Cool Down Period Now Required

If it is over 85 degrees amended Labor Code Section 226.7 allows penalties to be imposed for the failure to provide cool down and rest areas at the rate of one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of compensation for each work day that recovery period is not provided.

The Heat Illness Prevention regulations apply to Agriculture, Construction, Landscaping, Oil and Gas extraction and transportation or delivery of agricultural products, construction materials or other heavy materials.

You need to have written policy to provide shade and water– if the temperature is over 85 you need to provide one or more areas with shade and water and ventilation or cooling accommodating at least 25% of the shift of employees at one time. These areas must be as close as possible as to where the employees are working.

CAL/OSHA shall enforce these regulations.