SPOKANE, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging outdoor workers to stay hydrated and take regular breaks during the heatwave.
Amidst the rising extreme weather due to the climate crisis, FEMA is recommending outdoor workers to maintain proper sodium and electrolyte levels, wear light clothing, and be on the lookout for heat-related illnesses.
In Washington, workers are entitled to additional cooling rest periods of at least ten minutes every two hours when temperatures exceed 90 degrees as per the WA Department of Labor and Industries.
There are no specific regulations in Idaho or Montana, but the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that workers be protected from “heat hazards.”
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2-degree increase in global average surface temperature since the mid-1850s industrialization era has led to significant changes in weather patterns.
“This additional heat is causing more regional and seasonal temperature extremes, reduced snow cover and sea ice, increased heavy rainfall, and modified habitat ranges for plants and animals,” NOAA explained.
With temperatures on the rise, businesses and workers are adapting to a new environmental reality for outdoor work.
