State to impose rules to protect farm workers from heat-related illnesses

Washington state will soon have emergency rules providing farm workers and others who work outdoors more protection from hot weather.

Following Oregon, Washington is the second state in the Pacific Northwest to announce rules of this kind. In Oregon, the state Occupational Safety and Health division finalized a new temporary emergency rule last week, effective immediately and in place for 180 days.

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But not everybody thinks regulations from the state about providing shade, water, and rest during hot weather is a good idea.

State Senator Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville), who is a wheat farmer himself, took exception to some news reports about the new rules that he believes made farmers look stupid, unresponsive, and uncaring.

He noted that farmers have done a lot on their own to help employees during times of hot weather and to adapt to hot working conditions, including by providing shade, water, breaks, and working earlier hours to avoid the hottest part of the day.

“These farmers and growers are taking steps on their own to protect their workers, without the heavy hand of Governor Inslee and the Department of Labor and Industries,” Schoesler wrote.

“These growers value their workers,” he added. “Workers are in short supply, and if you don’t treat them well, they leave.”

Breakdown of records set during Washington’s heat wave

So far, nearly 80 deaths in Washington state have been linked to the extreme heat wave last month.

The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.

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