Staying Cool Outdoors and Indoors: California’s Heat Illness Prevention Requirements

With Spring here, soon some parts of California will begin to see temperatures soar. California employers will need to turn their attention to a critical workplace safety concern—Heat Illness Prevention. When we think of heat illness prevention, agriculture often comes to mind. The peak harvest season aligns with the hottest months, increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses due to extended work hours and intense physical labor. However, agriculture isn’t the only industry affected. Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention requirements apply broadly to both outdoor and indoor places of employment.

Covered Workspaces

In 2006, California was the first state to implement outdoor heat safety regulations, setting the standard for others to follow. Then, at the end of last year, Cal/OSHA passed heat illness prevention regulations for indoor workplaces.  Employers may be covered under both the indoor and outdoor regulations if they have both indoor and outdoor workplaces:

• The push for indoor heat illness regulations was aimed at workspaces that are prone to extreme heat, such as warehouses and restaurant kitchens, but the indoor heat standard applies to indoor workspaces where the temperature reaches 82F while employees are present. “Indoor workspaces” are generally anything with enclosed sides and a ceiling.
  • There are limited exceptions such as employees working from home and employees whose exposure is limited to 1 hour cumulative in a shift.
• The outdoor heat regulation applies to outdoor workspaces, which are all workspaces that are not “indoor.”

Employer Responsibilities

Common to both types of workspaces is the requirement for employers to plan in advance by implementing a Heat Illness Written Plan (HIPP) tailored to the worksite. Employers can follow this link to find a template for Indoor or Outdoor places of employment.

Why Compliance Matters

In recent years, heat illness prevention violations have consistently ranked among Cal/OSHA’s top five most-cited workplace safety issues. Employers who fail to meet these requirements risk penalties, legal action, and—most importantly—jeopardize the health and safety of their workers.

CEA offers resources to help businesses stay compliant, including a Heat Illness Prevention Toolkit and bilingual training sessions for employees. In addition, we have Safety Partners that are equipped to assist with specific safety projects. Now is the time to review your policies, update your HIPP, and ensure your team is prepared to beat the heat this summer. Stay cool, stay compliant, and keep your workforce safe!