(July 1, 2009) Shade requirements to prevent heat illness in outdoor workers are expected to be the focus of a new Cal/OSHA regulatory process in a few weeks.

The revised approach follows a June 18 hearing at which the Cal/OSHA Standards Board heard comments, but declined to adopt or even vote, on proposed emergency amendments to the state’s heat illness standard.

Both employers and labor representatives criticized the emergency rules, proposed as amendments to California’s first-in-the-nation heat illness prevention standard, which was adopted in July 2006.

Current Heat Illness Standard

The existing standard applies to all companies with employees working in outdoor places of employment. Employers are required to provide training for employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention, symptoms and treatment.

In addition to the training requirements, employers must provide potable drinking water, access to shade and compile heat illness prevention procedures, including employee training, in writing.

At the June 18 hearing, the Cal/OSHA staff noted that the portion of the current heat illness standard dealing with shade is the one for which citations are most often issued.

Effective Enforcement Needed

The CalChamber pointed out in comments to the board that more effective enforcement of existing California requirements to prevent heat illness in outdoor workers can do more to protect workers than adopting more prescriptive, burdensome rules.

Both labor and management representatives agree that enhanced enforcement efforts could effectively address a lack of compliance.

Business groups, as well as the public safety managers association, agreed with the CalChamber’s remarks.

The CalChamber also recommended that Cal/OSHA reactivate the Heat Illness Prevention (HIP) Network launched two summers ago by the CalChamber and other business groups in cooperation with Cal/OSHA to warn employers about impending heat emergencies.

Staff Contact: Marti Fisher