Cal/OSHA, the nation’s leading state agency in workplace safety and health, has implemented updates to its heat safety standard. The amendments strengthen the landmark heat illness prevention standard which was the first of its kind, implemented in 2006. The amendments to the standard, which were effective in late 2010, are now being enforced in 2011. This is especially important as we move into the summer months and experience hotter temperatures. The revisions provide clarification of several critical components which include shade requirements, temperature triggers and general high-heat rules.
The shade requirements have been enhanced to include that shade must be present to accommodate 25% of the employees on a shift at any time when the temperatures exceed 85 degrees. Shade must be located as close as practicable to the areas where employees are working and, when temperatures fall below 85 degrees, employers must provide timely access to shade when an employee makes the request.
When temperatures reach 95 degrees or above, high-heat procedures are required for the following five industries:
1. Agriculture
2. Construction
3. Landscaping
4. Oil and gas extraction, and
5. Transportation or delivery of agricultural products, construction material or other heavy materials
The Heat Illness regulations include critical elements such as an employer’s responsibility to provide employees with water, shade and rest, develop and implement written procedures for complying with the standard, as well as, heat illness training for employees and supervisors.
Posting an appropriate notice at the worksite is an important reminder to achieve these safety mandates. Compliance Poster Company offers both indoor and outdoor heat illness posters to display in the workplace.