As California’s climate heats up for Summer, the construction industry faces heightened risks of heat-related illnesses. Better Living Comp members take safety seriously— proactive heat illness prevention is not only a regulatory requirement but also a cornerstone of workplace safety.
Understanding the Risks
Construction workers working outside are particularly vulnerable to heat-related conditions like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. These risks are exacerbated by physical exertion, protective gear, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
Regulatory Landscape in California
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) enforces stringent regulations to protect workers from heat-related illnesses.
Outdoor Workplaces (Title 8, Section 3395)
Employers must:
- Provide Potable Water: Ensure access to fresh, cool drinking water at no cost.
- Access to Shade: Offer shaded areas when temperatures exceed 80°F, allowing workers to rest and cool down.
- Rest Breaks: Encourage regular breaks, especially during high heat periods.
- Training: Educate employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention, symptom recognition, and emergency response.
- Emergency Procedures: Develop and implement protocols for responding to heat-related emergencies.
During extreme heat (95°F and above), additional measures include:
- High-Heat Procedures: Implementing a buddy system, increased monitoring, and pre-shift meetings to discuss heat safety.
- Mandatory Cool-Down Periods: Providing a minimum 10-minute rest every two hours.
Indoor Workplaces (Title 8, Section 3396)
Effective July 23, 2024, indoor heat regulations apply to workplaces where temperatures reach 82°F. Employers must:
- Provide Water and Rest: Ensure availability of drinking water and allow rest breaks in cool areas.
- Cooling Measures: Implement methods to reduce indoor temperatures, such as ventilation, fans or air conditioning.
- Training: Educate staff on heat illness prevention and response.
- Written Plan: Develop a Heat Illness Prevention Plan accessible to all employees.
Tailored Strategies for Better Living Comp Members
Better Living Comp emphasizes collaborative efforts to enhance workplace safety and reduce workers’ compensation costs. Implementing effective heat illness prevention strategies is integral to this mission.
Develop a Comprehensive Heat Illness Prevention Plan
Employers are required to create a detailed plan that includes:
- Procedures for Water and Shade: Detailed steps to provide necessary resources.
- Emergency Response: Clear actions to take when a worker shows signs of heat illness.
- Acclimatization Methods: Strategies to help workers adjust to high temperatures, especially new or returning employees.
- Training Programs: Regular sessions to inform workers about heat risks and prevention techniques.
The plan must be in writing, available in English and any other language understood by the majority of employees, and accessible at the worksite.
Leverage Group Resources
Better Living Comp provides its members with access to resources and support for implementing heat illness prevention measures. Utilize these tools to ensure compliance and promote a culture of safety within your organization.
Benefits of Proactive Heat Illness Prevention
By prioritizing heat illness prevention, Better Living Comp members can achieve:
- Enhanced Worker Safety: Reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses ensures a healthier workforce.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to Cal/OSHA standards avoids potential fines and legal issues.
- Financial Savings: Preventing heat-related incidents can lead to lower workers’ compensation claims and premiums.
- Improved Productivity: A safe and comfortable work environment boosts employee morale and efficiency.
By proactively addressing heat risks, Better Living Comp members can create safer work environments, ensure regulatory compliance, and realize financial benefits through reduced workers’ compensation claims.
Resources
For more information and assistance, contact Better Living Comp.
About Better Living Comp
Better Living Comp is a member-owned nonprofit workers’ compensation self-insured group dedicated to construction and specialty trades. BLC offers unparalleled control to our members, who are also our owners, free from the profit-driven motives of conventional workers’ compensation providers. We empower employers to take charge of their own coverage, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the group and member-owners, not big insurance carrier shareholders
