CAL/OSHA Implements Heat Safety Regulations, November 4
The revisions to the Heat Illness Prevention Standard, approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on Aug. 19, became effective today. The revised standards provide clarification of the shade requirement, including temperature triggers and address high-heat requirements.
Shade Requirements:
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Must be present to accommodate 25 percent of the employees on the shift at any time when temperatures exceed 85 degrees, and located as close as practicable to the areas where employees are working. 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.
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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 employer may utilize alternative procedures for providing access to shade if the alternative procedures provide equivalent protection.
- Except for employers in the agriculture industry, cooling measures other than shade may be provided in lieu of shade if the employer can demonstrate that these measures are at least as effective as shade in allowing employees to cool.
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
A full copy of the standards can be secured from the Cal/OSHA website or from Western Growers Insurance Services. We can also provide heat illness training and other safety and first aid needs. For more information, or to get a copy of the new revisions, please contact us.