Cal/OSHA Reminders for Agricultural Employers

Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment is a critical responsibility for agricultural employers. Compliance with Cal/OSHA regulations not only protects workers, but also helps avoid costly fines. Here are key reminders on Cal/OSHA compliance areas for agricultural employers to ensure your operation stays compliant.

Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention

Agricultural employers in California must follow Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention for Outdoor Places of Employment regulation. Support resources are available on Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention Guidance and Resources webpage. You may also visit Cal/OSHA’s Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention webpage for additional employer resources.

Provide Adequate Shade

Provide access to shade when the temperature exceeds 80°F. Workers should be encouraged to rest in the shade for at least five minutes if they feel overheated, and shade must be readily accessible at all times. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.

Ensure Continuous Access to Drinking Water

Employers are required to provide sufficient cool, fresh water, ensuring each worker has access to at least one quart per hour. Water must be located as close to the workers as possible and refilled frequently to maintain supply.

Conduct Employee Training

Agricultural workers and supervisors must be trained annually on the risks of heat illness, prevention methods, and how to recognize symptoms in themselves and others. Training should cover emergency response procedures for heat illness incidents.

Monitor for Heat-Related Symptoms and Conditions

Supervisors should closely monitor workers for signs of heat illness, especially on hot days or during heat waves. Employers must have clear procedures for responding to symptoms, including first aid and contacting emergency services when necessary.

Implement a Written Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP)

Employers must develop, communicate, and enforce a written HIPP that outlines procedures for identifying heat hazards, monitoring temperature, providing water and shade, and responding to heat-related emergencies. This plan must be readily available on site.

Indoor Heat Illness Prevention

Cal/OSHA’s new Indoor Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment standard took effective on July 23rd of this year. Visit the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Guidance and Resources webpage for a side-by-side comparison chart of the differences between the Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention standards. Additional resources are available at the Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Prevention webpage.
 

Establish Cool-Down Areas

Create designated cool-down areas that are maintained at a temperature below 82°F. These areas should be large enough to accommodate workers taking rest breaks comfortably, away from direct heat sources.

Provide Access to Drinking Water

Employers must ensure that fresh, cool, and potable drinking water is readily available and accessible to all employees. It should be located as close as possible to work areas to encourage hydration.

Implement Preventative Rest Periods

Employers should encourage and allow workers to take rest periods when needed to cool down, especially in environments where the indoor temperature exceeds 82°F.

Conduct Temperature Monitoring

Measure and record the indoor temperature and heat index whenever it reaches 82°F. If conditions become extreme, employers must take proactive steps to mitigate heat stress.

Train Employees and Supervisors

Provide training for both employees and supervisors on recognizing heat illness symptoms, understanding prevention strategies, and knowing the procedures for responding to heat-related emergencies.

Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)

All agricultural employers are required to have an effective IIPP, and keeping it up to date is essential for workplace safety. Cal/OSHA has published a 32-page guide on developing your Workplace Injury & Illness Prevention Program, as well as an IIPP template resource for employers.

Develop and Maintain a Written IIPP

Employers must create and implement a written IIPP that outlines procedures for identifying workplace hazards, correcting unsafe conditions, and ensuring employee safety. This plan must be reviewed and updated regularly to address any new risks or changes in the workplace.

Identify and Assess Workplace Hazards

Conduct regular inspections to identify potential hazards, such as dangerous equipment, chemical exposure, or unsafe working conditions. These inspections should be documented, and any hazards found must be addressed promptly to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries.

Provide Safety Training

Employers must provide comprehensive safety training for all employees, including temporary and seasonal workers. This training should cover specific job hazards, safe work practices, and emergency procedures. Ongoing refresher training is also necessary to ensure continued compliance.

Implement Hazard Correction Procedures

When hazards are identified, employers must take immediate action to correct them. This may involve fixing equipment, modifying processes, or providing personal protective equipment. Documentation of these corrective actions is required for compliance.

Encourage Employee Reporting and Involvement

Establish a clear process for employees to report unsafe conditions or potential hazards without fear of retaliation. Encourage workers to participate in safety efforts by providing feedback, suggestions, or hazard reports, and ensure follow-up on all concerns.

Respiratory Protection

California regulations require employers to take action to ensure respiratory protection for their workers. Workers exposed to harmful dust, fumes, or pesticides must be provided with proper respiratory protection. Cal/OSHA has published a 31-page guide on Respiratory Protection in the Workplace for employers. Review Cal/OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Fact Sheet for additional information.

Conduct a Hazard Assessment

Employers must assess the workplace to identify respiratory hazards, such as dust, fumes, pesticides, or other airborne contaminants. This assessment determines when respiratory protection is needed and what type of respirators should be provided.

Provide Proper Respiratory Equipment

Employers are required to provide the appropriate respirators for the specific hazards identified. Respirators must be NIOSH-approved, properly fitted to the worker, and maintained in good condition. The type of respirator depends on the nature and severity of the exposure.

Ensure Fit Testing

Before using a respirator, workers must undergo fit testing to ensure the equipment provides an adequate seal and protection. Fit tests should be performed annually or whenever an employee’s physical condition changes, such as significant weight gain or facial changes, that may affect the fit.

Develop and Implement a Written Respiratory Protection Program

In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer should establish and implement a written respiratory protection program. The program should include procedures for training, fit testing, cleaning, storage, and inspection of equipment, as well as medical evaluations for employees required to wear respirators. Cal/OSHA has published a sample program to assist employers with creating their own.

Provide Employee Training

Employers must train workers on the proper use of respirators, including when and how to wear them, how to maintain them, and the limitations of the equipment. Training should also cover recognizing symptoms of exposure to harmful substances and understanding the importance of consistent use.

COVID-19 Prevention

While the COVID-19 pandemic may feel like it’s behind us, there are still active requirements employers must comply with to ensure worker safety and health. The current COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations are in effect through February 3, 2025. The non-emergency regulations are broken into four sections: Prevention, Outbreaks, Prevention in Employer-Provided Housing, and Prevention in Employer-Provided Transportation. 

Cal/OSHA has published a COVID-19 Non Emergency Regulation: What Employers Need to Know guide dated May 22nd, 2024 that employers should review. Visit Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Guidance and Resources webpage for additional support resources.

Maintain a COVID-19 Prevention Plan

Employers must still have a written plan to identify and respond to COVID-19 risks in the workplace. This plan should be integrated into the existing Injury and Illness Prevention Program to ensure comprehensive health protection for workers. Cal/OSHA has published a model plan to assist employers with creating their own.

Continue Screening and Isolation Procedures

Workers with COVID-19 symptoms should not be permitted to work. Employers must continue to provide clear guidelines on symptom checks, testing, and isolation procedures to reduce the risk of workplace transmission.

Outbreak Management

If three or more cases occur within 14 days, employers must follow specific outbreak management protocols, including providing COVID-19 testing at no cost to employees exposed to the virus.

Protect Vulnerable Workers

Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. These accommodations may include remote work options or physical distancing measures.

Recordkeeping and Reporting

Employers must keep records of COVID-19 cases for up to three years and follow updated reporting requirements for outbreaks and fatalities as outlined by Cal/OSHA.