Hearth Insight
August 2021
Legislative Update
from our NWHPBA Lobbyist, Carolyn Logue
Although legislative sessions are over for now, there still is plenty of activity happening for NWHPBA advocacy efforts. Several of our manufacturers are hosting legislators at their factories this month to showcase their businesses and their products. A meeting was also held with the Washington State Attorney General’s office to educate that office about our local manufacturers and the need to talk with them before signing letters to EPA asking for changes to woodstove testing methods.

But for right now the spotlight needs to be on the number of cities that are considering or discussing natural gas bans, including one city (Spokane) where a group of builders, labor unions, and others are taking a different tack and running an initiative to stop their city from enacting such a ban.

Spokane “Ban the Ban” Goes to the Ballot

With a 7-0 vote, the Spokane City Council voted to send the Spokane Cleaner Energy Protection Act to the ballot in November. This is a historic initiative and will be the first attempt in the northwest to stop natural gas bans via a vote of the people.

We expect natural gas ban opponents to put in big dollars so NWHPBA will need to be ready to join the Spokane Homebuilders and local labor unions in driving voter turnout and support FOR the initiative. If this passes, it will change the game for local natural gas bans in our region.

NWHPBA is gathering names of members in the Spokane region who want to be involved and will be linking them with the local campaign. Support will be needed in many ways – money, letters to the editor, op-eds, signs, endorsements, and votes. 

Let NWHPBA is you want to be part of the Spokane team.


Shoreline City Council Debating a Natural Gas Ban

A natural gas ban will be discussed at the Shoreline City Council Meeting on Monday, August 16th during their 7 p.m. meeting. Shoreline, which sits north of Seattle, is just one more city in Western Washington to consider a natural gas ban – joining the cities of Seattle, Bellingham, and Vancouver. 

NWHPBA is urging members who sell products in or around the city of Shoreline to speak up to oppose a natural gas ban. The meetings are being held via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions and public comment is held generally at the beginning of the meeting. For instructions on how to sign up and how to participate in public comment in Shoreline visit THIS LINK. And please let NWHPA know if you plan to testify.
Washington state emergency heat exposure rules increase protection
for outdoor workers 
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries sent this bulletin on 07/09/2021
Employers must take additional precautions to prevent heat-related illness
July 9, 2021
TUMWATER — The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) filed an emergency rule today to provide increased protection for employees exposed to extreme heat, including those working in agriculture, construction, and other outdoor industries. The emergency Outdoor Heat Exposure rule clarifies proactive steps that employers must take to prevent outdoor workers from suffering heat-related illness.

“The heat experienced in our state this year has reached catastrophic levels. The physical risk to individuals is significant, in particular those whose occupations have them outdoors all day,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “Our state has rules in place to ensure these risks are mitigated, however, the real impacts of climate change have changed conditions since those rules were first written and we are responding.”

The new regulations, which take effect on July 13, are in addition to existing rules. When the temperature is at or above 100 degrees, employers must respond to the extreme heat by:
  • Providing shade or another sufficient means for employees to cool down; and
  • Ensuring workers have a paid cool-down rest period of at least 10 minutes every two hours.

When temperatures are at or above 89 degrees, the new rules combined with existing rules require employers to:
  • Provide water that is cool enough to drink safely;
  • Allow and encourage workers to take additional paid preventative cool-down rest to protect from overheating;
  • Be prepared by having a written outdoor heat exposure safety program and providing training to employees; and,
  • Respond appropriately to any employee with symptoms of heat-related illness.

The emergency rules update existing rules that are in place annually from May through the end of September. The existing rules already require ready access to at least one quart of drinking water per worker per hour, an outdoor heat exposure safety program with training, and an appropriate response to workers who are experiencing heat-related illness symptoms.

L&I will file an official notification for permanent rulemaking. Known as a CR-101, the notification is the first step in the process of updating the existing state 
Outdoor Heat Exposure rule established in 2008.

“The recent heat wave is a reminder that extreme temperatures can be a real danger in the workplace. With more hot weather on the way, we’re taking action now,” said L&I Director Joel Sacks. "The emergency rule clarifies existing requirements and outlines commonsense steps employers must take to keep the workers who are responsible for growing our food, paving our roads, and putting up our buildings safe on the job.”

Craig Blackwood, acting assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said the agency is already stepping up awareness and outreach efforts to amplify the existing rules and the tools in place to help employers and workers.

“In most cases, employers are doing the right thing and complying with the current heat stress rules,” said Blackwood. “The emergency rule clarifies the requirements and prompts employers to plan ahead for any further extreme heat waves that may happen this summer. As one of only three states in the nation with an outdoor heat stress rule, we have a good foundation to build on,” he said.

Working outdoors in hot weather is a health hazard that can result in serious medical conditions, including disability or death. Washington has on average 55 workers’ compensation claims per year for heat-related illnesses.

If you work outside, remember to start your workday fully hydrated, drink at least a quart of water every hour, know the early warning signs of heat stress and pay close attention to how you are feeling, and take regular breaks to cool yourself down. If you feel sick, stop working, move to a shaded place if possible, and tell someone so they can help monitor your symptoms or get help.

In the coming months, L&I will gather information from stakeholders to help create an initial draft of the updated Outdoor Heat Exposure rule. Like all permanent rulemaking processes, there will be opportunities for public input during the process.
Visit L&I’s Be Heat Smart web page for additional steps employers can take to protect employees working in hot temperatures.
                                 ###
For media information: Dina Lorraine, L&I Public Affairs, 360-972-4868.
2021
Board of Directors:

Scott Ongley
President

Edward Hosack
Vice President/AK

Ryann Blake
Secretary/ At Large

Pat Braddock
Treasurer/At Large

At Large:
Jeff Davidson
Grant Falco
Daniel Hammer
Chris Loper
Troy Olsen
Debbie Hannig

Kelli Cruz
W WA

Colleen Kittridge
E WA

Chris Patterson
Idaho

Guy Hanson
Montana

Tim Reed
Reg 9 Rep

Carolyn Logue
Lobbyist

Katie Bohocky, CAE
Executive Director
In this issue:

  1. Legislative Update
  2. WA State Emergency Heat Exposure Rules
  3. NWHPBA Job Board
  4. Fire Time Magazine
  5. Employment Security Office - Employer Newsletter
  6. Membership Renewals
  7. Job Opening

The new NWHPBA Job Board is featured on our website. The cost for posting is:

  • $50/ NWHPBA members
  • $65/ non-members.

Your job opening will be posted for
60-days on our website job board and
in 2 monthly Hearth Insight newsletters.

Questions? Email nwhpba@aminc.org
The Fire Time Magazine

A digital publication for the hearth and bbq industries

This digital publication will teach you to grow your business through articles by the top experts in our industry.
Each issue will give you access to new products and innovation, as well as provide national market insights so you are never in the dark.

Click here to start reading!
Employment Security Office - Employer Newsletter
Washington State sent July 26, 2021
WA Cares Fund: Affordability, choice, peace of mind
 
Washington is the first state in the nation to develop a public plan that makes long-term care affordable. WA Cares Fund gives members access to a lifetime benefit they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supports—should they need it.

What if my employees already have a long-term care plan?
Workers who hold existing long-term care insurance or purchase a new private policy before Nov. 1, 2021, can apply for an exemption from WA Cares coverage. If workers are approved for an exemption, they will be permanently excluded from WA Cares benefits but they won’t be required to pay premiums.

Workers pay WA Cares premiums only while they’re working—not after retirement.
Private long-term care insurance usually requires payments even if people aren’t working. That can mean making payments while on a fixed income throughout retirement, or even while unemployed. That’s why it’s important for workers to compare the lifetime cost, not annual cost, of private plans vs. WA Cares.

If you have workers considering a WA Cares exemption, encourage them to check out our Exemptions page so they can weigh their options.

Workers with approved exemptions will never be eligible for WA Care benefits. If they decide to apply, applications will be available starting Oct. 1, 2021.

Did you miss it?
  • We launched a brand new Learn More page! Check it out for answers to your frequently asked questions about WA Cares. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, please email wacaresfund@dshs.wa.gov.
  • We published a new flyer on our website to help Washington workers understand WA Cares. Please distribute this resource to your employees and post it in common areas.
  • Workers can now join live webinars to learn more about WA Cares Fund and get their questions answered. Webinars are held each week and pre-registration to attend is not required.
  • Coming soon! We’ll begin hosting employer webinars in early fall. We’ll personally walk you through the updates we’re making to Paid Leave’s reporting process so you can easily report once for both programs.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Paid Leave: New legislation takes effect soon
 
New legislation expands the definition of family member and the qualifying period for Paid Family and Medical Leave. 

Permanent change as of July 25  

The definition of family member expands to include anyone who might expect to rely on your employee for care. Your employee does not have to live with or be related to this person, but there must be an expectation that they would provide care. This is a permanent change as of July 25. 
 
Temporary change beginning Aug. 1

New qualifying periods are available to determine eligibility for those whose work was affected by COVID-19. We can now look at more of your workers' employment history to see if they qualify. The new law applies to leave that starts January 2021 through March 2022 or until funds run out. We will accept applications for leave under the new law beginning Aug. 1.
See our Help Center for more information.
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Unemployment Insurance: Act before Sept. 30 to protect your tax rate
 
Avoid a delinquent tax rate for 2022 by filing all tax reports and paying all current and past-due unemployment taxes, penalties, and interest, in full by Sept. 30. Employers with delinquencies are charged:
  • At least a one percentage point increase in their regular tax rate the first year they’re delinquent.
  • A two percentage point increase if they’re late a second consecutive year.
  • The maximum shared-cost (social) tax rate.

Consider a deferred payment contract if you can’t pay

Even if you can’t pay the balance owed, you can still protect your tax rate by getting a deferred payment contract. Start by emailing Employment Security Department’s Collections unit at ESCtax@esd.wa.gov.
Membership Renewals
For those who have not yet renewed, your membership is crucial and allows us to continue to advocate for the health of our industry. While 2020 was full of unprecedented events, we are thankful for our NWHPBA community. With the help of one another, we were able to support each other and share our successes through tough times.

Renewing your membership is easy, and we have many options for your convenience!
  • Renew online and pay via card or check
  • If you select to pay by check, you will be directly invoiced and can mail us a check.
  • Call us directly at NWHPBA and we can renew over the phone with you
  • 253-525-5153 (Due to COVID, if you do not connect with us, please leave a voicemail, and Katie, our Executive Director, will return your call within 24-48 hours)
"This industry can feel really secluded and alone. Maintaining my membership has allowed me to build relationships and really get to know the other members. This has opened doors and encouraged brainstorming to solve industry wide issues as well as internal ones within my business that someone had already been through and knew a great solution for."

-Ryann Blake, Chimney Techniques
Job Opening
Sales Representative

Earth N Sun is looking for a Sales Representative with some sales experience. Earth n Sun is a small mom-and-pop store in Rainier, OR that has been open for 35+ years. Earth N Sun sells hearth products that require keeping track of a lot of information. The Sales Representative we hire needs to have good memory skills, be able to work alone, be able to lift a 40-pound bag of pellets, be able to drive a forklift, and be able to work at least but not limited to working every other Saturday.

To apply for this job email your details to woodstovewarehouse@gmail.com
We want to hear from you!!!
The NWHPBA Communications Committee publishes the Hearth Insight monthly. If you have a story or article you would like to have shared, submit below to be included in our upcoming editions!!!
Northwest HPBA | Website | Email