On August 4, 2023, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) announced plans to amend Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. The amendment will introduce section 3396, which concerns the prevention of heat illness in indoor places of employment. This move by OSHSB is one of a number of similar initiatives taken by other institutions to improve conditions for indoor workers.
The proposed changes place new obligations on employers of indoor workers, representing an important shift in how such businesses will monitor, manage, and protect employees from health risks related to excessive heat.
The key provisions proposed in section 3396 include the requirement for suitable heat illness prevention plans, suitable rest areas, adequate quantities of water, and training for employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
The approval and implementation of these changes by the OSHSB would mark a considerable advancement and refocus on maintaining the health and well-being of employees in indoor work environments.
Several states and industry bodies have already enacted similar amendments, suggesting that this move by California OSHSB may be indicative of widespread changes to occupational health and safety regulations across the nation in the foreseeable future.
As legal professionals, it’s essential to understand how these changes may impact your clients. It may be necessary to advise clients on how to implement suitable heat illness prevention measures in their workplaces and conduct suitable training on heat illness prevention for employees and supervisors.
This development reaffirms the importance of constantly upholding and adapting workplace safety standards and procedures to ensure optimal employee health and safety at all times.
For more detailed information, you can read the full report
here.
By: Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart