California Law requires employers to take measures to protect outdoor workers. With summer heat in full swing, it is important for all employers to take precautions. When temperatures are greater than 95 degrees, employers must follow these guidelines:
· Provide enough safe, clean and cool drinking water
· Ensure employees have easy access to shade, and encourage them to take rests
· Ensure medical services will be summoned when and if necessary
· Managers/supervisors are trained on how to identify heat exhaustion, and what to do to prevent it.
Employees should be taking at least a 10 minute break every 2 hours. Employers also need to create a Heat Illness Prevention Plan that contains:
1. Procedures for the provision of water and access to shade
2. The high heat procedures stated above
3. Emergency Response Procedures
4. Acclimatization methods and procedures in accordance with California law.
If you have any questions or need assistance regarding California heat illness prevention requirements or any other employment and labor law matters, please contact Sagaser, Watkins & Wieland PC at 559-421-7000 or 661-616-1360 for more information.