Hurt on the job? There's a new provider network for you.

If you get injured on the job, there's a new medical provider network available to you as of this week.

Back in 2011, Governor Gregoire signed legislation that passed both the House and Senate nearly unanimously. This legislation required the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to create a provider network, and for participating providers to adhere to certain standards to ensure injured workers get the highest quality care.

An injured worker's initial medical visit can be to any provider or emergency room, but subsequent visits must be with a network provider in order to be covered by workers compensation.

This change will improve quality of care because providers within the L&I network will be required to have certain credentials and to follow evidence-based guidelines for treating patients. The goal is to help people get back to work as safely and quickly as possible.

It shouldn't be too hard to find a provider within the network - there are currently over 9,300 of them, with more being added each day. This online directory lists all of them, and L&I can also help you find a provider in your area if you aren't sure which one to see.

The Tri-City Herald published an article about this new network today, which you can read here.

Washing tons of hazardous gunk out of our lives best be a top priority

Here's a delicious refrain that moms (and all good, upright dads, too) can always be counted on to sing out strong: Washing up after tasks large and small is the only real way to put a safe distance between oneself and potentially hazardous materials. No matter, my friend, if it's job-safety in the workplace or good-health practices on the home front, there's no substitute for washing up.

A very recent state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) press release reminds us that it takes but an instant of inattention, a single careless moment of one dropping one's guard for tragedy to strike. Serious, permanent injury awaits, looms for those who would dare dodge the simple, common-sense policies and procedures for safety at home and abroad.

Too, you had better believe that in the 2013 legislative session the House Labor & Workforce Development Committee will continue discussing the right ways and means for promoting high standards in workplace safety and health. Indeed, with their final pre-session update set in a Friday, Nov. 30, committee meeting, panel members are looking forward to a thorough update in this arena, including labor and business comments. The meeting will get started at 8 a.m. in House Hearing Room C, John L. O'Brien Building, right here on your Capitol Campus.

Also, Labor & Industries is holding a series of workshops (intended specifically for employers) both to bring folks up to speed on the law, in general, and to nail down hazards in the workplace, in particular. These free workshops will talk about 1) The best techniques for emergency hand-washing and eyewashing after an accident, and 2) The best techniques for preventing these accidents from even happening in the first place. The upcoming workshop schedule is:

• Mount Vernon — Wednesday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to noon.
• Kelso — Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Spokane — Tuesday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to noon.
• Tacoma — Thursday, Dec. 20, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Mount Vernon — Thursday, Jan. 10, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tukwila — Wednesday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be other workshops in 2013. To learn more and/or to register for a workshop (pre-registration is required, by the by), please click Emergency Washing Workshop, or call 1-800-574-2829.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Worker deaths hit historic lows

The number of people dying due to workplace injuries hit an all-time low in Washington state during 2011 – despite our state having a higher population than ever before.

The Department of Labor and Industries says 51 workers died on the job last year.

While even one death is a tragedy for the worker and family members left behind, businesses and the state have worked hard on improving safety. Thankfully, worker safety is better.

Photo credit: Hazard_general

A total of 51 deaths is far less than the historical average of 80 to 90 work-related deaths per year. It’s much better than even the previous low of 65 worker deaths, back in 2009.

The most dangerous jobs are typically those in farming, forestry, fishing, manufacturing and construction.

Want more? You can read the full Labor and Industry report here, via the series of tubes.

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.