August 23, 2005

California OSHA's emergency heat stress regulation, the first in the nation, goes into effect today. Title 8, Code of California Regulations section 3395 was prompted by an unprecedented wave of heat-related illnesses, including no less than three deaths, earlier this summer. The regulation will be in effect for four months. During that time the Cal/OSHA Standards Board will attempt to draft a permanent regulation. The new regulation, which raises more questions than it answers, obligates employers to provide:

• Procedures for controlling heat stress;
• One quart of water per employee per hour per shift;
• Adequate shade for stressed workers;
• No less than 5 minutes of shade time for employees suffering from heat illness "...or believing a preventative recovery period is needed..."; and
• Training for both employees and supervisors on heat stress avoidance and recognition.

A copy of the new regulation has been posted on our website. Click on this link: 3-regulation.pdf.

For assistance in developing procedures and training programs to comply with section 3395, please call us.