TABLE 3.

Cal/OSHA Regulations and Recommendations and Compliance in Study Farms

Regulation/recommendation	Response n (%)
PROVISION OF WATER
Pure, cool, no-cost. Sufficient for each worker: 1 quart/hour/worker. Located as close as practicable to work area and relocate as needed.	Always	478 (95)
	Often	21 (4)
*Asked if employer provided drinking water.	Sometimes/never	4 (1)
Provide disposable cups.	Always	460 (95)
	Often	16 (3)
	Sometimes/never	8 (2)
Encourage frequent drinking (3–4 cups/hour) when hot.	Any problem	20 (4)
*Asked if they had any problem with water that was provided.
PROVISION OF SHADE
Shade provided when temperature exceeds 80°F. May be natural but not inside building or car without AC running. Located as close as practicable to work area and relocate as needed.	Yes	502 (99)
*Temperature criterion intensified in 2015; only provision of shade on day of participation was assessed.
Enough shade to allow all employees on rest breaks to sit in normal posture fully in shade without touching.	Yes	461 (92)
	No (Note: it was too cool to use shade)	41 (8)
*Asked if they used available shade.
PROVISION OF REST PERIODS
Employees allowed to take minimum of 5-min rest break. Must not be ordered back to work until any symptoms of heat illness have gone.	Yes	492 (97)
*Asked if they felt comfortable taking a 5-min break every hour if they had HRI symptoms.
Took a lunch break ≥ 10 mins (not in heat standard)	Yes	474 (93)
Number of short breaks other than lunch (not in heat standard)	0	74 (15)
	1	123 (24)
	2	244 (48)
	3+	66 (13)
When ≥ 95°F, a minimum of 10-min rest break in the shade every two hours must be enforced.	Criterion was added in 2015 and not assessed.	–
HIGH HEAT PROVISIONS
When ≥ 95°F, need to:	Most of these provisions were added in 2015 and not assessed by our study.	–
Ensure frequent communication by voice, observation, or electronic means is maintained in case of emerging health issue.
Observe/check employees for alertness and symptoms of HRI.
Implement buddy system: workers monitor a buddy who reciprocates.
ACCLIMATIZATION
Newly assigned employees or those returning after an absence shall be closely monitored by a supervisor for the first 14 days. All employees should be observed in heat waves.	Worked ≥ 15 days that season and ≥ 5 days in previous 2 weeks	408 (95)
*Estimated from the number of days worked in the season and two weeks prior to participation in study. Approximately 85% of participants reported days worked for the season and days worked in previous two weeks.
TRAINING
Effective training before an employee begins work, and seasonally for permanent employees, covering risks, signs, and symptoms of HRI and emergency procedures.	Within the last month	211 (42)
	1 month to 1 year ago	224 (44)
	Never	17 (3)
*Asked when they had received HRI training.
Workers were asked about HRI knowledge, including personal risk factors.	Correct response to:	210 (42)
Correct response to:	Acclimatization	212 (42)
Acclimatization (2 – 14 days to acclimatize).	Water	377 (74)
Importance of frequent drinking of cool water and recommended volumes (3 – 4 cups per hour).	Older age	377 (74)
	Prior heat illness	419 (83)
Older people at higher risk of HRI.	Overweight/obese
Prior heat illness is a risk factor for HRI.
People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk of HRI.
Clothing: recommended workers wear minimum layers of lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting long-sleeved tops and pants and brimmed hat.	No standard comparison.	–
SUPERVISOR TRAINING
Supervisors must be trained to provide all provisions above as well as know employees’ rights. They must track weather information, modify work schedules, maintain emergency contacts, etc.	Not assessed.	–
HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN
Employer must maintain a written plan at the worksite both in English and in the language of the most workers. Plan must be implemented and maintained and must contain all the procedures for provisions above.	Not assessed.	–

HRI, heat-related illness.