Occupational safety and health: heat illness prevention certification.
Impact
This legislation significantly impacts the California Labor Code, particularly sections connected to occupational safety standards. By institutionalizing a certification process for heat illness prevention, employers are required to implement safety training programs as part of their on-the-job training. This aims to protect workers from heat-related health issues, which may disproportionately affect certain industries such as agriculture and construction where employees are exposed to high temperatures. The bill's enactment is expected to align with existing heat illness standards and improve compliance across regulated sectors.
Summary
Assembly Bill 2264, introduced by Assembly Member Arambula, seeks to enhance occupational safety and health regulations by mandating that employees obtain a heat illness prevention certification. This requirement is set to take effect on July 1, 2028, obliging employees in relevant industries to secure certification within 30 days of starting their employment and maintain it throughout their tenure. The bill also sets forth that the certification will be valid for three years, promoting ongoing education and awareness around heat illness prevention measures.
Contention
Although the bill is viewed positively for protecting workers, there may be concerns regarding the burden it places on employers. One notable point of contention is that AB 2264 prohibits employers from requiring existing certification as a hiring condition, which might limit businesses from selecting candidates based on their prior qualifications. Additionally, while the bill specifies that training must be provided at no cost to employees during normal work hours, employers might be apprehensive about compliance costs associated with training programs and maintaining certification records.
Administrative aspects
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health is tasked with developing and facilitating the heat illness prevention certification process, ensuring it is accessible in English and the five most prevalent non-English languages utilized by limited-English-proficient adults in California. Furthermore, the bill mandates that at least one certification training course must not exceed $15, making it economically feasible for workers. However, the bill notably states that no reimbursement for passed costs is necessary for local agencies, potentially impacting how these changes are implemented at the local level.