Heat Illness Prevention
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board adopted a new regulation on June 20, 2024. This regulation, known as California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 3396, addresses "Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment." The standard is applicable to most indoor workplaces where temperatures reach 82°F or higher. It establishes specific safety measures to protect workers from heat-related illnesses in indoor environments. The regulation became effective on July 23, 2024. Cal Poly has opted to set a lower temperature threshold of 80°F for implementing these requirements. Cal Poly heat illness prevention program addresses both indoor and outdoor workspaces, recognizing that many of our facilities may fall under both categories. This approach ensures that all workers, regardless of their work location, are protected from heat-related hazards.
We encourage all employees to familiarize themselves with our heat illness prevention procedures, including recognizing symptoms, understanding prevention strategies, and knowing how to respond in case of a heat-related emergency. For specific details on our indoor and outdoor heat illness prevention measures, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety office.
Staff Heat Illness Prevention Resources and Guidance Documents:
Student Programs Heat Illness Prevention
The California State University (CSU) campuses engage students in a variety of ways that include outdoor activities. This engagement may include camps, clinics, course work, sports clubs, research, fieldtrips, field activities and various other outdoor activities. The CSU strives to offer safe and enjoyable educational environments for our students as they engage in these activities. In support of that goal,the CSU is committed to protecting students as they participate in CSU academic and organized programs.
This program shall be applicable to all student activities where students are participating in University sponsored events, as well as auxiliary operations, which may have indoor or outdoor environmental risk factors for heat illness. This includes but may not be limited to Police, Parking, Facilities Management, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Student Life, Sports Clubs, Special Events, Academic Colleges, Children’s Center, Housing, Support Services, and Orientation Services.
The purpose of the CSU Student Activities Heat Illness Prevention Resource Guide is to develop a process for assessing environmental risk factors for heat illness during student activities in order to mitigate risks related to heat illness. These guidelines apply to University, Club and Auxiliary sponsored, approved or authorized activities. These activities may take place on or off campus.