State and Federal Ergonomics Rules

The state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) issued final specific rules on ergonomics on May 26, 2000.  The rules were repealed by Initiative 841, passed by the state's voters in November 2003, and, also by that initiative, the department of Labor and Industries was directed not to adopt new regulation unless required to do so by uniform federal standards. However, by a supreme court decision, Supervalu Holdings v. Department of Labor and Industries, 158 Wn. 2d 422 (2006),  the Department of Labor and Industries is still able to address serious or deadly ergonomics-related workplace hazards under the general authority given the Department by RCW 49.17.060(1).

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) ergonomic rules have been repealed by act of Congress (Public Law No. 107-5), signed by President Bush in March 2001.