OLYMPIA –Businesses that open outside of Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 response plan, face steep fines for unsafe workplace conditions.

At the direction of Inslee, the state Department of Labor & Industries filed emergency rules yesterday .

L&I will work with the state Emergency Operations Center to take in and respond to complaints about businesses that are operating “illegally”. If employers are found to be defying the Governor’s order, they’ll be informed and directed to close or adjust operations immediately. If they do not, they’ll face a workplace safety citation that could carry a fine of nearly $10,000 or more.

Along with contacting businesses by phone and in writing, L&I will perform in-person spot checks on some of the businesses to make sure they are following through and complying.