CAL/OSHA Adopts Revised Heat Safety Regulations
On August 19, 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved revisions to the Heat Illness Prevention Standard. The modifications address high-heat procedure requirements for five industries, clarification of the shade requirement including temperature triggers, and the provision for flexibility to employers under this requirement.
High-Heat Rules
High-heat procedures are now required for five industries when temperatures reach 95 degrees or above. These procedures include observing employees, closely supervising new employees and reminding all workers to drink water. The industries specified under this modification are:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Landscaping
- Oil and gas extraction
- Transportation or delivery of agricultural products, construction material or other heavy materials
Shade Requirements
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Must be present when temperatures reach or exceed 85 degrees. When temperatures are below 85 degrees, employers shall provide timely access to shade upon an employee’s request.
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Shade must be located as close as practicable to the areas where employees are working.
- Allow for all industries excluding agriculture to implement alternative procedures for providing access to shade in instances where the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or unsafe to have a shade structure, or otherwise to have shade present on a continuous basis. The alternative procedures/cooling methods must provide equivalent protection as shade and can include methods such as misting machines.
The Office of Administrative Law now has 30 business days to approve the modifications. The revisions are expected to take effect this fall.
For more information on heat illness prevention and training materials, visit the Cal/OSHA Web site. If you have questions about heat stress or would like to schedule heat stress training for your employees, please contact us.