Heat Illness Prevention Requirements: Are You in Compliance This Summer?

As temperatures rise across California, employers need to be proactive in protecting workers from heat-related illnesses. Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention standards apply to both outdoor and indoor workplaces. If your business includes any outdoor work or indoor environments that can become excessively warm, such as warehouses, kitchens, manufacturing floors, or other poorly ventilated spaces, you are likely covered by these standards.

Outdoor Work

The Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention standard applies to all outdoor work when temperatures exceed 80°F. Employers must:

• Provide access to clean, cool drinking water

• Ensure shade is available at 80°F or higher

• Allow cool-down rest periods as needed

• Implement a written heat illness prevention plan

• Train both supervisors and employees on prevention and emergency response

For certain industries like agriculture, construction, and landscaping, high-heat procedures kick in at 95°F, requiring additional monitoring and communication protocols.

Indoor Work

California’s indoor heat illness prevention standard applies to most indoor workplaces where:

• The temperature reaches 82°F or higher when employees wear clothing that restricts heat removal or

• The temperature reaches 87°F or higher

  
  

Employers with affected indoor worksites must:

• Monitor temperatures and assess heat risk regularly

• Provide cool drinking water and cool-down areas

• Use engineering or administrative controls (e.g., fans, ventilation, rotating shifts)

• Develop and implement a written indoor heat illness prevention plan

• Train employees and supervisors on symptoms, prevention, and response

This applies to many industries, including warehousing, food service, delivery operations, and production facilities.

What Employers Should Do Now

• Review your current heat illness prevention plans and ensure they cover both indoor and outdoor conditions

• Update training for all affected employees and supervisors to reflect the latest requirements

• Conduct a heat hazard assessment of your worksites, particularly indoor spaces that may not have cooling systems

• Ensure you have documented procedures for responding to signs of heat illness and providing first aid or emergency care

Final Thoughts

California’s heat illness prevention standards are more detailed than ever. With indoor and outdoor rules in place, employers should act to ensure their policies, training, and workspaces are compliant. Not sure where to start? Our team can review your existing program and help you align with the Cal/OSHA indoor and outdoor heat safety rules before issues arise.