Cal/OSHA Reminds Employers of Heat Rules as Temperatures Reach 107 Degrees
Indoor protections apply at 82 degrees, while outdoor shade must be in place when temperatures exceed 80 degrees.
- By Danielle Naidu
- Oct 05, 2026
Workers in the Los Angeles and San Diego regions and inland Orange County are under an extreme heat warning through 8 p.m. Oct. 8. Temperatures are forecast to reach 107 degrees in some valleys. Heat advisories also cover parts of the Bay Area, interior Monterey County and the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, where highs of 94 to 103 degrees are expected.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) requires employers to provide water, rest, cool-down areas and heat-illness training, and to maintain written prevention plans. Outdoor employers must have shade in place when temperatures exceed 80 degrees, while most indoor workplaces must take protective steps at 82 degrees.
When outdoor temperatures reach or exceed 95 degrees, employers in agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas extraction and the transportation of agricultural products, construction materials or other heavy materials must implement additional protections. These include regularly observing workers for signs of heat illness and maintaining effective communication.
About the Author
Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.