On Wednesday, July 24, 2024 the California Department of Industrial Relations (which sees over Cal/OSHA) issued a news release stating that the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Regulation and it goes into effect immediately. California's new indoor heat protections apply to most indoor workplaces. Employers must adopt safety measures to prevent heat illness when indoor temperatures reach 82°F.

Regulation Details:

• Applicable Workplaces: The Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment regulation covers most indoor workplaces, including restaurants, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities.

• 82°F Threshold: When indoor temperatures reach 82°F, employers must provide water, rest, cool-down areas, and training to protect workers from heat illness.

• 87°F and Above: Additional requirements apply when temperatures reach 87°F, such as cooling down the work area, implementing work-rest schedules, and providing personal heat-protective equipment.

• Special Conditions: For workers wearing clothing that restricts heat removal or working in high radiant heat areas, the additional requirements apply at 82°F.

These measures are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of workers in indoor environments.

The final amended indoor heat rule can be found here. Additional resources, such as Cal/OSHA indoor heat educational materials and FAQ's can be found here.

Learn more about KERAMIDA’s Heat Stress Regulatory Compliance Services.