Cal/OSHA Steps up Heat Illness Prevention Enforcement
As temperatures hit the triple digits in many parts of California farm country, the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) is stepping up heat illness prevention enforcement at outdoor worksites statewide. The department specifically will target outdoor industries including agriculture, construction and landscaping.
Cal/OSHA’s efforts this summer will also target employers who evade laws protecting employees from heat-related illness, according to a press release. The department’s enforcement efforts will include statewide traveling heat sweeps and local district actions when temperatures rise. The state will also step up enforcement through the Economic and Employment Enforcement Coalition.
“While we have seen growing compliance with the heat illness prevention regulations, all employers must continue to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent serious worker illness and death due to high heat,” Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen Widess said in a press release. “We will be out there across the state, ensuring that all employers are complying with the heat standard. These basic requirements—adequate water, shade, rest breaks, training and emergency procedures—can mean the difference between life and death to protect the most vulnerable employees working outdoors.”
The state strengthened heat illness prevention standards last year to include a high heat provision that must be implemented by five industries including agriculture when temperatures reach 95 degrees. Cal/OSHA will also host an outreach meeting June 28 in San Bernardino to discuss the heat illness prevention program this summer. Two sessions—9 a.m. to noon and 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.—will focus on concerns and suggestions of the employer community and suggestions from workers. More information on the outreach sessions is available online.
Western Growers Insurance Services offers heat illness training in English or Spanish in addition to other safety and first aid training. If you have questions regarding any heat illness issues, would like to schedule heat illness training or to learn more about our safety services, please contact us.