Indoor Heat Illness Standard Now in Effect
Greetings,
On July 23, 2024, California’s Office of Administrative Law approved the Cal/OSH Standards Board’s new indoor heat illness regulation. The regulation went into effect immediately. Employers should expect Cal/OSHA to enforce the new regulation without delay.
The Heat Illness in Indoor Places of Employment regulation, found at Title 8 CCR Section 3396, applies to nearly all indoor places of work where temperatures reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., restaurants, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, etc.). Very few workplaces are exempt. Additional requirements apply where the temperature reaches 87 degrees. For applicable employers, specific steps must be taken to address potential heat illness.
There are several requirements in the regulation worth noting:
Employers must provide sufficient, suitably cool drinking water close to work areas
Employers must establish cool-down areas that are below 82 degrees, if feasible
Temperature and heat index must be monitored, and control measures implemented
Employers must establish an Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan that is compliant with the regulatory requirements
Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Unit will be hosting two webinars on the new regulation, which will allow for Q&A from participants. The webinars are scheduled for:
August 6, 2024 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Registration Link: Webinar Registration - Zoom
August 12, 2024 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Registration Link: Webinar Registration - Zoom
You will find additional resources at the links below:
Full Text of Regulation: Indoor Heat Updated Final Text (ca.gov)
Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Guidance & Resources: Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Guidance and Resources
Cal/OSHA Template Indoor Heat Prevention Plan: HIP-sample-procedures.docx (live.com)
Indoor Heat Illness Prevention FAQs: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heat-illness/Indoor-faq.html
Comparison Chart for Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Standards: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/HeatIllnessInfo.html
We encourage employers to promptly evaluate their work areas in order to assess whether the new regulation may apply to their facilities. Expect Cal/OSHA to do the same.
As always, please contact our office with any questions. Stay safe (and cool!) out there this summer.