The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) reached a significant milestone on June 20, 2024, by unanimously adopting a new standard for Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment. This decision came after a failed attempt to pass the regulation on procedural grounds. Despite initial expectations for the standard to take effect in August, Cal/OSHA surprised many by quietly updating its website, announcing that the regulation had already gone into effect on July 23, 2024. As a result, California’s new indoor heat standard is now enforceable. Employers across various industries are required to implement safety measures aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses in indoor work environments.
“This regulation provides protections for workers across California and helps prepare employers to deal with the challenges of rising temperatures in indoor environments,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee in a press release. “My team has prepared resources so that employers can quickly comply with the new requirements and ensure their employees’ safety.”
Under the new standard, most workplaces in California must adopt several worker safety measures when indoor temperatures reach specific levels. This regulation, designed to protect workers from excessive indoor heat, applies to indoor work areas where the temperature reaches or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit. With this regulation in place, California becomes only the third state in the U.S. to adopt specific protections for indoor workers against heat-related illnesses.
Key Requirements of the New Standard
The new standard applies to work areas with indoor temperatures reaching 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Additional measures must be taken when temperatures reach 87 degrees Fahrenheit or 82 degrees Fahrenheit when employees wear heat-restrictive clothing. Workplaces are required to implement some or all of the following, depending on the heat index at the workplace:
Water and Cool-Down Areas
Employers must supply fresh, pure, and suitably cool drinking water. If running water is unavailable, employers must provide one quart of water per hour per employee. Cool-down areas should be maintained below 82 degrees and shielded from direct sunlight and high radiant heat sources.
Heat Illness Prevention Plan
Employers are required to develop and implement a written heat illness prevention plan tailored to their specific workplace conditions. This plan must include procedures for accessing water, acclimatization, and emergency response measures.
Training and Monitoring
Employees and supervisors must be trained on the risks of heat illness. Specifically regarding instructions on responding to symptoms and monitoring environmental conditions. Supervisors receive additional training on responding to heat-related emergencies and monitoring hot weather advisories.
Exceptions to the Regulation
The new standard does not apply to:
- Indoor work locations where employees are exposed to temperatures above 82 degrees but below 95 degrees Fahrenheit for less than 15 minutes in any one-hour period.
- Emergency operations involved in protecting life or property.
- Remote employees who are teleworking at a location of their choice.
- Local and state correctional facilities
Cal/OSHA is developing a specific regulation for correctional facilities to address indoor heat hazards. In the interim, inspections will be conducted under existing regulations such as the Injury and Illness Prevention Program and Water Supply.
Dual Coverage: Indoor and Outdoor Regulations
Employers with indoor and outdoor workplaces may need to comply with indoor and outdoor heat illness prevention standards. For detailed information on how these regulations differ, employers can refer to the Comparison Chart of Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Standards.
The Broader Impact
With the implementation of this new standard, California joins Oregon and Minnesota as the only states with specific protections for indoor workers against heat-related illnesses. This comes in the context of a broader national discussion on the need for more robust protections for workers in extreme temperatures, both indoors and outdoors.
While OSHA is working on developing a nationwide heat standard, the process has been slow. In the meantime, individual states and localities are left to create their own regulations, leading to a patchwork of protections that vary widely depending on location.
Adopting this standard marks a significant stride in prioritizing the safety of workers in California’s increasingly hot indoor environments. It also sets a noteworthy precedent for potential nationwide adoption. Employers are urged to take prompt action to comply with the new regulations. By doing so, ensuring the safety of their workplaces and safeguarding their employees from the hazards of heat-related illnesses.
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