Calif. law a model for all heat illness prevention programs

Living out here in California, we have many parts of our state that can get very hot and stay that way all summer long. One of the best things I have seen CAL/OSHA do in the past few years is address the hazards of working in hot environments through an updated Heat Illness Prevention law.

While the law only applies in California, it provides a great guide for employers everywhere to protect their workers from the heat.

The law gives detailed information to employers on how to provide a workplace that gives everyone access to rest, water and shade when the temperature reaches 80 degrees or above. Some important requirements of this law include:

Provide fresh, pure and suitably cool water at the amount of at least one quart per employee per hour.

• Provide shaded areas that are open to the air, ventilated or cooled to accommodate all workers on recovery or rest periods.
• Encourage employees to take preventative cool-down rest periods and monitoring employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness.
• Develop emergency response procedures to address employees who may be suffering from a heat related illness.
• Acclimate employees who are not used to working in a high heat environment, including heat waves that may occur in their workplace.
• Train employees and supervisors on recognizing and responding to heat-related illness along with the procedures of their company’s written Heat Illness Prevention Program.

There are additional requirements that kick in once the temperature meets or exceeds 95 degrees as the risk for heat related illness becomes greater. CAL/OSHA has an excellent web page to educate both workers and employers on its Heat Illness Prevention law.