645 Heat Injury and Illness Prevention: Employee

Washington Requirements

Application & Scope

This section supplements OSHAcademy Course 645 Heat Injury and Illness Prevention: Employee and is designed to align with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) permanent heat exposure standards, covering multiple industries:

• WAC 296-62-095 through 09560 – Heat Exposure Rules (General Industry)
• WAC 296-307-097 through 09760 – Heat Exposure Rules (Agriculture)
• WAC 296-305-05004 – Heat Exposure Rules (Firefighters/Fire Departments)
• WAC 296-305-07004 – Heat Exposure Rules (Wildland Firefighters)

Who Must Comply

These codes apply to all employers with employees who are exposed to heat in an outdoor work environment.

Exemptions

• Incidental exposure of less than 15 minutes per hour.

Trigger Thresholds (Action Levels)

Washington's heat rules are based on measured temperature in °F, not heat index.

Once the temperature reaches the applicable trigger, the rule's protective measures—shade, water, rest breaks, observation, and training—must be implemented.

Access to Drinking Water

• Employers must:
  • Provide cool, potable water at no cost to employees
  • Ensure each employee can consume at least one quart (32 ounces) per hour
  • Water must be readily accessible and refilled as needed

If an employer provides electrolyte replenishing beverages (i.e., sports drinks), they must not contain high amounts of sugar, caffeine, or both such as energy drinks.

A caloric and electrolyte replacement must be considered for fire fighters on emergency scenes or conducting exercises for more than one hour.

Shade and Cool-Down Areas

At or above the trigger temperature, employers must:

• Provide sufficient shade or alternative cooling areas, large enough for workers on break
• Shade must be close to work areas and available throughout the shift
• When shade is infeasible (e.g., highway paving, forestry), equivalent cooling (e.g., air-conditioned areas, misting stations, or cooling vests) must be provided

Acclimatization

Employers must:

• Implement a process for acclimatizing new or returning employees (after an absence of seven days or more) over a 14 day period
• During initial exposure or heat waves (10°F higher than the average daily temperature in the preceding five says), supervisors must observe workers closely for signs of distress by implementing one or more of the following:
  • Regular communication with employees working alone, such as by radio or cellular phone;
  • A mandatory buddy system
  • Other effective means of observation

Response to Heat-Related Illness

Employers must ensure reliable communication—by voice, observation, or electronic means—so employees and supervisors can report heat-related symptoms and get medical help when needed. Electronic devices may be used only if reception is dependable.

Employees showing signs or symptoms of heat-related illness must be relieved from duty and provided with a sufficient means to reduce body temperature.

Employees showing signs or symptoms of heat-related illness must be monitored to determine whether medical attention is necessary.

Heat Exposure Safety Program

Employers must develop and implement a written heat exposure safet program, within their accident prevention program (APP), that include:

• Procedures for providing sufficiently cool drinking water
• Procedures for providing shade or other methods of reducing body temperature
• Emergency response procedures for employees demonstrating signs or symptoms of heat-ralted illness
• Acclimatization methods and procedures
• High heat procedures
• Specific methods used to closely observe employees for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness

Training Requirements

Employers must provide initial and refresher training (in a language and manner understandable to employees) on:

• Environmental and personal risk factors for heat illness
• The importance of removing PPE during all breaks
• Proper hydration and rest practices
• Acclimatization requirements and the inability to acclimatize during a heat wave
• Recognition of heat illness symptoms and first aid
• Employer procedures for shade, water, rest breaks, and emergencies
• Employee rights under the rule, including protection from retaliation
• Employer's procedures for close observation of employees for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

In addition to the training listed above, supervisors must receive additional training on:

• Procedures the supervisor must follow to implement WAC 296-62-095 Outdoor heat exposure.
• The importance of considering engineering and administrative controls—such as air-conditioning and scheduling work during cooler hours—to reduce employees' heat exposure.
• Procedures a supervisor must follow when an employee shows signs of heat-related illness, including providing appropriate first aid and initiating emergency response as needed.
• Procedures for moving or transporting an employee to a place where the employee can be reached by an emergency medical service provider, if necessary.

Training must occur before heat exposure begins. Supervisors must receive training before overseeing employees working outdoors in temperatures at or above the trigger temperatures.

Special Industry Requirements

Firefighters / Fire Departments – WAC 296-305-05004

• Employers must implement procedures to prevent overexertion and heat illness during structural firefighting and training
• Supervisors must monitor for heat stress and enforce rehab (cool-down) periods consistent with NFPA 1584

Wildland Firefighting – WAC 296-305-07004

• Establish rest and rehabilitation areas with hydration supplies, shade, and medical observation
• Incident commanders must implement work/rest cycles and temperature monitoring for all operational periods

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