California employers with employees working outdoors need to take heat illness prevention seriously—especially during summer.
Under Cal/OSHA’s outdoor heat illness prevention standard, employers must provide fresh, suitably cool drinking water at no cost. If water is not continuously supplied, employers generally must provide enough for each employee to drink at least one quart per hour.
When temperatures exceed 80°F, employers must have shaded areas close to the work area, with enough room for employees taking rest or recovery periods. Employees must also be allowed and encouraged to take preventative cool-down rests whenever needed.
At 95°F or higher, agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas extraction, and certain transportation employers must follow additional “high heat” procedures, including employee observation, effective communication, water reminders, and pre-shift meetings.
Employers should also maintain a written Heat Illness Prevention Plan and train supervisors and employees to recognize and respond promptly to heat illness and emergencies.