By Laurie Nooren, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-CP
Even though we are approaching the end of summer, temperatures remain high in sunny California. The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently sent an email reminder about upcoming high CA temperatures:
“Heat illness is a serious and potentially deadly hazard. Under Heat Illness Prevention Standards, employers are legally required to implement protective measures for outdoor and indoor workers. Employers may be covered under both the indoor and outdoor regulations if they have workers in each setting. See the Comparison Chart of Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Standards for more information.
Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment regulation applies to most indoor workplaces, such as restaurants, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. For indoor workplaces where the temperature reaches 82 degrees, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness. Some of the requirements include providing water, rest, cool-down areas, and training.
To prevent heat illness at outdoor worksites, the law requires employers to provide outdoor workers fresh water, access to shade (which must be in place when temperatures are 80 degrees or higher) and, whenever requested by a worker, cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks. In certain industries, when the temperature at outdoor worksites reaches or exceeds 95 degrees, Cal/OSHA’s standard requires additional protections. The industries with additional high-heat requirements are agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas extraction, and transportation of agricultural products, construction materials or other heavy materials. High-heat procedures include ensuring employees are observed regularly for signs of heat illness and establishing effective communication methods.
Employers in both settings must also maintain a written prevention plan with effective training for supervisors to recognize the common signs and symptoms of heat illness, and what to do in case of an emergency.”
Take a moment to remind your employees of the essential steps to prevent heat illness:
- Stay Hydrated
- Take frequent breaks
- Dress for the weather
- Know the symptoms
- Look out for one another
Continue to monitor weather conditions regularly and make sure your employees are prepared to work safely in the heat. Also, ensure that your heat illness prevention plans are up to date and your employees are properly trained.