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CSLB Industry Bulletin - 08/03/2005

New Hot Weather Laws in the Forecast

Emergency Regulations Will Effect Construction Sites


SACRAMENTO — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed emergency regulations that will affect many of California's more than 290,000 licensed contractors. Yesterday, the Governor outlined the proposal, which covers all Californians who work outdoors. That includes highway workers, farm workers, landscapers and construction workers. He's urging the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board to adopt these regulations at a special meeting August 12. He's also asking that all employers implement the regulations immediately.

The Governor's proposal requires:

  • Employers and employees to know how to recognize and prevent heat stress;
  • Provide access to shady spots for workers suffering from heat illness; and
  • Employers to provide one quart of drinking water per hour per worker during their entire shift

"The health and well being of anyone who works outside should be of prime concern during these hot summer months," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "We urge all of our licensees to immediately adopt the Governor's proposal and to do everything they can to make sure their workers are safe."

Cal/OSHA reported five deaths and eight injuries related to heat in California during July. The report also found that from 2000-2004, an average of 300 cases of heat-related illness were recorded annually by employers or were the subject of workers' compensation claims. To learn more about the new standards and what you can do to make sure your workers are protected when working in the heat, please visit http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/HeatIllnessInfo.html.