Washington State Issues Emergency Outdoor Heat Exposure Rule For Workers

Washington state has rolled out an emergency rule that provides outdoor workers more protections from heat-related illnesses.

Washington followed in Oregon's footsteps. That state's Occupational Safety and Health division Thursday finalized a new temporary emergency rule. It went into effect immediately and will stay in place for 180 days.

Related: Protecting America's infrastructure workers during summer heat waves

"In the face of an unprecedented heat wave in the Pacific Northwest — and tragic consequences — it is absolutely critical that we continue to build up our defenses against the effects of climate change, including extreme heat events," Andrew Stolfi, director of the state agency that includes Oregon OSHA, said.

Washington is in its second heat wave in as many weeks. High temperatures in eastern parts of the state will hover around 100 degrees through Wednesday. This, after a nearly weeklong late-June triple-digit heat wave in the Northwest produced new all-time records for Spokane (109) and Seattle (107).

More than 180 people died in Washington and Oregon combined during the June heat wave, including an Oregon farmworker whose body was found in a blueberry field. This is according to a Seattle Times report. Union and other farmworker advocates in both states have called for more rest breaks, shade and other protections for the men and women working in the heat in Northwest fields and orchards.