While there are no specific federal regulations about working in extreme cold or heat, you do have a right to a workplace “free from recognized hazards .” That includes exposure to extreme cold and heat. Some states do have more rigorous rules regarding heat, and you can find the state plans here .
Heat Standards in Specific States
The following states have standards for heat exposure: California. California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard requires employers to provide training, water, shade, and planning. A temperature of 80°F triggers the requirements. See CalOSHA's website.
There is no legal maximum or minimum working temperature.
You have a right to make a complaint to Cal/OSHA, the agency in charge of making sure that workplaces are safe for all workers. Cal/OSHA will investigate if you and other workers are in danger of heat illness or death and will not ask you about your immigration status.
OSHA understands that a comfortable temperature for one person might be too hot or too cold for another. Because of this, they cannot designate one specific workplace temperature; however, OSHA does have some workplace temperature regulations, stating that employers set the thermostat between 68 and 78 degrees.
Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment regulation applies to most indoor workplaces, such as restaurants, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. For indoor workplaces where the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness.
Provide fans, such as desk, pedestal or ceiling-mounted ones. Provide air-cooling or air-conditioning and adequate ventilation. Ensure windows can be opened to keep air circulating. Shade employees from direct sunlight with blinds or by using reflective film on windows.
Under California law, employers are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for their employees, which includes protecting them from extreme heat. Employers who fail to take necessary precautions may be liable if a worker suffers a heat-related illness or injury.
As a guideline, the lower limit of the hot working temperature of a material is 60% its melting temperature (on an absolute temperature scale). The upper limit for hot working is determined by various factors, such as: excessive oxidation, grain growth, or an undesirable phase transformation.
Indoor Heat Requirements
On June 20, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 3396, “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment”. This standard applies to most workplaces where the indoor temperature reaches 82°F.
While there are no specific federal regulations about working in extreme cold or heat, you do have a right to a workplace “free from recognized hazards .” That includes exposure to extreme cold and heat. Some states do have more rigorous rules regarding heat, and you can find the state plans here .
Fever: A body temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) shows your body is fighting an infection. Rest, hydrate and let your body recover. “Stay home until you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications,” Kadri said.
OSHA does not require employers to provide heat or air conditioning for work spaces. OSHA does recommend temperature control in the range of 68-76°F.
All occupational illnesses must be recorded. As defined in NIOSH's Occupational Diseases, A Guide To Their Recognition (1977), the physical disabilities caused by excessive heat exposure, in order of increasing severity, are heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Employees who work in traditional office environments have a lower risk of indoor heat exposure, and although there is no standard related to indoor office temperature, the OSHA technical manualopens in a new tab recommends employers maintain workplace temperatures in the range of 68-76 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity ...
Employers have a legal and moral responsibility not to assign work in high heat conditions without protections in place for workers, where they could be literally worked to death. This is true even in Texas, despite its recent law limiting local ordinances on heat illness protections.
Strenuous work tasks and those requiring the use of heavy or non-breathable clothing or impermeable chemical protective clothing should not be conducted when the heat index is at or above 115°F.
If you have to work while it's hot outside:
Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package. Ask if tasks can be scheduled for earlier or later in the day to avoid midday heat. Wear a brimmed hat and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Spend time in air-conditioned buildings during breaks and after work.
Can Temporary Workers Sue A Company? Because you have the same rights and laws as any other temporary worker in California, you can take legal action against a negligent company.
Cal/OSHA's heat illness prevention standard applies to all outdoor worksites. To prevent heat illness, the law requires employers to provide outdoor workers fresh water, access to shade at 80 degrees, and, whenever requested by a worker, cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks.
It is usually accepted that people work best at a temperature between 16°C and 24°C, although this can vary depending on the kind of work being done. When the workplace gets too hot it is more than just an issue about comfort. If the temperature goes too high then it can become a health and safety issue.
There are two ways that Cal/OSHA can respond to a complaint. Cal/OSHA can conduct an unannounced onsite inspection, or an investigation by letter. Cal/OSHA will decide how to respond based on the information in the complaint, including the description of the hazards.