When the Forecast Becomes a Workplace Issue: Heat, Smoke, and Summer Safety

Posted August 3, 2026

Summer in Washington brings longer days, busy schedules, outdoor events, construction season, tourism, agriculture, landscaping, deliveries, and plenty of reasons for businesses to be active outside. It can also bring heat, wildfire smoke, and rapidly changing conditions that affect employees, customers, schedules, and operations.

For employers, summer weather is not just a comfort issue. It can become a workplace safety issue.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) reminds employers that outdoor heat exposure safety should be addressed as part of a required Accident Prevention Program. Current outdoor heat exposure rules include requirements for annual training for employees and supervisors, cool drinking water, opportunities for workers to drink water, and access to shade or other cooling methods to help prevent or respond to heat illness.

That kind of planning matters before the hottest day arrives.

Heat-related illness can become serious quickly. Workers who are unprepared for outdoor heat have an increased risk of heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke. L&I points to simple but important prevention measures: planning, training, drinking enough water, taking preventative cool-down breaks, and making shade available.

Wildfire smoke creates another layer of summer workplace planning. L&I’s wildfire smoke guidance says covered employers must prepare a written wildfire smoke response plan, provide wildfire smoke training to employees, watch PM2.5 conditions and forecasts, prepare a two-way communication system, and make provisions for prompt medical attention.

For business decision makers, the takeaway is straightforward: don’t wait until the air is smoky or the temperature is climbing to decide who is responsible for monitoring conditions, communicating with employees, adjusting work, or responding if someone experiences symptoms.

A few questions employers may want to ask now:

  • Is outdoor heat exposure addressed in our Accident Prevention Program?
  • Have employees and supervisors received annual training?
  • Do workers have access to cool drinking water and shade or other cooling methods?
  • Who monitors heat, wildfire smoke, PM2.5 conditions, and forecasts?
  • Do employees know how to report symptoms or concerns?
  • Do supervisors know what to do if a worker shows signs of heat illness or symptoms potentially related to wildfire smoke exposure?
  • Do we have a communication plan that works for employees in the field, on the road, or away from a central workplace?

L&I also offers templates, training resources, and sample plans employers can use and adapt to their own workplaces. Those resources are especially helpful because summer safety planning should reflect the actual conditions and hazards employees may face.

The goal is not just compliance. It is keeping people safe, reducing disruption, and helping businesses operate responsibly through the season.

Summer is a busy and important time for many employers in our region. A little preparation now can help protect workers, support smoother operations, and make sure businesses are ready when the forecast becomes more than just a forecast.

For more resources, please check out the following:

This article is part of a partnership with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) – more information can be found here: Lni.wa.gov/HeatSmart