California safety board approves indoor heat standards for workers, exempting state correctional facilities. The rules aim to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries, impacting around 1.4 million workers and 196,000 establishments. The regulations require employers to provide cooling measures or adjust tasks when temperatures reach certain thresholds. Workers exposed to temperatures between 82 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit will have the right to water, breaks, and cooling-off areas.
The rules come in response to global warming and the absence of federal heat standards for workers in the U.S. In light of record-breaking heatwaves in the Midwest and Northeast, employers are taking action to protect their employees from extreme heat. Between 2012 and 2022, 418 people died from work-related heat exposure across various industries. The regulations will apply to workplaces like warehouses, schools, and kitchens, with a focus on reducing the risk of heat illness for workers in indoor settings.
Labor organizations and state agencies have praised the indoor heat standards, calling them urgent and necessary as summer temperatures rise and workplaces become hotter due to climate change. Workers who have experienced heat illness due to extreme indoor temperatures have shared their stories, emphasizing the importance of the regulations for their health and safety. Concerns have been raised about the cost for businesses to comply with the rules, estimated at around $1 billion over the next 10 years.
Opposition to the regulations has come from some groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, which expressed concerns about small employers’ ability to comply with the requirements. Additionally, the exclusion of correctional facilities from the regulations has been criticized, with advocates highlighting the risks that workers in these facilities face from high temperatures. The amended rules now await final approval from the Office of Administrative Law before taking effect, with efforts to expedite the process following the recent vote by the Cal/OSHA board.
Overall, the indoor heat standards in California are a significant step towards protecting workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries in indoor settings. As temperatures continue to rise due to global warming, these regulations will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of millions of workers across the state. Labor organizations, state agencies, and advocacy groups are united in their support for these rules, emphasizing the need to address the growing threat of heat stress in the workplace.
