Protecting Workers from Heat Illness

Summer is upon us. As the temperatures rise, it is important to remember that employees must be protected from heat illness. Employers must protect their outdoor workers from heat illness and to encourage their workers to take preventative cool-down breaks in the shade and encouraging workers to drink water frequently. This involves employers closely monitoring their workers for signs of heat illness.

California's heat illness prevention regulation requires employers with outdoor workers to take the following four steps to prevent heat illness:

(1) Plan: develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.

(2) Training: train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.

(3) Water: provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.

(4) Shade: provide shade when workers request it and when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.

Please contact us to learn more. As experienced labor lawyers, we can help.

- Eric A. Boyajian, Esq., Law Offices of Eric A. Boyajian, APC. www.loeab.com

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