New California rules could require cooler workspaces

STOCKTON – A new Cal-OSHA regulation could go into effect that would force employers to keep workplaces cooler.

If adopted, any temperature above 87 degrees while working inside a building could force companies to find alternatives.

Business owners told CBS13 they understand the importance of staying cool when working indoors.

“We’ve had hot weather for a while now, so fortunately we have a lot of preventative measures in place,” said Chris Ward, vice president of operations for Pacific Coast Producers, a farmer-owned fruit canner.

Ward welcomes Cal-OSHA’s new proposal for employers to keep workers’ temperatures below 82 degrees Fahrenheit or provide them with alternatives, such as access to water, shaded areas and cooling fans.

“It’s something we can hope to achieve, so for us it’s fine, but we’re not at peace with what’s going to happen,” he said.

Due to health and safety reasons, the CBS13 crew was unable to access the warehouse, but they did provide a video showing what they did.

“We are a seasonal company, and our season is summer,” Ward said. “We need to focus on being experts at making everyone comfortable.”

“When it gets this hot, we monitor temperatures and check on our employees,” he said.

“Take care of each other, like I’m not feeling well. That’s not what happens in a restaurant,” said Cuauhtemoc Rivera, owner of Don Luis Mexican Cuisine in Stockton.

Rivera said he has been operating air conditioning and fans all week not only for his customers but also for his employees.

His seating area meets the requirements, but he tries his best in the kitchen.

“In the restaurant industry, for the people in the front, it’s a different temperature,” he said. “But for the people who work the grill, it’s 100 to 150 degrees.”

If temperatures exceed 87 degrees, the new proposal will allow additional breaks and provide cold water.

“We’ll obviously do a double check, but we’ve been monitoring the situation and I would say we’ll be in a pretty good position when the plane hits the ground,” Ward said.

The Act has not yet entered into force. The Office of Administrative Law has 30 days to review it.

Cal-OSHA hopes to have this implemented in August.