Cal-OSHA balks at tougher heat rules for outdoor workers
By Susan Ferriss
A second attempt to alter state rules to prevent outdoor worker heat
deaths failed Thursday at a meeting of
Cal-OSHA chief Len Welsh wanted emergency amendments requiring that
employers provide shade for at least 25 percent of their workers to rest
in at the same time if temperatures exceed 85 degrees.
Shade was defined, in part, as "any natural or artificial means that
does not expose employees to unsafe or unhealthy conditions."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who supported the changes, issued a
statement rebuking the board after members voted 3-3. One member was
absent.
"With today's vote the board has failed in (its) mission to ensure the
health and safety of
In 2005, after a rash of deaths, the governor backed adoption of
But more deaths, injuries and violations have prompted debate on
strengthening the rules.
Labor advocates opposed a proposal in June that would have allowed grape
vines to be used as shade. They supported Thursday's proposal, with
reservations, after Welsh dropped the vines provision.
Jonathan Frisch, an occupational safety specialist on the board, didn't
want to vote for a temperature as high as 85 degrees to require shade.
Two other board members didn't vote for the amendments because they
thought the changes should apply only to agricultural workers.
Since May, Cal-OSHA has received 21 complaints of workers falling ill in
heat, and three deaths are under investigation. Two may soon be ruled
out, Cal-OSHA says.
Eleven farm operations have been shut down because of violations of
heat-safety rules.
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