On July 23, 2024, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) introduced new indoor heat protections for many indoor workplaces to prevent worker exposure to heat-related illnesses.
Under the “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment” standard found in Title 8 Section 3396, employers in California must now apply specific safety measures when indoor temperatures reach or exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. These requirements may include providing water, rest, cool-down areas, monitoring and additional training for affected employees. With this additional safety standard, Cal/OSHA has combined both the Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Model Plan for Employers into one template to facilitate customization for program development and implementation.
This state-wide regulation applies to most indoor workplaces, such as offices, restaurants, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. “Indoor” refers to a space that is under a ceiling or overhead covering that restricts airflow and is enclosed along its entire perimeter by walls, doors, windows, dividers or other physical barriers that restrict airflow, whether open or closed. All work areas that are not indoor are considered outdoor and covered by Heat Illness Prevention in Outdoor Places of Employment, Title 8 Section 3395. Some work settings are exempt from this standard, including correctional facilities, emergency operations and remote work settings where an employee is telecommuting from a place they select (e.g., home), which is outside of an employer’s control.
For additional information and resources, including FAQs and educational webinars, visit the State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations’ Heat Illness Prevention Guidance webpage.
Western Growers Insurance Services is a full-service insurance brokerage offering a suite of insurance products and tailored risk management solutions to agribusiness and related industry members. For more information or assistance, please contact Ken Cooper, Director of Operations and Risk Strategy for Western Growers Insurance Services, at [email protected].
