California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health has approved new standards aimed at protecting workers from indoor heat exposure. The rules, which were initially passed in March, will impact approximately 1.4 million workers and 196,000 establishments once finalized.
The regulations are designed to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and fatalities among workers in various industries, including greenhouse and warehouse workers, kitchen staff, teachers, custodians, and bartenders. California joins states like Oregon and Minnesota in establishing indoor heat protections for workers.
With rising global temperatures due to climate change, the need for such regulations has become increasingly urgent. The absence of federal heat standards for workers in the U.S. has prompted states to take action to safeguard employees from extreme heat conditions.
Under the new rules, employers will be required to provide cooling measures, adjust tasks or schedules, and monitor workers for signs of heat illness when temperatures reach certain thresholds. Workers exposed to temperatures above 82 degrees Fahrenheit will have rights to water, breaks, and cooling-off areas.
While the regulations aim to protect workers in various indoor settings, concerns have been raised about the exclusion of correctional facilities from the rules. Critics argue that employees in these facilities, including officers, health care professionals, and maintenance workers, are at risk of heat-related health issues due to poor ventilation and inadequate temperature control.
Despite the estimated $1 billion cost to businesses over the next decade to comply with the rules, supporters emphasize the importance of ensuring worker safety in the face of increasing heat-related risks. Labor organizations and public health agencies have praised the regulations as a necessary step to address the growing threat of high heat in workplaces.
As the rules await final approval, stakeholders are hopeful that the Office of Administrative Law will expedite the process to implement these crucial protections for indoor workers in California.
