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BIAW to weigh in on proposed wildfire smoke safety rules

June 26, 2023

As Washington braces for wildfire season, the state Dept. of Labor & Industries is holding hearings on new rules for wildfire smoke safety in our industry and others.

Proposed wildfire smoke safety rules

The proposed wildfire smoke rules include specific protections depending on air quality levels. They also require employers to monitor air quality and alert employees when the air is at certain exposure thresholds.

Employers must allow employees to report wildfire smoke hazards and to receive medical treatment. Finally, employers must notify affected employees whenever they are exposed to wildfire smoke in excess of any of the air quality thresholds listed in this table.

Public hearings scheduled

In-Person Public Hearings

  • July 18, 2023, 10 a.m.
    Hampton Inn by Hilton
    2010 South Assembly Road
    Spokane WA 99224
  • July 19, 2023, 10 a.m.
    Red Lion Hotel Columbia Center
    1101 N Columbia Center Blvd.
    Kennewick, WA 99336
  • July 20, 2023, 10 a.m.
    Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
    4040 Northwest Ave.
    Bellingham, WA 98226
  • July 25, 2023, 10 a.m.
    Clark College at Columbia Tech Center
    18700 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
    Vancouver, WA 98683
  • July 26, 2023, 10 a.m.
    Department of Labor & Industries
    12806 Gateway Drive South
    Tukwila, WA 98168
  • July 27, 2023, 10 a.m.
    Yakima Valley College, Meeting Room 122
    1405 W Nob Hill Blvd.
    Yakima, WA 98902

Virtual Public Hearings

  • July 28, 2023, 2 p.m.
    https://lni-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/87690786178?pwd=W WNwTTFzeS9TK0NGVUVNMmJkUmVZZz09
    Password (if prompted): Wildfire@1
    To join by phone (audio only):
    253-205-0468 or 253-215-8782
    Meeting ID: 876 9078 6178.
    Passcode: 4682009778
  • July 31, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
    https://lni-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/88952312151?pwd=alh aY29hTkpKYXFlZk5rZEJueG1wZz09
    Password (if prompted): 731#WildF
    To join by phone (audio only):
    253-205-0468 or 253-215-8782
    Meeting ID: 889 5231 2151
    Passcode: 812052858.

A pre-hearing overview will occur one hour prior to the start of each public hearing. The hearings will begin at the indicated times, and will continue until all oral comments are received.

BIAW weighed in on emergency rules last summer. The association is preparing testimony for the new proposed rules as well.

For more information, visit: www.Lni.wa.gov/WildfireSmoke 

 

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