Protecting Employees from Summer Heat, Wildfire Smoke Hazards

by Michelle Galbraith, J.D.; Employment Law Adviser, CalChamber

So far, summer has been a scorcher in the U.S. — in a single day at the end of June, at least 50 US cities saw their daily heat records broken, and two days later, nearly 130 million Americans were under extreme heat warnings or heat advisories. While California’s summer has been mostly mild, temperatures will heat up as August approaches, and the hot, dry weather can lead to more wildfires throughout the state. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) has reported more than 4,400 fires so far this year — and the main fire season has just started.

California employers have certain obligations when workers — whether indoor or outdoor — may be exposed to warm temperatures, which also can lead to wildfires, meaning employers need to monitor smoke levels at worksites and provide protective action when the smoke reaches a certain level in the air. California’s Division of Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has regulations that employers must follow for both indoor and outdoor heat illness prevention, as well as for protecting employees from exposure to high levels of wildfire smoke. Employers should review their workplace safety policies to ensure compliance with these standards, including developing plans to respond to extreme heat and smoke before the next heat wave or wildfire.