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 Energy & Industrials 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.

Sources: WAC 296-62-095, Outdoor Heat Exposure and Washington L&I safety rules, Chapter 296-62.

What the rule actually requires

Washington, tier by tier.

Washington's rule runs year-round, not just in summer. The obligations step up as the temperature does.

80°F

Action level

Cool drinking water, one quart per hour per worker
Shade or other means to cool down
Written outdoor heat exposure program
Annual training before outdoor work starts

90°F

High heat

Paid cool-down rest periods
Mandatory observation for heat illness signs
Emergency response steps rehearsed

Washington compliance: where do you stand?

0 of 8

Written outdoor heat exposure programReviewed and current for this season.
One quart of cool water per worker per hourSuitably cool and easy to reach from the work area.
Shade or equivalent cooling availableClose enough that workers actually use it.
Paid cool-down periods scheduled above 90°FPaid, not unpaid break time.
Acclimatization for new and returning workersRamped exposure, closely watched.
Annual heat training completedWorkers and supervisors, before exposure.
Observation in place at high heatBuddy system or supervisor monitoring.
Written emergency response procedureEveryone knows who calls and what address to give.

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 (one battery swap) between mandatory cool-downs.
No waterDoesn't compete with the 1 qt/hr hydration requirement.
PPE-fitSub-3 lbs, worn under hi-vis, works with a fall-arrest harness.
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.

Washington, tier by tier.

Washington compliance: where do you stand?

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.