California's New Indoor Heat Illness Rule
Starting this summer, a new rule in California will affect indoor workspaces where temperatures reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This rule aims to protect workers from heat illness and requires employers to take specific actions. Here’s what you need to know:
Requirements for 82-Degree Temperatures
Heat Illness Prevention Plan: Employers must create a plan tailored to their specific workplace and should cover:
Access to water
Cool-down areas
Temperature monitoring
Emergency procedures
Cool-Down Rest Periods: Workers must have access to areas cooler than 82 degrees for breaks. Employers should encourage rest in these areas and monitor employees for signs of heat illness.
Drinking Water: Employers must provide cool, fresh water close to work areas. If there is no running water, one quart per hour must be supplied to each employee.
Training: Both supervisors and employees must be trained on the risks of heat illness and the procedures to prevent it.
Acclimatization: New or returning workers must be monitored closely for heat stress during their first 14 days in high heat conditions.
Requirements for 87-Degree Temperatures (or 82 Degrees with Specific Conditions)
Temperature Monitoring: Employers must measure and record temperatures when they reach 87 degrees or 82 degrees in specific conditions, like when employees wear heat-restrictive clothing.
Control Measures: Employers must take steps to reduce the temperature using methods like air conditioning, fans, or scheduling changes. If these measures don’t work, personal cooling equipment must be used.
Notable Exceptions
Brief Indoor Exposures: The rule doesn’t apply if employees are exposed to high temperatures for less than 15 minutes per hour.
Teleworking and Emergency Operations: The rule doesn’t apply to employees working from home by choice or to emergency operations protecting life or property.
