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What to be aware of in 2024 regarding safety...

Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment

The Cal/OSHA Standards Board continues to consider the proposed regulation, and will schedule possibly before the end of 2024..

The regulation becomes effective when the interior temperature equals or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present, or the heat index equals or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present. 

Basic requirements include:

  • Provision of “fresh, pure and suitably cool” potable drinking water for employees without charge
  • Access to Cool-Down areas
  • Assessment and Control Measures
  • Emergency Response Procedures
  • Acclimatization
  • Training
  • Written Heat Illness Prevention Plan (may be included in the IIPP, or with the Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan).

One of the concerns expressed by construction industry representatives was whether the proposed regulation would apply to intermodal containers used to store equipment, tools and materials.  The proposed language states “This section does not apply to incidental heat exposures where an employee is exposed to temperatures at or above 82 degrees Fahrenheit and below 95 degrees Fahrenheit for less than 15 minutes in any 60-minute period.  This exception does not apply to the following:

  1. Vehicles without effective and functioning air conditioning, or
  2. Shipping or intermodal containers during loading, unloading or related work”

The proposed regulation may be reviewed by clicking here.


Proposed revisions to the Cal/OSHA Lead regulation

The Cal/OSHA Standards Board continues the process of promulgating revisions to the existing Lead regulation.  Two additional hearings are scheduled – January 18, 2024, and a February 15, 2024 hearing where the Board is expected to take a final vote on the proposal.

There are approximately 30 associations and organizations that comprise a Coalition against the proposal (unless significantly revised).  Your organization is listed as a member of this Coalition.

The Coalition was able to secure a concession from the Board in that the requirement for shower facilities has been virtually eliminated.  This requirement alone would have been a significant financial and logistical burden on the contractor community.

Contractors and other interested parties can access the hearings via webex and if interested can speak for a few minutes.

Click here for the January 18  Board Meeting Agenda. Click here for more information on the Board meeting on February 15.


CDPH changes regarding COVID-19

On January 9, 2024, the California Department of Public Health updated its:

These updates impact Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations and the requirements related to isolating COVID-19 cases and testing of close contacts.

To assist employers, Cal/OSHA has updated its

  1. COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations – What Employers Need to Know 
  2. COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations FAQs

Important Changes to Definitions

  1. “Infectious Period” for the purpose of the Cal/OSHA Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations, is now defined as
    • For COVID-19 cases with symptoms, it is a minimum of 24 hours from the day of symptom onset:
      • COVID-19 cases may return if 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
      • Their symptoms are mild and improving
  2. For COVID-19 cases with no symptoms, there is no infectious period for the purpose of isolation or exclusion.  If symptoms develop, the criteria above will apply.

Notes on Changes to Testing Recommendations

  • CDPH no longer recommends testing for all close contacts and instead recommends testing only for:
    • All people with new COVID-19 symptoms
    • Close contacts who are at higher risk of severe disease or who have contact with people who are at higher risk of severe disease.
  • Regardless of CDPH recommendations, employers must continue to make COVID-19 testing available at no cost and during paid time to all employees with a close contact except for asymptomatic employees who recently recovered from COVID-19
  • In workplace outbreaks or major outbreaks, the COVID-19 Prevention regulations still require testing of all close contacts in outbreaks, and everyone in the exposed group in major outbreaks.

All other requirements in the COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency regulations remain in effect.