California OSHA Clashes with Finance Department Over Workers’ Indoor Heat Protection’s Budget Concerns

By Moon Harper

Mar 23, 2024 01:43 AM EDT

Amidst rising temperatures due to global warming, a California workplace safety board has approved regulations mandating companies shield employees from excessive indoor heat. The regulations focus particularly on warehouse environments, which still face opposition from other state agencies.

The Approval of Indoor Heat Protection

According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, commonly called Cal/OSHA, approved the regulations on Thursday Los Angeles Times, despite a last-minute objection from the Department of Finance due to the state's financial Implications.

There is no federal heat standard in the United States, with California having only implemented heat protection regulations for outdoor industries such as agriculture and construction since 2006. However, developing guidelines for indoor heat protection has been a lengthy process, beginning with the state enacting legislation in 2016 to draft standards specifically for indoor workers.

The proposed regulations would encompass a variety of workplaces, including warehouses, schools, and kitchens. They would mandate the provision of cooling devices, access to water, and designated cooling-off break areas at specific temperature thresholds and regulate the monitoring for signs of heat illness among employees.

California Addressing Heat-related Illnesses

Sheheryar Kaoosji, the Executive Director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, praised the decision and emphasized that approximately 15 million workers in the state would benefit from these regulations.

Kaoosji highlighted in a statement that the hottest years on record have occurred within the last decade, underscoring the increased urgency of addressing the risks associated with working in high heat, especially considering the time it has taken to finalize these standards.

California has experienced an e-commerce boost, which led to the construction of large warehouses for companies like Amazon, where workers in the industry have frequently voiced concerns about the risk of heat-related illnesses.

In a statement, Amazon asserted that its heat safety protocols frequently surpass industry standards, highlighting that it equips all its fulfillment centers and air hubs with air conditioning.

The Department of Finance Blocking the Vote

The Department of Finance attempted to block the vote of the Cal/OSHA board, expressing apprehensions about significant costs incurred by correctional and other facilities, which, according to H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance, could amount to billions of dollars.

Palmer stated that the state Office of Administrative Law will require approval from the Department of Finance before proceeding with the regulations, saying it only received partial data regarding the regulations in February. Palmer said that the decision stemmed from failing to properly assess the financial implications and review the data earlier in the process, which could have affected the state.

Labor and climate activists objected to the attempt to remove the heat-protection item from Thursday's meeting agenda, and board Chair David Thomas agreed, emphasizing that there is no reason it should not be approved "because they are right that their lives are the ones that are on the line."