About WISHA

The Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) is Washington’s independent state health and safety plan for workplaces. It enforces many similar regulations to OSHA’s generic health and safety plan with a couple of additional components and more stringent requirements that apply to local state policies and circumstances. If you own a veterinary, dental, or medical business in Washington, familiarizing yourself with WISHA will help you solidify your compliance and optimize your office in many ways, from performance to safety.

What Is WISHA?

WISHA is Washington’s state health and safety plan. It features a mix of protocols established by OSHA, Washington’s Labor and Industry (L&I), and the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH). It covers many pertinent workplace concerns and procedures, enforcing multiple workplace requirements. WISHA rules only apply to those in Washington state.

WISHA Regulations

WISHA regulations provide many prevention methods and protocols to guarantee a safer and healthier work environment. WISHA compliance is mandatory for almost all employers in Washington, with the exception of a select few. It requires your business to undergo workplace inspections, provides staff with substantial safety training, and continues regular health and safety education in the office.

Regulations cover core health and safety topics. These include the risks and prevention of bloodborne pathogens, fire safety, electrical safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), hazardous waste control and exposure, and emergency action plans. WISHA rules also include Washington’s independent safety and training requirements:

WISHA’s emergency preparedness and response guidance for pandemic influenza
Overview of inspection statistics
Adherence to WISHA’s compliance checklist
Use of specific labeling and protocol methods
Mandated first-aid training for all employees
Ergonomics

WISHA Training and Compliance

Compared to OSHA, WISHA violations follow different clauses and varying penalties. Failure to provide your workplace with effective health and safety training puts you at risk of multiple dangers and violation citations. Learning about WISHA and supplying adequate training programs ensures your workplace operates with maximum safety, allowing your business to reap the benefits. Check out Gamma Compliance’s WISHA training programs and meet all of Washington’s health and safety requirements.