Occupational safety and health

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awarded the Labor & Industries Washington Department a $10.844 million Block Grant under the Occupational Safety and Health State Program (CFDA 17.503) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This funding supports Washington State's federally approved occupational safety and health program, which delivers a comprehensive range of workplace safety services including enforcement activities, outreach initiatives, employee and employer training programs, and compliance assistance services. As one of 29 state agencies nationwide operating under an OSHA-approved State Plan, Washington utilizes this grant to administer occupational safety and health protections across the state's public and private sectors, with the federal award covering up to 50 percent of total program costs.

The grant represents a continuation of Washington's long-standing partnership with OSHA in advancing worker protections and labor market initiatives. State-administered programs like Washington's operate under the requirement that their occupational safety and health standards and enforcement be maintained at levels "at least as effective" as the federal OSHA program. The funding enables the state to carry out inspections, investigations, and compliance assistance activities that protect employers and workers engaged in interstate commerce, supporting workplace safety across diverse industries throughout Washington State.