On July 23, 2024, a new regulation went into effect which aims to prevent heat illness in indoor workplaces. 

The regulation applies to all indoor workplaces where temperatures are equal or greater to 82°F – with a few exceptions. “Indoor” refers to spaces that are under a ceiling or overhead covering which restricts airflow and is enclosed along its entire perimeter by walls, doors, windows, dividers, or other physical barriers which restrict airflow. Additional guidelines apply to locations where the temperature or heat index is at least 87°, as well as high-radiant heat areas or workplaces where employees wear cooling-restricting clothes or PPE where the indoor temperatures are 82°F or higher. Please note that this regulation does not apply to incidental exposures where an employee is exposed to temperatures above 82°F for less than 15 minutes in any 60-minute period.

The impact of this regulation on most laboratories is unlikely to be as significant as it will be for other indoor workplaces on Campus such as greenhouses or kitchens. The reason for this is that most labs on the UC Davis campus are equipped with mechanical ventilation and climate control. However, there are particular conditions which may subject certain labs to the requirements of the regulation.

Temperature controlled labs which must be kept at higher temperatures as part of their research will be affected if the indoor temperature is above 82°, for example. The same applies to workplaces which experience high-radiant heat, which is heat transmitted by electromagnetic waves and not by conduction or convection, such as hot surfaces or liquids. In a laboratory setting, this may include locations where autoclaves, large vacuum pumps, or large ovens are present and capable of increasing the temperature to 82°F or above. Another example would be a laboratory where employees are required to wear PPE while temperatures are at least 82°F. Any of these conditions would trigger the regulation and would require supervisors to implement heat illness prevention steps and control measures such as, but not limited to, regular breaks, providing access to potable water near the laboratory, cooling area access, and acclimatization.

The best way to ensure that your lab and staff comply with this regulation is to visit the EH&S Heat Illness Prevention website. Our team has compiled a variety of resources to ensure that the UC Davis community is aware and prepared to implement changes if necessary. The online training available on the LMS portal is also a valuable resource for supervisors and employees to understand the new rules, with the added benefit of presenting the similarities and differences between the indoor and outdoor regulations. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please direct them to Luis Trani at lftrani@ucdavis.edu.