Cal/OSHA announced that it is investigating two suspected heat related deaths in the construction and agriculture industries that occurred over the past month. This news is a stark reminder that employers must be vigilant in complying with California’s heat illness prevention standard.

The most recent suspected fatality occurred on June 1 and involved a 56-year-old farm worker who collapsed while pruning fruit trees. According to Cal/OSHA, the man was working in high-heat conditions at the time of the collapse. The other case involved an 18-year-old masonry worker who fell unconscious as the crew was cleaning up for the day and died the next day.

HRWatchdog previously reported that CAL/OSHA kicked off its 2012 heat illness prevention campaign. Employers with outdoor workers must remember that high-heat provisions apply whenever temperatures reach 95 degrees and include extra precautions, such as ensuring effective communication, observing all employees for signs of heat illness, closely supervising new employees and frequently reminding employees to drink water.

In announcing its investigation, Cal/OSHA said its staff will enforce compliance with the state’s high-heat standard through scheduled inspections and local “heat wave” inspections when temperatures rise dramatically. The agency will provide statewide heat illness prevention training through September. For more information, visit Cal/OSHA’sHeat Illness webpage.

Author: Gail Cecchettini Whaley

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