Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) account for nearly one-third of all workers’ compensation claims that result in time loss, are more severe than the average nonfatal injury or illness, and are a common cause of long-term disability in the state.

In 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed RCW 49.17.520, allowing L&I to adopt rules to prevent WMSDs in industries or risk classes that see workers compensation claims for WMSDs at least two times the overall state rate. Only one rule for either an industry or risk classification can be adopted within a 12-month period. L&I selected Scheduled Airlines - Ground Crew Operations, Risk Class 6802, which has a WMSD claim rate of more than 10 times the overall state rate, for the first rulemaking effort.

As directed by RCW 49.17.520, L&I published an initial report of industries and risk classifications eligible for rulemaking in November 2023, identifying 31 high priority industries and risk classes most likely to be selected for future rulemaking. The 2023 high priority list was then narrowed to five industries and risk classes, with the final selection for the first rulemaking effort being Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crew Operations, Risk Class 6802.

The rule will cover WMSD hazards for ground crew workers employed by businesses operating scheduled airlines who are assigned the risk class 6802 in L&I’s workers’ compensation system, excluding those in subclass 6802-01, as required by RCW 49.17.520(d).

Learn more about the Ergonomics rulemaking.

L&I has proposed the following timeline for adopting rules:

Upcoming Meetings

Meeting Information

Topic: Scoping Discussions for interested parties specifically from the Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crew Operations risk class
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 (virtual)
Time: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Registration on Zoom is required

Interpretation services for this meeting can be provided at no cost. You can send an email to Cathy Coates, or call 360-280-2003, to request interpretation services by close of business January 17, 2025.

Meeting Materials

• Meeting presentation January 22, 2025

Scoping Questions

L&I is requesting input from employers and employees in the Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crew Operations risk class on the following scoping questions:

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, and
   • 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?

Please submit written feedback to the scoping questions via email by February 14, 2025, to RulemakingErgo@Lni.wa.gov.

Previous Meetings

January 9, 2025​ (virtual)

Meeting Materials

• First scoping meeting presentation January 2025

Scoping Questions

L&I is asking for input from interested parties across all industries/risk classes on the first set of scoping questions.

1. What concerns do you have as L&I starts the first rulemaking?
2. What information should L&I discuss at future meetings? Is there specific information L&I should prioritize for the next meeting?
3. What other information do you think L&I should be considering as the first rulemaking is starting?
4. As L&I starts the rulemaking process for industry/risk class-specific rules, should L&I strive for consistency in developing the rules? How should L&I consider differences in industries/risk classes?
5. Should the industry/risk class-specific rules cover all WMSD risk factors, or should L&I look to industry/risk class information and data to identify those hazards most associated with the risk of injury?

Please submit written feedback to the scoping questions via email by January 27, 2025, to RulemakingErgo@Lni.wa.gov.

Preproposal rule filing

• Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) October 29, 2024

Background information

• Ergonomic Rulemaking for Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crew Operations: Questions and Answers
• Ergonomic Rule Development Roadmap
• RCW 49.17.520
• Initial Report of Industries and Risk Classifications Eligible for Rulemaking, 2023

As directed by RCW 49.17.520(6), an advisory committee will be assembled, representing equal parts business and labor representatives in the Scheduled Airlines – Ground Crews Risk Class, to provide recommendations to L&I during the rules development process.

L&I will be working with scheduled airline industry employers as well as workers and impacted labor unions on identifying advisory committee members.