The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) updated its rulemaking website
Rules filed?May 10, 2023
For information on all L&I meetings and public hearings related to rulemaking, please visit our?public participation calendar.
Division:?Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH)
Topic:?Proposal (CR-102) ? Wildfire Smoke
Brief Description:?The purpose of this rulemaking is to address the hazards associated with wildfire smoke. This rulemaking proposed to create a new chapter, chapter 296-820 WAC, Wildfire smoke, and to duplicate these new requirements into chapter 296-307 WAC, Safety standards for agriculture, Part G-1. Wildfire smoke presents hazards that employers and workers in affected regions must understand. Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases and fine particles that can harm health. Proper protective equipment, exposure controls, and training are needed for employees working in wildfire regions.
L&I issued emergency rules in the summer of 2021 and 2022, and began the permanent rulemaking process. Prior to the issuance of the emergency rule in summer 2021, there were no regulations to address the hazard of wildfire smoke inhalation among outdoor workers in Washington State.
Public hearing dates: July 18, 2023 (Spokane)
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?July 19, 2023 (Kennewick)
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?July 20, 2023 (Bellingham)
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?July 25, 2023 (Vancouver)
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?July 26, 2023 (Tukwila)
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?July 27, 2023 (Yakima)
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?July 28, 2023 (Virtual and Telephonic)
Written comments due: August 4, 2023
Intended adoption date: August 18, 2023
The links below provide additional information about this rulemaking:
CR-102 Proposal
Proposal Language
Small Business Economic Impact Statement memo
Preliminary Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)
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