What to Do When it Gets Hot, Hot, Hot
Ok, so we’re gonna talk about illness here, but how GREAT is it to talk about a NEW illness and not that SAME one we’ve all been talking about for well over a year? This particular illness comes from our lovely Vitamin D-dropping ball of flame in the sky known as the sun. Now we all love the sunshine, but did you know Cal/OSHA REQUIRES employers to create a Heat Illness Prevention Plan for your employees working in the great outdoors? Yep.
Specifically, California’s heat illness prevention regulation requires employers with outdoor workers to:
- Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.
- Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
- Provide free, fresh, pure, suitably cool water so that each worker can drink at least one quart of water per hour. Encourage workers to do so.
And there’s lots more to know including how to spot heat illness, how much shade you should be providing for employees—and how to train your employees all about heat illness too.
Our own HR expert, Lorein Brightwell says, “Exposure to extreme heat and high humidity can subject employees to physical conditions that can range from uncomfortable to life threatening. Since 2019, Cal/OSHA has mandated that Employers adopt specific measures to effectively mitigate serious injury to employees caused by heat. These guidelines are specific and practical in how to comply, as well what does not count as a compliance measure. For example, workers maintaining the grounds of a golf course during Santa Ana conditions with a heat index of 104, are not receiving proper rest and relief by simply sitting inside a truck. Exposure to excess heat can occur indoors, as well. Education is critical here.”
Smart employers don’t even sweat this stuff because they KNOW PLB Resources is all over it. We can assist you with creating your company’s Heat Illness Prevention Plan for Outdoor Employees required by Cal/OSHA and get you fully in compliance while building your AMAZING workplace!
More info for smart employers: