asset: state-heat-illness-prevention-standards

asset_type: temperature-trigger

body: At what outdoor temperature must employers provide shade, water, rest breaks, and written prevention plans? Six U.S. states enforce specific heat illness prevention standards with temperature triggers that exceed the stalled federal OSHA proposal. This dataset compares each state's trigger temperatures, required actions at each tier, coverage scope (indoor/outdoor, which industries), acclimatization requirements, and regulatory citations.

licence: unknown

title: State Heat Illness Prevention Standards — Temperature Triggers and Required Employer Actions

type: dataset


body:
**jurisdiction:** California

**regulation_citation:** Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, § 3395

**effective_date:** May 1, 2015

**initial_trigger_temperature_f:** 80

**initial_trigger_actions:** Shade shall be present when the temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit; access to potable drinking water (one quart per employee per hour); employees allowed and encouraged to take a preventative cool-down rest in the shade (not less than 5 minutes)

**high_heat_trigger_temperature_f:** 95

**high_heat_actions:** Effective communication maintained; observation of employees for alertness and signs or symptoms of heat illness (supervisor observation of 20 or fewer, mandatory buddy system, or regular communication); designated employee authorized to call for emergency medical services; reminders to drink water throughout shift; pre-shift meetings to review high heat procedures; for agriculture: minimum ten minute net preventative cool-down rest period every two hours

**coverage_scope:** Outdoor only; all outdoor places of employment for basic provisions; agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas extraction, and transportation or delivery of heavy materials for high-heat procedures

**acclimatization_period_days:** 14

**written_plan_required:** Yes

> Shade shall be present when the temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the outdoor temperature in the work area exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the employer shall have and maintain one or more areas with shade at all times while employees are present

Source: <https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3395.html>

jurisdiction: California

regulation_citation: Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, § 3395

title: Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, § 3395 — State Heat Illness Prevention Standards — Temperature Triggers and Required Employer Actions

type: temperature-trigger

unverified_fields: acclimatization_period_days, effective_date, high_heat_actions, high_heat_trigger_temperature_f, regulation_citation

written_plan_required: Yes


acclimatization_period_days: None specified

body:
**jurisdiction:** Federal OSHA

**regulation_citation:** General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

**effective_date:** 1970

**initial_trigger_temperature_f:** None specified

**initial_trigger_actions:** Employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees, including heat-related hazards

**high_heat_trigger_temperature_f:** None specified

**high_heat_actions:** No specific high-heat procedures mandated at federal level; enforcement relies on the General Duty Clause

**coverage_scope:** All workplaces covered by OSHA; no heat-specific standard finalized

**acclimatization_period_days:** None specified

**written_plan_required:** No heat-specific plan required

> This includes heat-related hazards that are likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.

Source: <https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/standards>

high_heat_trigger_temperature_f: None specified

initial_trigger_temperature_f: None specified

jurisdiction: Federal OSHA

title: General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 — State Heat Illness Prevention Standards — Temperature Triggers and Required Employer Actions

unverified_fields: acclimatization_period_days, effective_date, high_heat_trigger_temperature_f, initial_trigger_temperature_f, regulation_citation, written_plan_required

written_plan_required: No heat-specific plan required


body:
**jurisdiction:** Washington

**regulation_citation:** WAC 296-62-095 through 296-62-09560

**effective_date:** July 17, 2023

**initial_trigger_temperature_f:** 80

**initial_trigger_actions:** Address outdoor heat exposure safety program in written accident prevention program; provide sufficiently cool drinking water; provide shade or other sufficient means to reduce body temperature; encourage and allow preventative cool-down rest periods

**high_heat_trigger_temperature_f:** 90

**high_heat_actions:** Mandatory cool-down rest periods: at or above 90°F, 10 minutes every 2 hours; at or above 100°F, 15 minutes every 1 hour; closely observe employees for signs and symptoms via regular communication, mandatory buddy system, or other effective means

**coverage_scope:** Outdoor work; all industries

**acclimatization_period_days:** 14

**written_plan_required:** Yes

> All other clothing | 80°F

Source: <https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-62-09530>

coverage_scope: Outdoor work; all industries

jurisdiction: Washington

source_quote: All other clothing | 80°F

title: WAC 296-62-095 through 296-62-09560 — State Heat Illness Prevention Standards — Temperature Triggers and Required Employer Actions

unverified_fields: acclimatization_period_days, coverage_scope, effective_date, high_heat_actions, high_heat_trigger_temperature_f, initial_trigger_actions, regulation_citation, written_plan_required


body:
**jurisdiction:** Washington

**regulation_citation:** WAC 296-62-09530 (nonbreathable PPE)

**effective_date:** July 17, 2023

**initial_trigger_temperature_f:** 52

**initial_trigger_actions:** Same outdoor heat exposure safety program requirements: drinking water, shade or other means to reduce body temperature, preventative cool-down rest periods, acclimatization, emergency response procedures

**high_heat_trigger_temperature_f:** 90

**high_heat_actions:** Mandatory cool-down rest periods: at or above 90°F, 10 minutes every 2 hours; at or above 100°F, 15 minutes every 1 hour; close observation via buddy system, regular communication, or other effective means

**coverage_scope:** Outdoor work; employees required to wear nonbreathable clothes including vapor barrier clothing or PPE such as chemical resistant suits

**acclimatization_period_days:** 14

**written_plan_required:** Yes

> Nonbreathable clothes including vapor barrier clothing or PPE such as chemical resistant suits | 52°F

Source: <https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-62-09530>

regulation_citation: WAC 296-62-09530 (nonbreathable PPE)

title: WAC 296-62-09530 (nonbreathable PPE) — State Heat Illness Prevention Standards — Temperature Triggers and Required Employer Actions

unverified_fields: acclimatization_period_days, effective_date, high_heat_actions, high_heat_trigger_temperature_f, initial_trigger_actions, regulation_citation, written_plan_required