Last month, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board approved the new regulation entitled Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment and applies to most indoor workplaces, such as restaurants, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. For indoor workplaces where the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness. Some of the requirements include providing water, rest, cool-down areas, and training. Additional requirements, where feasible, apply where the temperature reaches 87 degrees such as cooling down the work area, implementing work-rest schedules, and providing personal heat-protective equipment.
This week, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) gave final approval of the regulation, and it is effective immediately. The Association is working on specific guidance for our member, so be on the lookout for that very soon. Meanwhile, here is Cal/OSHA’s comparison of the Outdoor and Indoor heat Illness Regulations:
Comparison of Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Standards
Requirement |
Outdoor Heat (T8CCR 3395) |
Indoor Heat (T8CCR 3396) |
Scope and Application |
- Applies to outdoor workplaces
|
- Applies to indoor workplaces when the indoor temperature is greater than 82°F
|
Provide Clean Drinking Water |
- Provide access to potable water that is fresh, suitably cool, and free of charge
- Located as close as possible to work areas
|
- Provide access to potable water that is fresh, suitably cool, and free of charge
- Located as close as possible to work areas and cool-down areas
|
Access to Shade and Cool-Down Areas |
- For outdoor workplaces, shade must be present when temperatures are greater than 80°F. When temperatures are less than 80°F, shade must be available upon request
- For indoor workplaces, provide access to at least one cool-down area which must be kept at a temperature below 82°F
- Shade and cool-down areas must be:
- Blocked from direct sunlight
- Large enough to accommodate the number of workers on rest breaks so they can sit comfortably without touching each other
- Close as possible to the work areas
- For indoor workplaces, the cool-down areas must be kept at less than 82°F and shielded from other high-radiant heat sources
|
Cool-Down Rest Periods |
- Encourage workers to take preventative cool-down rest periods
- Allow workers who ask for a cool-down rest period to take one
- Monitor workers taking such rest periods for symptoms of heat-related illness
|
High-Heat Procedures |
- Have and implement procedures to deal with heat when the temperature equals or exceeds 95°F
- Procedures must include:
- Observing and communicating effectively with workers
- Reminding workers to drink water and take cool-down rest breaks
|
- Not applicable to Indoor Workplaces
|
Assessment and Control Measures |
- Not applicable to Outdoor Workplaces
|
- Measure the temperature and heat index and record whichever is greater whenever the temperature or heat index reaches 87°F (or temperature reaches 82°F for workers working in clothing that restricts heat removal or high-radiant-heat areas)
- Implement control measures to keep workers safe. Feasible engineering controls must be implemented first.
|
Monitoring the Weather |
- Monitor outdoor temperature and ensure that once the temperature exceeds 80°F, shade structures will be opened and made available to the workers
- When it is at least 95°F, implement high-heat procedures
- Train supervisors on how to check weather reports and how to respond to weather advisories
|
- For indoor workplaces that are affected by outdoor temperatures, train supervisors on how to check weather reports and how to respond to hot weather advisories
|
Emergency Response Procedures |
- Provide first aid or emergency response to any workers showing heat illness signs or symptoms, including contacting emergency medical services
|
Acclimatization |
- Closely observe new workers and newly assigned workers working in hot areas during a 14-day acclimatization period, as well as all workers working during a heat wave
|
Training |
- Employers must provide training to both workers and supervisors
|
Heat Illness Prevention Plan |
- Establish, implement, and maintain an effective written Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan that includes procedures for providing drinking water, shade, preventative rest periods, close observation during acclimatization, high-heat procedures, training, prompt emergency response
|
- Establish, implement, and maintain an effective written Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan that includes procedures for providing drinking water, cool-down areas, preventative rest periods, close observation during acclimatization, assessment and measurement of heat, training, prompt emergency response, and feasible control measures
|