L&I: New Heat Protections Take Effect July 17

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced that new heat protections for outdoor workers go into effect July 17. L&I on Tuesday filed an update to expand the heat protection standard for outdoor workers first implemented in 2008. The rules lower to 80 degrees the temperature requiring employers to take certain actions such as providing drinking water and shade. Workers must be allowed to take preventative cool-down periods as needed to prevent overheating. Employers must follow high-heat procedures that require close observation of workers and mandatory cool-...