See Compliance Industrial Safety and Health Investigator 1

Positions independently perform highly complex investigations/inspections for all types of occupational safety and health hazards for all sizes of employers in all industries, with a focus on high hazard industries (e.g., chemical, petroleum, heavy manufacturing, construction, logging, maritime, agriculture etc.).

Independently conducts, or leads teams in conducting, large and highly complex enforcement investigations. Additionally, independently conducts concurrent enforcement inspections and investigations at worksites with multiple processes and specialty disciplines on site.

Positions are well-versed and highly proficient in occupational safety and health case-law and regulatory policy. Positions may lead CISHI investigation teams and may lead multidisciplinary teams.

In accordance with Chapter 49.17 RCW, only Department of Labor & Industries staff exercise compliance authority in completing investigation reports with documentation of violations and penalties including Orders and Notices of Immediate Restraint.

The following are examples of highly complex inspections and investigations conducted by this advanced investigator level:

• Inspections and investigations of workplaces with multiple industrial operations and processes (e.g. construction sites, manufacturing facilities),
• Inspections and investigations where highly skilled operators and tradespeople are involved, such as crane operations, high-voltage installation and maintenance, and telecommunication construction,
• Inspections and investigations involving multiple complex technical safety and health requirements, and those with high visibility media and/or legal aspects.

Conducts highly complex investigations that resulted in death, hospitalizations, and/or permanent disability to workers or where advanced scientific knowledge is required to determine the type and extent of suspected environmental and occupational health and safety hazards;

Investigates fatalities and serious injuries where the root causes are not obvious or likely known;

Determines type and extent of procedures or controls necessary to minimize occupational health and safety hazards;

Reviews inspections for code and policy adherence, willful reviews, and ensures the technical accuracy of reports to ensure statewide consistency of code and policy applications;

Guides entry and journey staff in regulatory and case law;

Calculates and prepares data for survey and research reports directly related to incidents and new or emerging hazards;

Works with the Attorney General’s office and local prosecutors on highly complex and difficult cases;

Performs evidence handling of highly complex cases;

Assists with creating new and/or revising existing inspection processes.

Knowledge of: Report writing skills, use of computers and the internet to complete work product. Regulatory experience in applying occupational safety and health case law while conducting investigations; advanced level of assessment, sampling and direct measuring techniques for chemical and physical hazards, engineering principles as they apply to industrial processes and occupational hazards. Investigative interviewing and root cause analysis for effective accident investigations. Sampling and direct measuring techniques for chemical and physical hazards, noise and non-ionizing radiation; industrial processes and occupational hazards; chemicals exposure assessment, chemical by-products and their air contamination potential; hazard potential of dusts, gases, vapors, noise and non-ionizing radiation; routine analytical procedures. Knowledge of safety hazards such as falls from heights, trenches and excavation, and machine guarding. Knowledge of the different means to eliminate or control hazards identified during inspections/investigations. Extensive knowledge of many industries, or expert knowledge of specific industries.

Ability to: Ability to follow Division of Occupational Safety and Health regulatory and procedural policy manuals. Ability to learn, use and apply advance legal theory and occupational safety and health and employment case law in decision-making. Explain technical procedures and findings in language a layperson can understand establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of management and labor; use industrial hygiene sampling equipment such as gas and vapor detectors, noise dosimeters and direct reading instruments; speak effectively; write clear, concise reports. Ability to conduct effective investigative interviews and apply root-cause analysis principles.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Five years’ experience as a DOSH Compliance Industrial Safety and Health Investigator (CISHI) or equivalent experience as a Federal OSHA or other state plan journey-level safety and health specialist or industrial hygienist.


Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Safety Professional (CSP).


Five years of full-time professional experience as an employer’s safety director or manager, industrial hygienist, safety and health specialist, etc.


Seven years of full-time journey level occupational/industrial safety experience in one or more of the following industries: Government, military, public health or related safety and health field.


A Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited university in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene or similar AND five years of occupational/industrial safety professional experience.

Must possess a valid and unrestricted driver license.

Some positions may require certification as a Certified Safety Professional granted by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, Certified Industrial Hygienist granted by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, Certified Marine Chemist granted by the National Fire Protection Association in addition to minimum years of enforcement experience.

New class adopted June 22, 2023; effective July 1, 2023.