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Employers Face New Rules to Protect Workers From Outdoor Heat Exposure and Wildfire Smoke

June 16, 2022

Via: SHRM

With summer weather and wildfire season approaching, Washington State employers will have new seasonal workplace safety rules to take into account.

On June 1, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries adopted emergency rules that add to already existing protections for outdoor workers from the summer conditions of heat exposure and wildfire smoke. Both emergency rules will take effect on June 15.

Outdoor Heat Exposure

Under the existing rule, employers with outdoor workers are required to maintain outdoor heat-exposure prevention plans, provide annual heat-exposure training to employees and supervisors to prevent illness, and increase the amount of drinking water available to workers and opportunities to drink it. The existing rule is effective annually between May 1 and September 30.

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