On July 23, 2024, Cal/OSHA introduced new indoor heat protections for many indoor workplaces to prevent worker exposure to heat-related illnesses.

Under the “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment” standard, employers in California must now apply specific safety measures when indoor temperatures reach or exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. These requirements may include providing water, rest, cool-down areas, monitoring and additional training for affected employees.

This state-wide regulation applies to most indoor workplaces, such as offices, restaurants, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Some work settings are exempt from this standard, including correctional facilities, emergency operations and remote work settings where an employee is telecommuting from a place they select (e.g., home), which is outside of an employer’s control. Cal/OSHA estimates the standard will affect 196,000 workplaces and 1.4 million workers.

California is one of several states that have implemented an indoor heat standard for workers. Other states with indoor heat standards for workers include Colorado (for agricultural work sites only), Minnesota and Oregon.

For additional information and resources, including FAQs and educational webinars, visit the State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations’ Heat Illness Prevention Guidance webpage.

In related news, OSHA recently proposed the “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings” standard. The proposed rule encompasses all employers engaged in outdoor and indoor work across general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture sectors under OSHA’s jurisdiction. The agency expects to publish the official proposed rule in the Federal Register soon.