Cal/OSHA Reminders Employers to Protect Workers from Heat Illness

On Wednesday, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) reminded all employers statewide to protect outdoor workers from heat illness. The reminder comes as the National Weather Service has issued heat advisories throughout the state.

According to Cal/OSHA, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness by providing water, rest, shade, and training. Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention standard applies to all outdoor worksites. To prevent heat illness, the law requires employers to provide outdoor workers with fresh water, access to shade at 80 degrees and whenever requested by a worker, cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks, and maintain a written prevention plan with training on the signs of heat illness and what to do in case of an emergency.

Additional information is available here.