TUMWATER, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) investigations found multiple workplace safety violations that were tied to two separate incidents with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
According to a press release, WDFW was officially notified of the findings last week.
The first incident involved 48-year-old Mary Valentine, who was a Fish and Wildlife scientific technician. She drowned in January while working at a fish trap on the Duckabush River in Brinnon.
The second incident occurred a month later. Two WDFW scientific technicians fell in the water after their boat capsized at the Nisqually River fish trap near Yelm. WDFW uses fish traps in rivers and streams to help them determine the abundance, timing, and diversity of migrating juvenile salmon.
One of the workers hit their head on the underside of the trap and was later taken to the hospital.
The WDFW was cited and fined in March for multiple violations that were tied to the 2023 drowning of 31-year-old fisheries biologist Erin Peterson while working on the Wind River in Skamania County, according to the press release.
L&I cited WDFW for willful violations due to the connection to the most recent incidents.
A violation can be considered willful when an employer knew or should have known the safety requirements, but chose to not follow them.
The L&I investigations found that there were no training programs, or they were not being implemented across WDFW. The employees were not provided with the necessary training they needed in order to work in outdoor environments safely.
“We’re saddened by the loss of our fellow state workers," said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. "The right training can greatly reduce risk in dangerous outdoor environments."
“Employers have the duty to make sure workers recognize the hazards of their job and what they need to do to protect themselves. We hope these investigations help Fish and Wildlife to ensure a culture where all workers are trained to stay safe," said Blackwood.
Other violations included the following:
- Not providing or requiring the use of approved personal flotation devices
- Using rigging and straps that were damaged or improperly put together
- Not providing training for the use of chainsaws
The Duckabush River death resulted in nine violations and $114,000 in penalties. The Nisqually River investigation found four violations and $86,400 in penalties.
L&I cited and fined WDFW $30,800 in March for not ensuring workers were wearing approved personal flotation devices after the 2023 death. WDFW didn't appeal any of the citations, according to a press release.
Any penalties paid will go into the workers' compensation supplemental pension fund. This fund is made to help injured workers and the families of those who have died on the job.
