FERNDALE, Wash. – 42nd District Senator Doug Ericksen says L&I doesn’t have emergency authority to fine businesses who violate Governor Jay Inslee’s safe start plan.
The Ferndale Republican is calling for the immediate repeal of an emergency rule adopted this week that allows the agency to levy fines of up to $10,000 for businesses that reopen before the governor’s office gives them the go-ahead.
Labor and Industries spokesperson Tim Church says they are simply promoting workplace safety.
Church tells KGMI, “with the fact that we have authority to inspect sites and fine employers, and coronavirus is a work place safety hazard, we feel strongly that we are doing the right thing here.”
He says they are asking businesses to the right thing and fines would be a last resort.
Ericksen has called for a special legislative session to address the issue.