With temperatures rising throughout the state, it is critical to ensure that you, and your workforce, are prepared. Below you will find numerous educational resources for protecting your workforce.
Cal/OSHA reminds all employers with outdoor workers to be prepared and take the necessary precautions to prevent heat illness, as temperatures rise in the summer months. Employers in California must take steps to protect outdoor workers from heat illness by providing water, rest, shade, and training. Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention standard applies to all outdoor worksites. To prevent heat illness, the law requires employers to provide outdoor workers fresh water, access to shade at 80 degrees, and, whenever requested by a worker, cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks. Employers must also maintain a written prevention plan with effective training for supervisors to recognize the common signs and symptoms of heat illness, and what to do in case of an emergency.
The agricultural industry, amongst others, has additional required protections when outdoor worksites reach or exceed 95 degrees. High-heat procedures include ensuring employees are observed regularly for signs of heat illness and establishing effective communication methods so workers can contact a supervisor when needed.
Employers with outdoor workers in all industries must take the following steps to prevent heat illness:
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Plan – Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.
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Training – Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
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Water – Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool, and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.
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Rest – Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel the need to do so to protect themselves from overheating. Workers should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
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Shade – Provide proper shade when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Workers have the right to request and be provided shade to cool off at any time.
You can help protect workers by sharing information about workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities. Share these resources to promote awareness and prevention of heat illness at work:
- Videos on outdoor workers’ rights
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English (30 seconds), Spanish (15 seconds, 30 seconds)
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Free training materials for download or print order. Visit 99calor.org to download or request copies in English and Spanish.
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Employers can get free assistance on developing and maintaining heat illness prevention programs from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services. Visit Cal/OSHA’s website, call 1-800-963-9424 or email us at [email protected].
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Call Cal/OSHA’s Call Center. Workers and employers can ask questions about workplace safety and health by calling Cal/OSHA’s Call Center staffed during business hours in English and Spanish at 833-579-0927.
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Invite Cal/OSHA to give an educational training or presentation by using the outreach request form.
