WASHINGTON INCREASES HEAT, WILDFIRE SMOKE PROTECTIONS FOR OUTDOOR WORKERS THIS SUMMER

From June 15 through the end of September, 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, among other things.

Today, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) 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. They are designed to help keep workers safe this summer as L&I continues to develop permanent rules to address the serious hazards posed by extreme heat and exposure to wildfire smoke.

“The record-setting heat wave last summer underscored the importance of protecting outdoor workers,” said Craig Blackwood, L&I’s assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety & Health. “Add in the smoke from more frequent and devastating wildfires, which is a proven hazard, and it’s a recipe for danger every summer.”

Outdoor heat exposure rules
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. If there are signs of illness, employers must relieve workers from duty, provide shade or other means of cooling down, and determine if additional medical attention is needed.

L&I’s Be Heat Smart web page has complete details of the requirements and additional steps employers and workers can take to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Wildfire smoke rules
Smoke from wildfires contains fine particles that can reach the deepest parts of the lungs, causing serious health problems. L&I’s emergency rule requires employers to monitor air quality and take action when outdoor workers are exposed to wildfire smoke and the Air Quality Index (AQI) is at 101 or higher. Some actions are required at an AQI of 69.

When workers show signs of injury or illness related to smoke, employers must monitor those workers to determine if medical care is needed, and cannot prevent workers from seeking medical treatment.

If the AQI is at 69 or higher, employers are encouraged to limit their workers’ exposure to smoke by:

• Reducing, rescheduling, or relocating work;
• Providing enclosed buildings or vehicles where the air is filtered; and,
• Reducing the work intensity or increasing rest periods.

Additional details are available on L&I’s wildfire smoke web page.