Worker Health and Safety

The Washington State Legislature enacted the Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act in 1984 to help people understand the potential dangers of hazardous substances where they work and live. The law's purpose is to protect the safety and health of people at work and at home.

A hazardous substance is any chemical or mixture of chemicals that can hurt people physically or cause health problems. Most industrial chemicals are hazardous.

State and federal laws require employers to communicate hazards and provide safety training to workers. Information on health hazards, proper handling, disposal, and shipping must be made available to workers by their employer. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for products must be accessible to employees.

In Washington, workers should contact Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) for

• Reporting an emergency work situation: 1-800-423-7233 or 360-902-5459
• Confidential reporting of unsafe work conditions
• Worker Health and Safety Topics A - Z
• A Workers Guide to Hazardous Chemicals
• Safety training and materials for workers and employers
• Información en español

More information

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Pest Management Resource Service; applicator training Washington State University (WSU)
• National Agricultural Safety Database (NASD)

For more information, please contact us.

ToxicFreeTips@ecy.wa.gov

Toll-free: (866) 939-9991

Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Or leave a message 24 hours/day

The Washington Department of Ecology funds this website with State Toxics Control Account funds and Worker-Right-to-Know fees.