Calif. strengthens heat illness prevention standard
Cal/OSHA’s recent revisions to the state’s heat illness prevention standard are expected to take effect in time for the upcoming growing season -- and over agriculture industry objections. The board asked to California Office of Administrative Law to approve a sooner-than-usual effective date of May 1 – something that would require employers to change procedures and train employees quickly, in order to comply with the standard.
The changes include specific requirements for water, which must be fresh, “suitably cool” and as close as possible to workers, and shade, which has to be made available to workers when the thermostat hits 80, as opposed to the previous temperature standard of 85.