Employers Must Protect Workers from Outdoor and Indoor Heat Illness

As covered in our blogs New Heat Illness Prevention Measures Now In Place and Heat Illness Prevention Amendments Are Likely to Take Effect May 1, 2015,  heat illness prevention regulations obviously apply to industries that  require significant outdoor labor, including agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas extraction, and transportation and delivery of agricultural and construction products or other heavy materials.

However, all California employers are responsible for ensuring their indoor workers are also protected from high heat hazards.   The California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board (Appeals Board) recently ruled against two employers with  Injury and Illness Prevention Programs that failed to effectively address such unhealthy inside conditions.  The case stemmed from a warehouse operator who suffered heat illness while working inside a metal freight container with a temperature exceeding 100 degrees F.

The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section  includes helpful discussion of various heat illness prevention issues. The DIR also offers a separate information page on the requirements.

Our attorneys, Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth, or Helena Kobrin can also address questions and concerns.

Cindy Bamforth, April 22, 2016