California: Cal/OSHA proposes broader high-heat requirements
Today California's outdoor high-heat procedures apply only to agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas, and some transportation.
Status: Comments due Sep 21
Jurisdiction: California · Topic: Workplace safety
Source: Cal/OSHA, August 14, 2026
What changed
Today California’s outdoor high-heat procedures apply only to agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas, and some transportation. Cal/OSHA’s August 14 draft would apply them to every outdoor employer at 95°F and add acclimatization steps for new workers and anyone back after two weeks away.
What to do
If you have outdoor crews and have never had to run high-heat procedures, read the draft. The high-heat procedures would apply to you for the first time.
Primary source: Cal/OSHA, August 14, 2026. Part of Compliance Watch, Issue 01 (September 11, 2026). Last reviewed September 11, 2026.
Questions employers ask
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Every “What to do” line above is a task for someone at your company. Our clients hand the payroll and tax pieces to us and get an HR advisor for the rest.
Get help with California rules All 12 updates in Issue 01
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