Cal/OSHA Issues High Heat Advisory for California as
Temperatures Soar
Oakland—Cal/OSHA is urging
all employers throughout the entire state to protect their outdoor workers from
heat illness. The National Weather Service has issued high heat advisories and
excessive heat warnings for portions of Northern and Southern California. The
increasing high pressure will result in very dry conditions with temperatures
climbing to over 100 degrees inland.
“When
temperatures rise to high, potentially dangerous levels, it’s imperative that
outdoor workers are protected from heat illness,” said Christine Baker,
Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The Division of
Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, is a division of DIR.
Heat
advisories and excessive heat warnings are issued by the National Weather
Service when weather conditions exist that can cause heat illness, which can be
life threatening. California’s heat regulation requires all employers with
outdoor workers to protect outdoor workers by taking these basic steps:
- Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
- Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart, or four 8-ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so.
- Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
- Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.
“Workers
can die when temperatures are elevated,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum.
“Employers are responsible for ensuring their outdoor workers have enough
shade, water, and rest to prevent heat illness. DIR and Cal/OSHA have resources
available to help employers comply with the requirements.”
When temperatures reach 95
degrees, special “high heat” procedures are also required. These procedures
include:
- Observing workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness.
- Providing close supervision of workers in their first 14 days of employment to ensure acclimatization.
- Having effective communication systems in place to be able to call for emergency assistance if necessary.
Cal/OSHA will inspect outdoor
worksites in industries such as agriculture, construction, landscaping, and
others throughout the heat season. Through partnerships with various employer
and worker organizations in different industries, Cal/OSHA will also provide
consultation, outreach and training on heat illness prevention.
Cal/OSHA’s award-winning heat
illness prevention campaign, the first of its kind in the nation, includes
enforcement of heat regulations as well as outreach and training for
California’s employers and workers.
Online
information on the heat illness prevention requirements and training materials
can be obtained at Cal/OSHA’s
Heat Illness web page or the Water.
Rest. Shade. campaign site. A Heat Illness Prevention e-tool
is also available on Cal/OSHA’s website. Weather updates are provided by the National Weather Service.
Cal/OSHA
helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every
workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s
Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to
employers and employee organizations to improve their health and safety
programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA
Consultation Services.
Employees
with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in
English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers’
Information line at 866-924-9757 provides recorded information in English and
Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed
confidentially with Cal/OSHA
district offices.