Issue 122 – April 2022
RISK SOLUTIONS

Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Illness
By Maria Galvan, Senior Risk ManagerCalifornia JPIA reminds members to protect outdoor workers from heat illness as temperatures increase. A recent Cal/OSHA News Release advises all employers to take steps to protect outdoor workers from heat illness by providing water, rest, shade, and training. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, §3395, the state’s heat illness prevention in outdoor places of employment standard, applies to all outdoor worksites. This would include workers that spend a significant amount of time working outdoors, such as public works, maintenance, parks and recreation, and public safety personnel. Heat illness is more likely to occur when workers are not accustomed to working at full capacity in the hot weather, so preparation is essential for staying safe.
The law requires employers to provide outdoor workers with fresh water, access to shade at 80 degrees, and cool-down rest breaks when requested by a worker (in addition to regular breaks). Additionally, employers must maintain a written prevention plan with training on the signs of heat illness and what to do in case of an emergency.
Employers must develop, put in writing, and implement effective procedures for complying with the requirements of T8 CCR Section 3395. The Heat Illness Prevention Plan must include the following:
- Procedures for providing sufficient water
- Procedures for providing access to shade
- High-heat procedures
- Emergency response procedures
- Acclimatization methods and procedures
The Heat Illness Prevention Plan must be written both in English and in the language understood by the majority of employees. It must be available to employees at the worksite, as well as to representatives of Cal/OSHA upon request.
Members with outdoor workers must follow heat illness prevention requirements:
- Plan: Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.
- Training: Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
- Water: Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool, and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least one quart per hour and encourage workers to do so.
- Rest: Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel the need to do so to protect themselves from overheating. Workers should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
- Shade: Provide shade when workers request it or when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Workers have the right to request and be provided shade to cool off at any time.
Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention special emphasis program includes enforcement of heat regulations as well as multilingual outreach and training programs for California’s employers and workers. Details on heat illness prevention requirements and training materials are available online on Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention web page and the 99calor.org informational website. A Heat Illness Prevention online tool is also available on Cal/OSHA’s website.
Members are encouraged to take advantage of the Authority’s E-Learning Training. The Authority has developed several e-learning safety courses that comply with Cal/OSHA safety requirements, including Heat Illness – Refresher Training. Additionally, the Authority has a Heat Illness Prevention Plan available in the Resource Library. Heat safety tips and resources are also available on the National Weather Service website.
For more information, please contact your regional risk manager.
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