RCW 49.17.120
Violations—Citations.
(1) If upon inspection or investigation the director or his or her authorized representative believes that an employer has violated a requirement of RCW 49.17.060, or any safety or health standard promulgated by rule adopted by the director, or the conditions of any order granting a variance pursuant to this chapter, the director shall with reasonable promptness issue a citation to the employer. Each citation shall be in writing and shall describe with particularity the nature of the violation, including a reference to the provisions of the statute, standard, rule, regulation, or order alleged to have been violated. In addition, the citation shall fix a reasonable time for the abatement of the violation.
(2) The director may prescribe procedures for the issuance of a notice in lieu of a citation with respect to de minimis violations which have no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health.
(3) Each citation, or a copy or copies thereof, issued under the authority of this section and RCW 49.17.130 shall be prominently posted, at or near each place a violation referred to in the citation occurred or as may otherwise be prescribed in regulations issued by the director. The director shall provide by rule for procedures to be followed by an employee representative upon written application to receive copies of citations and notices issued to any employer having employees who are represented by such employee representative. Such rule may prescribe the form of such application, the time for renewal of applications, and the eligibility of the applicant to receive copies of citations and notices.
(4) No citation may be issued under this section or RCW 49.17.130 after the expiration of six months following a compliance inspection, investigation, or survey revealing any such violation.
(5)(a) No citation may be issued under this section if there is unpreventable employee misconduct that led to the violation, but the employer must show the existence of:
(i) A thorough safety program, including work rules, training, and equipment designed to prevent the violation;
(ii) Adequate communication of these rules to employees;
(iii) Steps to discover and correct violations of its safety rules; and
(iv) Effective enforcement of its safety program as written in practice and not just in theory.
(b) This subsection (5) does not eliminate or modify any other defenses that may exist to a citation.
[ 1999 c 93 § 1; 1973 c 80 § 12.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 49.17 - Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.
49.17.022 - Legislative findings and intent—Definition of agriculture.
49.17.030 - Application of chapter—Fees and charges.
49.17.040 - Rules and regulations—Authority—Procedure.
49.17.050 - Rules and regulations—Guidelines—Standards.
49.17.060 - Employer—General safety standard—Compliance.
49.17.070 - Right of entry—Inspections and investigations—Subpoenas—Contempt.
49.17.080 - Variance from safety and health standards—Application—Contents—Procedure.
49.17.100 - Inspection—Employer and employee representatives.
49.17.110 - Compliance by employee—Violations—Notice—Review.
49.17.120 - Violations—Citations.
49.17.150 - Appeal to superior court—Review or enforcement of orders.
49.17.170 - Injunctions—Temporary restraining orders.
49.17.180 - Violations—Civil penalties.
49.17.190 - Violations—Criminal penalties.
49.17.200 - Confidentiality—Trade secrets.
49.17.220 - Records—Reports—Notice to employee exposed to harmful materials.
49.17.230 - Compliance with federal act—Agreements and acceptance of grants authorized.
49.17.240 - Safety and health standards.
49.17.243 - Safety and health investment projects—Grants or contracts—Rules.
49.17.250 - Voluntary compliance program—Consultation and advisory services.
49.17.260 - Statistics—Investigations—Reports.
49.17.270 - Administration of chapter.
49.17.285 - Medical monitoring—Records on covered pesticides—Reports.
49.17.288 - Cholinesterase monitoring—Reports.
49.17.300 - Temporary worker housing—Electricity—Storage, handling, preparation of food—Rules.
49.17.310 - Temporary worker housing—Licensing, operation, and inspection—Rules—Definition.
49.17.360 - Ergonomics Initiative—Intent.
49.17.370 - Ergonomics Initiative—Definition—Rule repeal.
49.17.400 - Construction crane safety—Definitions.
49.17.410 - Construction crane safety—Application.
49.17.420 - Construction crane certification program—Rules—Certificate of operation.
49.17.440 - Construction crane safety—Rules—Implementation.
49.17.465 - Handling hazardous drugs—Health care facilities—Rules.
49.17.480 - Asbestos plan requirements in RCW 70A.450.070(1)(b)—Penalties.
49.17.485 - Personal protective devices and equipment—Public health emergency.
49.17.490 - Temporary workers—Safety—Staffing agency and worksite employer duties.