Cal/OSHA indoor heat protection rule takes effect

Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention rule was approved by the Office of Administrative Law on July 24 and takes effect immediately. The final rule applies to most indoor workplaces in California, such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities. When the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness. Protective measures include:

• Access to potable water,
• Rest periods,
• Cool-down areas, and
• Training.

Under the rule, when the temperature reaches 87 degrees, additional requirements are as follows:

• Cooling down the work area,
• Implementing work-rest schedules, and
• Providing personal heat-protective equipment.

If employers have both indoor and outdoor workplaces, indoor and outdoor regulations may apply. Local and state correctional facilities as well as emergency operations are exempted from the indoor heat regulations.