Stay Cool, Stay Compliant: California’s Heat Safety Requirements

Did you know that, in 2006, California was the first state in the nation to adopt an outdoor heat illness prevention standard? Now, two decades later, California has both an outdoor and an indoor heat safety standard. As we enter the summer months with record-breaking heat on the horizon, make sure you are keeping your workplace cool, safe, and compliant.

Outdoor v. Indoor Standard

First, it is important to determine whether your work area is considered indoors or outdoors, as different standards apply. Also, don’t assume your workplace only falls under one standard. Some employers must comply with both indoor and outdoor heat requirements. For example, a restaurant with an outdoor seating section likely falls under both standards.

Indoor places are spaces that are under a ceiling or overhead covering that restricts airflow and is enclosed along the entire perimeter by walls, doors, windows, dividers, or other physical barriers that restrict airflow, whether open or closed. Generally, any workplace with a roof and enclosed sides is considered an indoor workplace.

Outdoor places are all other work areas that are not indoors. Outdoor places can include partial structures such as lean-tos and structures with one or more open sides.

Covered Workplaces

The outdoor standard applies to all outdoor places of employment. The indoor standard applies to all indoor places of employment where the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present.

Employer Obligations

Under both standards, covered employers must satisfy a number of key requirements, including:

• Maintaining a written Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP);
• Training employees and supervisors on heat illness;
• Providing sufficient drinking water;
• Providing access to cool-down areas and breaks;
• Developing effective emergency response procedures;
• Ensuring acclimatization (i.e., making sure employees gradually adapt to working in the heat).

The outdoor standard additionally requires:

• Monitoring the weather;
• Providing access to shade upon request or when temperatures are greater than 80 degrees;
• Establishing high heat procedures (certain industries) when the temperature reaches 95 degrees.

When certain risk factors are present, the indoor standard additionally requires:

• Heat measurements;
• Additional monitoring of new employees and newly-assigned employees working in hot areas;
• Controls to keep workers safe (e.g., engineering controls, administrative controls, etc.)

Resources

CEA members may access our comprehensive Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Fact Sheets for detailed information on these requirements.

Cal/OSHA provides a Heat Illness Prevention Plan template that covers both indoor and outdoor requirements. Employers should customize the plan for their business. If you need specialized consultation or assistance with safety training, refer to CEA’s Safety Partners.