State compliance guide · Last updated April 2026

Washington Heat Rule (WAC 296-62-095)

Short answer: Washington L&I enforces an outdoor heat exposure rule year-round. Action levels at 80°F and 90°F; mandatory paid cool-down at 90°F. All covered employers must have a written Outdoor Heat Exposure Safety Program.

By Anna B. Albright · Co-founder & CEO · BCG Climate & Sustainability practice

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At a glance

Washington's outdoor heat triggers.

52°F

Vapor-barrier clothing trigger

Workers in fully impermeable clothing (chem suits, vapor-barrier) require heat protection at 52°F and above.

80°F

General action level

Water (1 qt/hr/worker), shade, training, and the written Outdoor Heat Exposure Safety Program required.

90°F

High-heat trigger

Mandatory paid cool-down periods of at least 10 minutes every 2 hours, plus active observation for symptoms.

Year-round

Always-on program

Unlike most state rules that apply only May–September, Washington's rule applies whenever the triggers are reached, year-round.

Where cooling vests fit

Extending the productive window between cool-downs.

At Washington's 90°F high-heat trigger, mandatory cool-down breaks every 2 hours cut into productive shift time. Active cooling vests don't replace those breaks — but they reduce the core temperature buildup that drives heat illness during the work intervals between breaks.

Year-roundCooling that works in every Washington season the rule applies.
8–12 hrFull-shift solid-state cooling between mandatory cool-downs.
No waterDoesn't compete with the 1 qt/hr hydration requirement.
PPE-fitWorn under hi-vis, FR, and arc-rated outerwear.
DocumentationListed as PPE under the written Outdoor Heat Exposure Safety Program.

FAQ

Washington heat rule: employer FAQ.

What is the Washington heat rule?

Washington's outdoor heat exposure rule (WAC 296-62-095) is enforced by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). It applies year-round to outdoor work and triggers escalating protections at 52°F, 80°F, and 90°F based on clothing weight and work intensity.

At what temperature does Washington heat protection start?

Outdoor heat protections start at 52°F for workers in vapor-barrier clothing (very low threshold). For most outdoor workers, the action level is 80°F, with stricter requirements at 90°F including mandatory paid cool-down periods of at least 10 minutes every two hours.

Does the Washington heat rule apply year-round?

Yes. Unlike most state heat standards that apply only May–September, WAC 296-62-095 applies year-round whenever outdoor temperatures exceed the rule's action levels. Employers must have an Outdoor Heat Exposure Safety Program in place at all times.

What is required in a Washington Outdoor Heat Exposure Safety Program?

The written program must cover heat illness identification, prevention measures, employee and supervisor training, water provisions (at least 1 quart per worker per hour), shade or other cooling, paid cool-down periods at high-heat triggers, and emergency response procedures.

Do cooling vests count toward Washington heat compliance?

Cooling vests are supplemental PPE that support a Washington Outdoor Heat Exposure Safety Program. They don't replace required water, shade, training, or cool-down periods, but they extend safe productive time during the high-heat windows triggered by WAC 296-62-095. See our cooling vest comparison for choosing the right type.

What industries are most affected by Washington's heat rule?

Agriculture, construction, landscaping, utilities, oil and gas, transportation, and outdoor warehousing/logistics are most affected. The rule also covers public-sector outdoor work including roads, parks, and emergency response.

Washington Heat Rule (WAC 296-62-095)

Washington's outdoor heat triggers.

Extending the productive window between cool-downs.

Washington heat rule: employer FAQ.

Keep reading.

Federal OSHA Heat Standard

Cal/OSHA Heat Standard

Cooling Vest Types Compared

Build cooling vests into your WA program.