The summer of 2021 was a doozy. The temperature reached 118 degrees in multiple areas in June. Records were set in Seattle (108 degrees), Olympia (110 degrees), Yakima (109 degrees), and Spokane (105 degrees) just to name a few cities. As summers get hotter, it’s smart for businesses to make sure you know the threshold at which Washington state laws require employers to take action to protect employees who are working in an outdoor environment from the heat.

According to Washington Administrative Code 296-62-09510 employers are required to take action when outdoor temperatures reach or exceed 89 degrees, 77 degrees for employees wearing double-layer woven clothes, or 52 degrees for employees wearing non-breathable clothes.

Actions that employers are responsible for include:

• Addressing their outdoor heat exposure safety program in their written accident prevention program (APP).
• Ensuring that a sufficient quantity of water is readily accessible at all times.
• Encouraging employees to frequently consume water or other acceptable beverages.
• Ensuring that employees have the opportunity to drink at least one quart of drinking water per hour.
• Relieving employees from duty if they show signs or symptoms of heat-related illness and monitoring to determine if medical attention is necessary

Employees are responsible for monitoring their own personal factors for heat-related illness including consumption of water or other acceptable beverages.

For details, please see Washington Administrative Code 296-62-09530,Washington Administrative Code 296-62-09540 and Washington Administrative Code 292-62-09550

Employers are also responsible for training employees and supervisors prior to work that exceeds the thresholds presented above and annually thereafter. Detailed information can be found at Washington Administrative Code 296-62-09560.

In addition, L&I has adopted emergency requirements that took effect June 15,2022. Please see Outdoor Heat Exposure 2022 Emergency Rules Summary. The update is available in multiple languages. Requirements under the emergency rule include:

• Water must be suitably cool for drinking.
• Adequate shade (or alternatives).
• Workers are encouraged and allowed to take paid, preventative cool down rest periods so they don’t overheat.
• Paid, mandatory cool down rest periods of 10 minutes every 2 hours when temperatures are 89°F or hotter.
• A method for supervisors and employees that communicates about and observe signs and symptoms of heat illness when temperatures are 89°F or hotter.
• Training workers and supervisors regarding emergency requirements.

PIM Savvy is ready to help you with these and other topics individually over the phone, via online meetings, or in person at one of our workshops. We have safety and labor expertise to share with you and we can connect you with L&I. Not only that, in partnership with L&I, these services are FREE to you!

Cheers!

PIM Savvy Inc.

Additional Resources:

L&I link to General Safety and Health Standards pdf

Outdoor Heat Exposure 2022 Emergency Rules Summary