Washington outdoor heat rule
WAC 296-62-095 action levels, cool-down rests, and the 52 F trigger for nonbreathable clothing.
Washington requires a written Outdoor Heat Exposure Safety Program year round, and switches duties on at temperature action levels rather than heat index. The action level depends on what the crew is wearing: 52 F for nonbreathable or vapor-barrier clothing and 80 F for everything else. Paid cool-down rest becomes mandatory at 90 F and steps up at 100 F.
Takeaways
- Identify which action level a crew falls under based on clothing.
- Say how much paid cool-down rest is owed at 90 F and at 100 F.
- Set clothing on a site so the 52 F trigger applies without anyone remembering it.
- Know that the written program is required regardless of the day temperature.
The action level depends on clothing
Paid cool-down rest at 90 F and 100 F
Water and cooling
The written program runs year round
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 52 F level really apply on a cool day? Yes, when employees are in nonbreathable or vapor-barrier clothing. The hazard is trapped body heat, not ambient temperature, which is why the action level drops so far.
- Do I have to use shade specifically? No. Washington allows other means of cooling if they are effective and available, which is useful on sites where a canopy is impractical.
- Is the cool-down rest in addition to meal and rest breaks? Cool-down periods can overlap with other paid rest periods that already meet the length requirement, but you cannot count an unpaid meal period as a cool-down period.
- Does this rule cover indoor work? No. WAC 296-62-095 is the outdoor heat exposure rule. Indoor heat is addressed through the general safety and health standards rather than these action levels.