CA Workers Could Get Protections Against Extreme Heat

CALIFORNIA — In 2018 a U.S. Postal worker died as she sat in a mail truck that lacked air condition during a record heat wave in Southern California, according to police reports.

Peggy Frank's death, and a cluster of others, sparked calls for changes in working conditions for those working in extreme heat.

A new bill making its way through the state legislature could finally bring protections for employees working in "ultrahigh" heat outdoors.

Assembly Bill 2243 would require that the state's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to weigh heat illness standards for workers in such environments like agriculture or construction.

If passed, the bill would task the board with considering and setting the following standards when temperatures exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Paid rest breaks.
• Heat illness prevention plans.
• Lowering the limit of quality air before respiratory protective equipment is mandatory.

The standards board would be required to review the proposed changes and adopt revised standards before July 1, 2024.

The bill, authored by Assembly Members Eduardo Garcia and Luz Rivas, passed 47-19 last week and will now make its way to the Senate.

Post workers, for example, typically work through heat waves often driving vehicles that lack air conditioning.

The tragic 2018 death of Frank rattled the community she served for decades as well her as co-workers.

Frank's grieving sister echoed the call for change, pointing out a need for air-conditioned vehicles.

"I don't want anyone to go through what we did," Lynn Calkins told the Los Angeles Daily News after her sister's death. "It's sad that they put people through that."