January 9, 2025.

Upcoming Meeting:
L&I will hold the first scheduled airline meeting on January 22, 2025, for interested parties specifically from the Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crew Operations risk class. The purpose of this meeting is to gather input from employers and employees in the Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crew Operations risk class on any issues, concerns, and industry best practices. The presentation will be on the Ergonomics, Scheduled Airlines Ground Crew Operations Rulemaking webpage at least one week prior to the meeting.

Scoping Questions:
L&I is requesting input from employers and employees in the Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crew Operations risk class. Time will be available to share your feedback to the scoping questions at the January 22 meeting or you can submit written feedback via email by February 14, 2025, to RulemakingErgo@Lni.wa.gov. 

1. What issues do you think L&I should consider as they develop proposed rules for ergonomics in the scheduled airline ground crew operation risk class?

2. Do you have any specific concerns you want L&I to be aware of as we start this rulemaking?

3. Are there best practices for addressing WMSD hazards, whether for the airline industry in general or for specific employers in the risk class? Information on best practices can include:
     • Best practices for overall WMSD prevention, including approaches to identifying, assessing and fixing WMSD hazards.
     • Best practices related to specific WMSD hazards, such as baggage handling.
     • Best practices related to employee training.
     • Best practices for involving employees in identifying, assessing, and fixing WMSD hazards and evaluating the effectiveness of the fixes.
     • Experiences implementing best practices or other information related to best practices that would be helpful to share.

4. Is there other information you want to share with L&I as this process starts?

Contact information:
For questions about this rulemaking, please email RulemakingErgo@Lni.wa.gov. 

Please see the Ergonomics, Scheduled Airlines Ground Crew Operations Rulemaking Activity Information Page for more information regarding this rulemaking.

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