OLMPIA, Wash. – The Department of Labor and Industries is reminding employers ion Washington that they’re required to protect workers from heat and wildfire smoke during summer months.
The requirements are designed to protect farm and construction workers, road crews, roofers and any others whose work requires them to be outside.
Employers must monitor air quality and temperature from June 15th through September 30th.
They’ll have to provide adequate cool water, shade and cool down breaks at temperatures over 89 degrees.
They’re encouraged to provide respirators, reschedule work or take other measures when the air quality index is above 69.
They’re required to take those steps when the index is 101 or above.
L&I says the emergency rules were partly inspired by last summer’s record-setting heat wave.