TUMWATER, WA – The Washington Department of Labor & Industries Outdoor Heat Exposure rules were updated last month and today, the changes take effect. They include:
- Lowering the temperature at which action is required to 80°F for most outdoor work.
- Temperature-based action levels apply to specific portions of the rule such as drinking water and shade, and include specifics on when and how much shade must be provided.
- Workers must be allowed to take preventative cool-down periods as needed to prevent overheating.
- Employers must follow high-heat procedures that require close observation of workers and mandatory cool-down periods of 10 minutes every two hours when the temperature reaches 90°F, and 15 minutes every hour at 100°F.
From L&I:
The updated permanent rules also add requirements for acclimatization and exposure to high heat. Under these requirements, which address the need to adapt to working in the heat over time, employers must closely observe all workers during heat waves and any worker who is newly assigned to working in the heat or returning from an absence of up to 14 days.
Under the rules, employers must also update their outdoor heat exposure safety programs, and train workers and supervisors on the plan and the new requirements. L&I is developing model outdoor heat exposure safety programs and training materials to help employers implement these requirements.
