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Heat Protection for Indoor Workers Approved by California Standards Board

Occupational Safety

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	7/15/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Heat Protection for Indoor Workers Approved by California Standards Board
Introduction	LA Testing offers instruments to measure and monitor the temperature, humidity, and other environmental parameters to safeguard workers from heat stress, and to help companies and institutions comply with health and safety regulations.
Huntington Beach, California, July 15, 2024 Last month, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved an indoor heat standard to protect indoor workers from heat illness. California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 3396 establishes required safety measures for indoor places of employment to prevent employee exposure to heat illness risks. The new standard applies to most workplaces where the indoor temperature reaches 82°F. The standard requires employers to provide access to clean drinking water, cool-down areas, and rest periods. Employers must also closely observe new and newly assigned employees during acclimatization, offer training, and provide timely emergency aid. One of the other key employer requirements is assessing and measuring heat. Cal/OSHA states that employers must measure the temperature and heat index and record whichever is greater whenever the temperature or heat index reaches 87°F (or temperature reaches 82°F for employees working in clothing that restricts heat removal or high radiant heat areas). “While there are some exemptions for local and state correctional facilities, as well as for emergency operations directly involved in the protection of life or property, this standard is expected to go into full effect sometime this month and will impact countless workers and employers across the state,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, we offer a wide range of field measuring and monitoring devices to provide real-time and data logging capabilities for temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions. These include hygrometers, psychrometers, thermo-anemometers, infrared cameras and thermometers, and other advanced instrumentation. These resources can be essential for ensuring workers do not succumb to heat stress while also helping to keep employers in compliance with the new standard.” LA Testing sponsored an educational video about heat stress and the work environment several years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/25NUviXBpTc To learn more about tools to help detect and monitor for environmental conditions that could cause heat stress, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.