Puget Sound Chapter Meeting – April 2025

We are meeting in person at the Doubletree Suites at Southcenter and offering a virtual option via Zoom.

For those attending in person, the chapter will cover the cost of your breakfast, but please register accordingly so that we have enough food and a room large enough to accommodate everyone.

For those attending in person, please plan to arrive between 7:00-7:30 and join us for a buffet breakfast at 7:30 AM.  We will begin the presentation at 8:00 for those attending virtually.

Speaker Names

• Chris Pyke, Industrial Hygiene Technical Specialist, WA Dept. of Labor & Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health
• Michelle Unger, Industrial Hygiene Technical Specialist, WA Dept. of Labor & Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health

Presentation Title

Heat Stress and Wildfire Smoke: Protecting Workers in a Changing Climate

Description

Workers in Washington state are exposed to growing risks from heat stress and wildfire smoke as the climate changes. To address these serious health hazards, Washington has developed rules to establish minimum protections for outdoor workers. The heat and wildfire smoke rules focus on protecting workers by using weather and air quality data to determine when employers need to provide protection. But simply following the minimum requirements may not be enough to keep workers safe. This presentation will explore the state’s rules for protecting workers from wildfire smoke and heat stress, and discuss ways that employers and workers can go beyond the minimum requirements to create a safer and healthier work environment. By taking proactive steps to protect workers from these hazards, you can help prevent illnesses and injuries, and ensure that workers can do their jobs safely and effectively.

About the Speaker

Chris Pyke is an industrial hygiene technical specialist with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries’ Division of Occupational Safety & Health. Chris specializes in protecting workers from the occupational health impacts of climate change, including wildfire smoke and heat stress, as well as airborne particulates including asbestos and crystalline silica. He earned his Master of Science in environmental and occupational health sciences from the University of Washington.

Michelle Unger is an industrial hygiene technical specialist with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries’ Division of Occupational Safety & Health. Michelle specializes in protecting workers from heat related illness, as well as hazards common to chemical manufacturing facilities. She holds a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager credential and has a background in environmental engineering for the petroleum refining industry.

Virtual Option – Join Zoom Meeting

Puget Sound ASSP is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91728697457?pwd=Mkg1cEFTb01OaHJOaWxJaXFiOXM2QT09

Meeting ID: 917 2869 7457
Passcode: 238605
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,91728697457#,,,,*238605# US (Tacoma)
+16699009128,,91728697457#,,,,*238605# US (San Jose)