California’s New Indoor Heat Protection Rules Now Enforced

On July 23, 2024, California’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment Standard to safeguard workers from excessive indoor heat. This new regulation, effective immediately, mandates that employers adopt specific safety measures when indoor temperatures reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Key Requirements of the Indoor Heat Standard

The new standard applies to all indoor work environments where temperatures meet or exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The main requirements include:

1. Implementation of Engineering Controls:

   • Employers must utilize air conditioning or increase ventilation to lower indoor temperatures.
   • Maintain temperatures below 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present.
   • Keep temperatures below 82 degrees Fahrenheit in high-radiant heat areas or where protective clothing is worn.

2. Provision of Cool Resources:

   • Employees must have access to fresh, cool drinking water.
   • "Cool-down" areas must be maintained below 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Emergency Response Procedures:

   • Employers must establish protocols for contacting emergency services, providing basic first aid, and monitoring employees for heat illness symptoms.

4. Employee Monitoring:

   • Observations are required for the first 14 days when employees are acclimating to high-temperature environments.
   • Continuous monitoring during heat waves, especially where no engineering controls are in use.

5. Heat Illness Prevention Plan:

   • Employers must maintain a written heat illness prevention plan.
   • Training for workers and supervisors on the implementation of this plan is mandatory.

Exemptions to the Heat Standard

The indoor heat standard does not apply to:

• Employees telework from a self-chosen location, not under employer control.
• Local and state correctional facilities.
• Emergency operations involved in life or property protection.
• Incidental heat exposure where temperatures between 82 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit are experienced for less than 15 minutes in any hour. However, this exemption does not cover vehicles without effective air conditioning or during loading and unloading activities in shipping or intermodal containers.

Important Highlights

• The indoor heat protection rules were approved on July 23, 2024, and are now in effect.
• Employers are required to maintain safe indoor temperatures and adopt additional measures to prevent heat illness.

Steps for Employers

To comply with the new regulations, employers should:

• Audit the temperatures of their facilities and ensure effective temperature control measures are in place.
• Provide access to cool drinking water and cool-down areas for employees.
• Develop and implement a heat illness prevention plan, including training protocols for both supervisors and employees.

For more details, employers can refer to Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Guidance and Resources page and the frequently asked questions section on the new standard.

By following these steps, employers can ensure a safer, more comfortable work environment, protecting their employees from the dangers of excessive indoor heat. For more information contact a TPG Risk Management Specialist at 909.466.7876 today!

Also, check out these other blog articles:

• Heat Illness Safety Tips for Outdoor Employees
• Assess Your Convenience Store's Risk Before It's Too Late