CalOSHA Issues Another Heat Warning to California Employers
State safety officials urge companies to enforce indoor and outdoor heat protocols as temperatures soar across California through August 2.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Jul 29, 2026
Workplace safety regulators are calling on California employers to implement mandated protections immediately as dangerous heat conditions spread across the state through early August.
Forecasts indicate temperatures could top 120 degrees Fahrenheit in Southern California deserts, with triple-digit heat expanding into the Central Valley, coastal areas and the Bay Area. The National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings and advisories across multiple regions, prompting state enforcement action.
Under standards set by Cal/OSHA, employers must protect staff working in both indoor and outdoor settings. Indoor requirements begin when temperatures reach 82 degrees in facilities such as warehouses, manufacturing plants and restaurants. For outdoor worksites, employers must provide access to fresh water, cool-down breaks and shade whenever ambient temperatures cross 80 degrees.
Certain high-risk outdoor industries face additional compliance rules once temperatures hit 95 degrees. These sectors include agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas extraction and heavy material transportation. Employers in these fields must maintain regular visual observation of workers and establish emergency communication protocols.
All covered employers are required to keep a written heat illness prevention plan and conduct mandatory training to help supervisors and employees identify symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.