TUMWATER — Hot temperatures and wildfire smoke are making for hazardous conditions for outdoor workers in our state.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is reminding employers and workers of the rules to protect workers and what weather conditions trigger extra precautions.

Heat rules

The state heat rules include protections for outdoor workers that kick in at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with additional requirements in the kind of high heat that much of the state is currently experiencing.

At or above 80 degrees, employers must:

• Encourage and allow workers to take paid preventative cool-down rest periods as needed;
• Provide enough shade or other way of cooling down—like an air-conditioned building or running vehicle—for all employees on a meal or rest break to use;
• Provide enough cool drinking water for each employee to drink a quart per hour; and
• Closely observe new employees, employees returning from absences, and — during heat waves — all employees.

At or above 90 degrees, employers must provide a 10-minute paid cool down rest period every two hours. When the temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher, which it is in many parts of the state, the requirement for breaks becomes 15-minutes of paid cool down rest every hour.

Wildfire smoke rules

A combination of low snowpack, early heat, and rapid snowmelt has created drier than normal conditions, resulting in an earlier wildfire season. Several wildfires are burning across the state this week.

Wildfire smoke is dangerous for people who work outdoor jobs like construction or agriculture. When they breathe in the tiny particles carried by the smoke, it increases the risk of reduced lung function, aggravated asthma, heart failure, and even early death.

State rules require employers to prepare in advance to protect workers from wildfire smoke by putting together a response plan. They must plan for how they’ll communicate with workers, train employees to report smoke, and coordinate medical treatment for employees who say they’re experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, chest pain and dizziness. They also must inform their employees of their right to medical care without retribution.

Employers can use indexes like the NowCast Air Quality Index (AQI) to track air quality. As air quality gets worse, employers must provide increasing protections.

Go online to learn more about L&I’s heat rules and wildfire smoke rules.

Originally reported by Washington State Department of labor & Industries.