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New Indoor Heat Requirements

On June 20, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 3396, “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment”. This standard applies to most workplaces where the indoor temperature reaches 82°F. It establishes required safety measures for indoor workplaces to prevent worker exposure to risk of heat illness. This standard went into effect on July 23, 2024.

For outdoor heat illness prevention, refer to Title 8, section 3395.

Learn how to control the risk of heat-induced illness, train workers to protect themselves, recognize symptoms, and respond should a heat illness emergency occur.

Heat Illness

Any individual, regardless of age, sex or health status can develop heat stress if they are engaged in intense physical activity and/or exposed to environmental heat (and humidity). If heat exposure exceeds the physiologic capacity of the body to cool itself, and core body temperature rises, then a range of heat-related symptoms and conditions can develop – from relatively minor treatable heat cramps to severe life threatening heat stroke, which is always an extreme medical emergency. Even when acclimatized, adequate hydration is critical to avoid of development of heat-related illness. 

In order to prevent heat illness in employees, supervisors must monitor weather conditions, including projected temperatures and humidity.

Heat Related Illness

  • Heat Cramps
  • Heat Rash
  • Sunburn
  • Heat Exhaustion
  • Heat stroke

Heat Illness Standards

In California, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness in both indoor and outdoor workplaces under California Code of Regulations, Title 8 (T8CCR), sections 3395 and 3396.  These standards require employers to implement measures to prevent heat-related illnesses in all outdoor and indoor places of employment.

Supervisors and employees covered under this standard are responsible for understanding and complying with the campus program policies and procedures as outlined in the UC Santa Cruz Heat Illness Prevention Plan. 

Requirement

Outdoor Heat (T8CCR 3395)

Indoor Heat (T8CCR 3396)

Scope and Application

Applies to outdoor workplaces

Applies to indoor workplaces when the indoor temperature is greater than 82°F

Provide Clean Drinking Water

Provide access to potable water that is fresh, suitably cool, and free of charge

Located as close as possible to work areas

Provide access to potable water that is fresh, suitably cool, and free of charge

Located as close as possible to work areas and cool-down areas

Access to Shade and Cool-Down Areas

For outdoor workplaces, shade must be present when temperatures are greater than 80°F. When temperatures are less than 80°F, shade must be available upon request

For indoor workplaces, provide access to at least one cool-down area which must be kept at a temperature below 82°F

Shade and cool-down areas must be:

Blocked from direct sunlight

Large enough to accommodate the number of workers on rest breaks so they can sit comfortably without touching each other

Close as possible to the work areas

For indoor workplaces, the cool-down areas must be kept at less than 82°F and shielded from other high-radiant heat sources

Cool-Down Rest Periods

Encourage workers to take preventative cool-down rest periods

Allow workers who ask for a cool-down rest period to take one

Monitor workers taking such rest periods for symptoms of heat-related illness

High-Heat Procedures

Have and implement procedures to deal with heat when the temperature equals or exceeds 95°F

Procedures must include:

Observing and communicating effectively with workers

Reminding workers to drink water and take cool-down rest breaks

Not applicable to Indoor Workplaces

Assessment and Control Measures

Not applicable to Outdoor Workplaces

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 workers working in clothing that restricts heat removal or high-radiant-heat areas)

Implement control measures to keep workers safe. Feasible engineering controls must be implemented first.

Monitoring the Weather

Monitor outdoor temperature and ensure that once the temperature exceeds 80°F, shade structures will be opened and made available to the workers

When it is at least 95°F, implement high-heat procedures

Train supervisors on how to check weather reports and how to respond to weather advisories

For indoor workplaces that are affected by outdoor temperatures, train supervisors on how to check weather reports and how to respond to hot weather advisories

 

Emergency Response Procedures

Provide first aid or emergency response to any workers showing heat illness signs or symptoms, including contacting emergency medical services

Acclimatization

Closely observe new workers and newly assigned workers working in hot areas during a 14-day acclimatization period, as well as all workers working during a heat wave

Training

Employers must provide training to both workers and supervisors

Heat Illness Prevention Plan

Establish, implement, and maintain an effective written Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan that includes procedures for providing drinking water, shade, preventative rest periods, close observation during acclimatization, high-heat procedures, training, prompt emergency response

Establish, implement, and maintain an effective written Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan that includes procedures for providing drinking water, cool-down areas, preventative rest periods, close observation during acclimatization, assessment and measurement of heat, training, prompt emergency response, and feasible control measures

Safety Training

  • Complete the Heat Illness eCourse on the UC Learning Center.
  • To schedule in-person group training, contact EH&S at ehs@ucsc.edu.

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