What are the basic requirements for protecting workers from heat illness?
Reviewing the requirements for preventing heat illness among workers is a good idea, especially considering the recent heat advisories from the National Weather Service for parts of Central and Southern California.
Employees’ reaction to high temperatures can become serious quickly, so it is best to be ahead of the curve.
The concepts are very similar whether you are protecting workers in outdoor workplaces or indoor ones. Important tools include air conditioning (where possible), lots of water, shade (where available), access to cooldown areas and moving air.
Be sure to maintain equipment in good working condition. Cal/OSHA’s recommendations about clothing also may be useful.
Outdoor heat illness prevention regulations become active when air temperature reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit while indoor heat illness prevention regulations become active when the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present.
Each set of regulations has its own specific written plan employers must create and maintain if covered by either or both the outdoor and indoor heat illness regulations.
Indoor Requirements
The Cal/OSHA regulation for preventing heat illness in indoor places of employment applies to most indoor workplaces, with coverage commonly applying to restaurants, warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
However, even uncommon events such as office environments losing their air conditioning can trigger coverage if the internal temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit while employees are present.
The requirements include making lots of water available (a minimum of one quart per hour for each affected employee), providing rest breaks, cool-down areas, and training.
Additional assessment and control measures may be required where workers wear clothing that restricts heat removal or work in a high-radiant-heat area or for all workers when the temperature or heat index reaches 87 degrees Fahrenheit in an area when employees are present.
Outdoor Work
Outdoor workers need to be monitored carefully. Here again, volumes of water are required, and employees should be trained in the functions they are to perform.
To prevent heat illness outdoors, be sure to provide outdoor workers with fresh water, and access to shade in places where the temperature reaches 80 degrees.
Industries with additional requirements when the temperature reaches 95 degrees outdoors are oil and gas, agriculture, construction, landscaping, and transportation of agricultural products and construction materials and other heavy materials.
For more information on preventing heat illness outdoors and indoors, CalChamber members can visit the HR Library on HRCalifornia.
Column based on questions asked by callers on the Labor Law Helpline, a service to California Chamber of Commerce preferred members and above. For expert explanations of labor laws and Cal/OSHA regulations, not legal counsel for specific situations, call (800) 348-2262 or submit your question at www.hrcalifornia.com.
