Sources: Cal/OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards; 8 CCR §3395 and §3396; OSHA Heat overview and Heat rulemaking pages. The first-day and first-week figures are OSHA's (citing Tustin 2018).
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Water at the work
- 1 quart per worker per hour, for the whole shift
- Free and suitably cool
- Close as close as practicable to the work
Start here (engineer): Water stations that move with the crew.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395(c) [CA] · OSHA guidance
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Shade and rest
- 80°F shade must be up
- All workers on break must fit in the shade
- Cool-down rest allowed and encouraged
Start here (engineer): Pop-up canopies, shade structures, cooling fans.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395(d) [CA] · OSHA guidance
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Acclimatize new and returning workers
- 70%+ of heat-related deaths in a worker's first week (OSHA)
- 14 days close observation of new employees (CA)
- Heat wave everyone is observed closely
Start here (plan): Shorter shifts and lighter work in the first days.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395(g) [CA] · OSHA guidance
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High-heat procedures
- 95°F high-heat procedures start
- Pre-shift meetings on heat
- Observation by voice, sight, or electronic means
Start here (monitor): Buddy system and supervisor rounds.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395(e) [CA]
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Emergency response
- 911 heat stroke is a medical emergency
- Address every crew needs the exact site location
- Cool while waiting for help
Start here (plan): Post the site address and directions.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395(f) [CA] · OSHA guidance
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Training
- Before exposure to heat
- Supervisors need extra training
- Language the crew understands
Start here (train): Short field training before the hot season.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395(h) [CA] · OSHA guidance
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A written plan that is used
- Written heat illness prevention plan
- Language English and the crew's language
- On site available to workers
Start here (plan): Short, site-specific plan.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395(i) [CA]
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Indoor heat
- 82°F indoor trigger in California
- 87°F stronger controls (82°F with radiant heat or heat-restrictive clothing)
- July 23, 2024 California indoor rule took effect
Start here (engineer): Ventilation, fans, cooling, shielding from radiant heat.
Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3396 [CA] · OSHA guidance
The full PDF adds, for each item, why it really happens, the rules or guidance in plain words, controls in order, a 30-minute self-audit, who owns it and a toolbox talk starter.