While spring may have only just sprung, hazardous heat is already a concern in certain areas of the U.S.
The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for April 8 for parts of California, causing Cal/OSHA to issue a reminder about its heat illness prevention standard.
Advisories in effect April 8
Heat advisories for temperatures of around 97 degrees were in effect for Santa Barbara, Ventura, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.
And the National Weather Service published information that the first 90 degree temperatures would arrive a month early in April for Redding, Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto.
“When working in these hotter conditions for the first time this year, workers should be closely observed for any signs of heat illness,” Cal/OSHA states.
What employers are required to do
Under Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention standard, employers are required to protect outdoor workers from heat illness by providing water, rest, shade and training.
The standard applies to all outdoor worksites and requires employers to provide:
- fresh water
- access to shade at 80 degrees and whenever requested by a worker
- cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks, and
- a written prevention plan with training on the signs of heat illness and what to do in case of an emergency.
More information on what California employers can do to protect workers from hazardous heat can be found here.
