Cal/OSHA Issues High Heat Advisory to Employers

Cal/OSHA is advising all employers to protect workers from heat illness as high temperatures are forecast throughout the state.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat warnings for some areas through 17.

Some of the highest temperatures forecast include:

• Imperial County: 111°F
• Palm Springs: 111°F
• Redding: 109°F
• Sacramento: 104°F
• Modesto: 103°F
• Stockton: 102°F
• Bakersfield: 107°F
• Fresno: 105°F
• Los Angeles: 90°F
• San Bernardino: 102°F

Cal/OSHA will be performing proactive high heat inspections, which includes visiting worksites where workers are the most exposed to serious heat illness including in construction, agriculture, landscaping and warehousing.

Employers with outdoor workers in all industries must encourage workers to understand and exercise their rights related to heat illness prevention, such as taking a cool-down rest when necessary.

In indoor workplaces, employers must correct unsafe conditions for workers created by heat as part of their Injury and Illness Prevention Program.

Details on heat illness prevention requirements and training materials are available online on Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention web page.

Employers with outdoor workers must take the following steps to prevent heat illness:

• Implement a written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.
• Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
• Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 32 ounces per hour, and encourage workers to do so.
• Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel the need.
• Provide proper shade when temperatures exceed 80 degrees.

Topics Commercial Lines Workers' Compensation Business Insurance