The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has cleaned up its act following a stinging report over a safety violation from last year's Wind River incident. In a statement released just two days ago, the agency indicated it has now corrected all safety violations identified by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) this March. The hefty $30,800 penalty was paid, a sign that the Department of Fish and Wildlife is taking its lumps and trying to move forward.

The background to this bureaucratic moment of reckoning? A dicey episode back in September 2023 at Wind River in Skamania County, which triggered the investigation by L&I. The details on the incident are still rather slim, but WDFW's recent compliance marks an end to the saga. According to the agency’s statement, each employee involved in snorkel surveys now has an emergency device, and a strict adherence to a revamped field communication policy has become the new norm.

Moreover, WDFW shared that its snorkel procedures manual got a much-needed refresh. And staff are now receiving proper training before starting work – ensuring that they're not proverbially thrown into the deep end. Additionally, the first-aid kits these workers carry will be better equipped to handle any potential hazards that come their way. It's a comprehensive course correction.

WDFW Director, Kelly Susewind, underscored the agency's commitment to safety remarking, "I am committed to giving people the training and equipment they need to mitigate safety risks in the field." It's an assurance that, while late, surely aims to put employee well-being at the forefront after what appears to have been a close call at Wind River. It's a promise from the top – a guarantee that the agency is doing more than paying lip service to the concept of workplace safety.

With bulbs flashing and fingers typing, the story isn't only about rectifying wrongs but an attempt to illustrate an organization's ability to pivot in the aftermath of an incident. Applause or not, WDFW has ticked all the boxes required by L&I.