If you’re like us, you’ve been nervously watching the weather forecast showing local temperatures climbing over 110 degrees through the next week. Be sure your outdoor employees have the proper education and heat illness protections, and your business is ready for a potential Cal/OSHA inspection!
Today, September 2, 2022, Cal/OSHA issued an announcement regarding targeted inspections for several outdoor industries over the next week. Employers in the construction, agriculture, tree-trimming, landscaping, car wash and warehouse industries should take extra precautions for all employees working outdoors and should ensure that company heat illness plans and recordkeeping are up to date.
In a news release last week, the California Department of Industrial Relations reminded employers, “Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention standard applies to all outdoor worksites. To prevent heat illness, the law requires employers to provide outdoor workers fresh water, access to shade at 80 degrees and whenever requested by a worker, and cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks.” Employers must “maintain a written prevention plan with training on the signs of heat illness and what to do in case of an emergency.”
If you would like assistance with your high heat procedures or your Heat Illness Prevention Plan, please contact one of the certified Consultants at Sierra HR Partners or Cal/OSHA’s consultation services.
