Safety Newsletter
California Is Poised to Protect Workers From Extreme Heat — Indoors
California Proposes Indoor Heat Standards:
- California is set to introduce heat standards for indoor workers, including those in poorly ventilated warehouses and restaurant kitchens.
Existing Outdoor Heat Standards:
- Since 2005, California has had heat standards for outdoor workers, and the proposed rules for indoor workplaces complement these regulations.
Proposed Temperature Thresholds:
- The new rules, expected to be adopted in spring, require businesses to cool indoor spaces below 87 degrees Fahrenheit for regular conditions and below 82 degrees in places with protective clothing or radiant heat exposure.
Challenges and Urgency:
- Businesses and workers express dissatisfaction, with concerns about meeting requirements and disagreement on the proposed temperatures. The urgency stems from the federal inaction on national heat standards, with only Minnesota and Oregon having specific rules for indoor workers.