Illustration of farmworkers under a shade structure resting and drinking water

High-heat – Employer Checklist

  • by WCAHS Staff

En español

Cal/OSHA requires that outdoor agricultural places of work have high-heat procedures in place when the temperature is 95°F and above. The checklist below describes both regulatory requirements and best practices to protect employees during heat waves. 

Monitor the Weather 

  • Are you monitoring the temperature before and during the shift?
  • Are you monitoring humidity levels before and during the shift? 

Water, Shade, Rest

  • Is there enough clean, fresh, and cool water at all times? Do you have enough water for each employee to drink at least 1 quart per hour?
  • Do you have enough shade to accommodate all employees who take a break at the same time? Shade is meant to cool down the body, but if it is too hot another method of cooling should be used. For example, consider changing work schedules, assigning lighter tasks, or using a fan or mister.
  • Are you ensuring your employees take a required 10-minute cool-down break every two hours? One of these rest periods can be at the same time as a meal break.

Monitor Employees

  • Are you monitoring employees for any signs of heat illness?
  • Do you have one of the following:
    • A supervisor or leader for every 20 employees or fewer
    • A buddy system
    • Regular communication with employees working alone
    • Other effective ways to monitor employees 

Communicate with Employees 

  • Did you hold a pre-shift meeting to review high-heat procedures?
  • Have you reminded employees to drink water and take cool-down breaks in the shade?
  • Are employees trained to recognize symptoms of heat illness?
  • Have you instructed employees on how to properly respond to someone showing signs of heat illness? 

Emergency Plan

  • Is your Emergency Action Plan up to date?
  • Have you tested the phone signal at your worksite? Do you need a radio or satellite phone?
  • Do you have at least one employee designated to call emergency services? Do all employees know who to call for emergency services and how to call them?
  • Do employees know how to give directions to emergency services?

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