Protect Employees From Heat Illness

As temperatures rise in California’s San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys this weekend, bringing warmer weather and summer-like conditions, it serves as a reminder to review heat illness prevention standards. And while the Golden State has the strictest laws, employers across the country would be advised to provide water, rest, shade, and training to protect employees during hot spells.

To stay in compliance with California law, growers should keep the following points in mind:

• Once temperatures reach 85˚F, shaded areas must be up and ready. Prior to reaching this temperature, a shaded area must be on-hand in order to fulfill potential requests from employees to rest in the shade.

• Once the temperature reaches or exceeds 95˚Fahrenheit, high-heat procedures should be implemented, which include: ensuring that effective communication is maintained; observing employees for alertness and signs or symptoms of heat illness; reminding employees to drink water throughout the workday; and closely supervising new employees.

• Shade must be provided for at least 25% of the employees on shift so they can sit comfortably without touching each other.

• Employees should drink at least 4 cups of water every hour. In addition, clean, cool drinking water must always be readily accessible and as easy as possible for employees to reach while working.

• Supervisors and employees should receive full and complete heat illness prevention training prior to beginning work.

• Written procedures should be on hand that identify the essentials of the business’ heat illness prevention program.