This is a professional series within the Department of Labor & Industries that is required to successfully maintain the federally approved state occupational safety and health program and meet the authorizing statute, Chapter 49.17 RCW, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act at the Department of Labor and Industries. This series represents the predominant professional classifications necessary to maintain federal requirements and approval in regards to consultation, internal training, rulemaking, policy development, Voluntary Protection Program, Safety Through Achieving Recognition Together, education and outreach, and safety and health discrimination. The work includes assisting and ensuring employers understand how to meet safety and health requirements, general duty clauses and employee safety laws, rules and regulations and to reduce hazards in their workplaces. Work also includes developing safety and health policies, rules, and laws, evaluating and addressing safety and health discrimination allegations.

In institutions of higher education, positions conduct field and laboratory investigations of facilities, equipment, and environment to assess occupational hygiene hazards; evaluations of HE institution’s workplaces to assess existing and potential occupational health hazards; and/or develop and coordinate major components of an industrial hygiene program such as management of toxic materials, hazardous wastes, and/or surveillance of employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.

This is the entry level of the series. Positions work under direct supervision and assist higher level positions in assignments related to occupational safety and health or industrial hygiene.

Organizes, writes and drafts reports;

Makes independent decisions in the field regarding code interpretation and application;

Advises employers and employees regarding probable abatement strategies;

Assists consultation staff with worksite survey/evaluations, identification of hazards and advising employers of methods to eliminate unsafe work practices and procedures;

Assists in developing and presenting safety and health training programs for employers and labor or industry groups;

Assists in planning and implementing occupational safety and health programs;

Evaluates worksites for suspected occupational safety and health hazards and/or work areas containing potential safety and health hazards;

Performs other work as required.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

New class, consolidates 4753 Environmental Health & Safety Technician, 43170 Safety and Health Specialist 1 – L&I; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Revised salary range, class concept, typical work, and desirable qualifications; adopted June 30, 2017, effective July 1, 2017.
Revised title, class series concept, definition, typical work, legal requirements and desirable qualifications, added distinguishing characteristics and knowledge and abilities; adopted June 22, 2023; effective July 1, 2023.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.