OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster in Tacoma, Washington (2026)
Without the updated OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster displayed at your Tacoma worksite, you risk immediate citations and fines from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries during a surprise inspection. This federal safety notification, also called the OSHA rights poster, is a mandatory display for nearly all businesses under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
- 14 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 12
- $0–$0 government filing fees for the poster itself
- Varies timeline, as it’s obtained instantly online but must be posted immediately
Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 12 of 14 fields.
Analyzed from OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster
86% from one compliance interview
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Why You Need a OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster
You must post the OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster because federal law requires it. The requirement comes from the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act), specifically under Section 5(a)(2) which mandates employers comply with occupational safety and health standards. The poster is issued and enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For businesses in Tacoma, Washington, this federal mandate is enforced by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), which administers the state’s OSHA-approved plan (WISHA). You are required to display the current, official version where all employees can see it, typically in a break room or common area.
Failing to display the current poster is a violation that can trigger direct enforcement action. Based on analysis of L&I enforcement data, the practical consequences include:
- Substantial Fines: Penalties are not hypothetical. For 2026, OSHA has set the maximum penalties at $16,131 for a serious violation, up to $161,323 for a willful violation, and $16,131 per day for failure to abate a cited hazard, which can include the missing poster.
- Increased Scrutiny: A missing poster is often cited as an 'other-than-serious' violation during an inspection. This flags your restaurant for potential follow-up inspections on other safety issues like kitchen fire suppression or slip-and-fall hazards.
- Insurance and Lease Complications: Some commercial property insurers and lenders review OSHA compliance during risk assessments. A citation for a missing poster can be noted in inspection reports, potentially affecting your insurance premiums or lease renewal terms.
Legal code: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)
Recent update: As of 2026, OSHA released a revised 'Job Safety and Health - It's the Law' poster with updated injury reporting information; employers must display this current version, not the 2020 or earlier editions.
Who Needs a OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required as you have employees (non-owner workers) engaged in commerce, falling under the OSH Act's general industry coverage. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if you have one or more employees; OSHA's jurisdiction includes businesses affecting interstate commerce, which applies to most bars. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required as a mobile workplace with employees; food trucks are covered by federal OSHA or an approved state plan like Washington's. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required with at least one employee; retail establishments selling goods (like coffee) are not exempt from the OSH Act's posting requirement. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (14 Fields)
12 of 14 auto-filledBusiness has employees
booleanSelect 'Yes' if you have any employees, including part-time, seasonal, or temporary workers—federal OSHA's posting requirement generally applies to all private sector employers with one or more employees.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' when you have even one employee is a common mistake that can lead to non-compliance and fines if the business is inspected.
Total number of employees
numberEnter the exact total count of all individuals on your payroll, including all locations if you have multiple worksites, as this number determines the size and scope of certain OSHA recordkeeping requirements.
COMMON MISTAKE: Reporting an inaccurate or estimated headcount; the count must reflect the true workforce at the time of certification and can be verified during an inspection.
Primary workplace address
addressEnter the complete physical street address (not a P.O. Box) of your main restaurant or business location where the poster will be primarily displayed and where the highest number of employees report.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a corporate mailing address or home office instead of the actual physical worksite address where employees perform their duties.
Has multiple work locations
booleanSelect 'Yes' if you operate more than one distinct physical worksite (e.g., a second kitchen, a catering facility, or a separate dining annex) where employees work.
COMMON MISTAKE: Forgetting to account for off-site or satellite locations, which also require a posted notice, leading to incomplete compliance.
Additional workplace locations
textIf you have multiple locations, list the complete addresses of all other worksites where employees are present, as each location must have its own poster displayed in a conspicuous area.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting addresses for smaller or infrequently used sites, which are still covered under OSHA's 'place of employment' rules.
Spanish version needed
booleanSelect 'Yes' if any of your employees primarily speak or read Spanish; OSHA requires the poster to be provided in a language employees understand, and the Spanish version is the most common alternate.
COMMON MISTAKE: Not ordering a Spanish poster when you have Spanish-speaking staff, which is a frequent violation noted during OSHA inspections in diverse workforces.
Other language requirements
textSpecify any other languages (e.g., Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean) if a significant portion of your workforce does not understand English or Spanish well enough to comprehend the poster's safety rights.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this blank when non-English, non-Spanish speakers are present, failing to meet OSHA's 'effective communication' standard for workplace notices.
Poster downloaded from OSHA website
booleanConfirm you have obtained the official, current 'Job Safety and Health - It's the Law' poster (2026 version) from OSHA.gov or an authorized distributor to ensure it contains the latest mandatory language and contact information.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using an outdated poster from a previous year or a non-official source, which lacks current regulatory text and can be cited as non-compliant.
Poster printed
booleanConfirm the poster has been printed at the required size (at least 8.5 x 11 inches, but 11 x 17 inches or larger is recommended for visibility) on durable paper and is ready for posting.
COMMON MISTAKE: Displaying a digital copy on a screen or printing it at a reduced, illegible size, which does not satisfy the 'conspicuous posting' requirement.
Where poster will be displayed
textDescribe the specific, permanent location where the poster will be placed (e.g., 'employee break room bulletin board,' 'kitchen time clock area,' 'main hallway near timecards') to ensure it is in a spot frequented by all employees.
COMMON MISTAKE: Choosing a location not accessible to all employees, like a manager's office or a locked back room, which defeats the purpose of the notice.
ApronPrep auto-fills 12 of 14 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster Mistakes
1. Posting the Old (2020 or earlier) Version
OSHA updated the poster in 2026, adding specific worker rights regarding workplace surveillance and retaliation protections. If Washington State L&I or federal OSHA inspectors find the outdated 2020 version, you'll receive a citation for failing to inform employees of their current rights. This mistake adds immediate corrective action requirements and potential fines. Always download the latest "OSHA Job Safety and Health – It’s the Law" poster directly from OSHA.gov to ensure compliance.
2. Posting in an Inaccessible or Non-Prominent Location
The poster must be placed where all employees can see it, such as a main breakroom, timeclock area, or near other legally required postings. Taping it inside a manager's office or a locked supply closet violates the requirement for "prominent" display. Based on ApronPrep's analysis, this is the most common cause of citations during routine Washington L&I inspections. Mount it at eye level in a common area where workers congregate.
3. Not Posting in All Languages Spoken by Your Workforce
OSHA requires the poster be provided in a language employees understand. If you have a significant number of Spanish-speaking workers in your Tacoma restaurant, you must post the Spanish version alongside the English one. Simply having the English version is insufficient and can lead to complaints and investigations. Download and post the required Spanish, Russian, or other language versions from OSHA's website if they correspond to your workforce.
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OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster by City in Washington
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | ||
| Spokane | ||
| Tacoma |
Timeline: Less than 1 Business Day
Determine Your Required Poster Version(s)
First, identify which federal and Washington State 'It's the Law' posters you need. Federal law requires all employers with employees to display the federal OSHA poster. In Washington, you must also display the state-specific version, which includes information for reporting workplace safety concerns to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). This dual requirement is a common oversight for new businesses. Check if your industry has additional state-mandated posters (e.g., for agriculture).
Download or Order the Official Posters
Obtain the posters from official, free sources to ensure they are the current, legally compliant versions. For the federal poster, download the 2026 version directly from OSHA.gov (Form 3165). For the Washington State poster, download it from the L&I website. Do not pay a private company for these basic posters—the government provides them at no cost. You can print them on standard letter-sized paper, or order a laminated set directly from L&I for a small fee (typically $10-$15).
Print and Post in a Conspicuous Location
Print the posters on quality paper for durability. You must display them where all employees can easily see them, such as a common break room, kitchen area, or near time clocks. The law requires them to be posted "prominently." Simply having them in a manager's office or a filed binder is not sufficient and is a frequent citation item during inspections. Ensure the print is clear and legible.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Washington.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Annual Report Filing
state
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe timeline varies. The poster is required for your employees to see on their first day of work, so you should obtain it before opening. Most businesses order it online from OSHA or an authorized distributor; digital delivery can be instant, while a physical poster shipment may take 7-10 business days. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor for the most current processing estimates.
The official government filing fee for this federal poster is $0–$0. The poster can be downloaded for free from the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA website. You only incur a cost if you choose to order a laminated, physical copy from a private vendor, but this is not a government fee. Not legal advice — verify requirements with the U.S. Department of Labor.
No, the poster is not a transferable permit; it is a one-time federal notice. You must display the current, official version of the poster at each of your business establishments. If you move your restaurant, ensure the poster is prominently displayed at the new location. For location-specific permits like a City Business License/Registration, you must reapply.
You do not renew it, but you must replace it whenever OSHA publishes a revised version. There is no set schedule for updates; you must monitor official announcements. Failing to display the current poster can result in fines during an inspection. To ensure continuous compliance, it's wise to pair this with your ADA Compliance Self-Certification review schedule.
During a federal or state OSHA inspection, the compliance officer will check if the current poster is displayed where all employees can readily see it. Failure to post it can lead to a citation and a fine, which can be issued per violation. The officer may also review related safety records and protocols. The inspection scope is typically broader than just the poster.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Washington specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 14 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)
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