On July 9, 2021, Washington's Department of Labor &
Industries filed an emergency rule to increase protection for
employees exposed to extreme heat at work. This includes employees
working in agriculture, construction, and other outdoor industries.
The new regulations took effect on July 13, 2021.
Washington already has in place an Outdoor Heat Exposure rule,
first established in 2008 and effective annually from May through
the end of September. However, after the extreme heat experienced
by the Pacific Northwest, the state has issued additional emergency
rules. Washington will take steps to make these emergency rules a
permanent part of its heat exposure standard in the coming
months.
