New Rules Require Washington Employers to Monitor Temp, Air Quality Starting Mid-June

Employers in Washington will be required to monitor temperature and air quality, take steps to protect workers from heat and smoke hazards, and provide training and information from June 15 through the end of September,

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries on Wednesday filed emergency outdoor heat exposure and wildfire smoke rules to protect farm and construction workers, roofers, road crews, and anyone else whose job keeps them outside. The order is designed to help keep workers safe this summer.

L&I continues to develop permanent rules to address the serious hazards posed by extreme heat and exposure to wildfire smoke.

When temperatures are at or above 89 degrees, the emergency heat rules combined with existing rules require employers to:

• Provide enough sufficiently cool water for each employee to drink at least a quart an hour;
• Provide sufficient shade that is large enough for and close enough to workers;
• Encourage and allow workers to take paid preventative cool-down breaks as needed; and,
• Require a 10-minute, paid cool-down break every two hours.

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.

The temperature at which the requirements kick in may be even lower depending on the type of clothing workers are wearing. Employers can substitute other means of lowering body temperature for shade, like an air-conditioned trailer or a misting station.

Employers must monitor temperatures and have a system in place, such as a mandatory buddy rule, regular check-in by phone or radio, or other methods to catch signs of heat-related illness. If there are signs of illness, employers are required to relieve workers from duty, provide shade or other means of cooling down, and determine if additional medical attention is needed.

Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Washington