L&I rules help outdoor workers deal with the heat

SEATTLE — While most of us can find a way to cool off during the heat wave, it brings up the question, how are construction workers and roofers dealing with the high temperatures?

During certain times of the year, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has outdoor heat exposure rules that employers must follow.

Every year from May through September, employers in Washington are required to take steps to protect employees working outdoors from heat illness.

Employers are required to:

• Create an outdoor heat exposure prevention plan.
• Provide annual training for employees and supervisors.
• Increase the amount of water available to employees.
• Provide more opportunity for workers to drink water.

Currently, additional emergency requirements are in effect until Sept. 29.

Some of the additional temporary emergency requirements are:

• Ensure that workers have adequate shade.
• Give them paid, mandatory cooldown rest periods of at least 10 minutes every two hours when it’s 89 degrees or hotter.
• Observe and communicate with workers about signs and symptoms of heat illness.

“We interact with our apprentices every week to let them know the rules that need to be followed by their employer. If the rules aren’t being followed with ample shade, ample breaks and cold water to combat the heat, we go out there and we talk to the contractor,” said Jamie Corban with the Northwest Carpenters Union.

The state department of labor and industries offers help with the Outdoor Heat Exposure Program and Accident Prevention Program at no charge.

Find more information on the emergency requirements and Outdoor Heat Exposure rules here.

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