Workers: Know Your Rights

If you work outside or inside without AC, you’re at risk for heat-related illness.

Here are some possibly life-saving guidelines to follow at your workplace.

• If you work outside, employers are required to provide shade when temperatures are over 80°F.

• If you work inside, employers must provide access to at least one cool-down area kept below 82°F.

• Employers must allow workers who ask for a cool-down rest period to take one.

Outdoor workers often arrive at work dehydrated.

Start and end every day with plenty of fluids.

• Drink a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you are not thirsty! 

• Apply cool compresses around your neck and under your arms.

• Rest in a cool environment like a shaded area, air-conditioned room or car.

Learn more at dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatillnessinfo.html

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Watch Out for Heat-Related Illness

Heat Stroke

• Red, hot, dry skin 

• Confusion

• Rapid pulse

• Throbbing headache

• Temperature above 104°F (40°C)

• Fainting

Heat Exhaustion

• Dizziness

• Heavy sweating

• Cramps

• Nausea or vomiting
  

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Take Action

Heat Stroke

1) Call 911 immediately - heat stroke is a medical emergency

2) Move person to cool or shaded area

3) Keep their body in cool water as you wait

Heat Exhaustion

1) Move person to a cool or shaded area

2) Apply cold, wet cloths on their body

3) Keep them hydrated 

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Protecting Workers from Extreme Heat

UCLA LOSH produced four worker health and safety video clips in the following six Indigenous languages:

• Drinking Water | Tomar agua

  • Itsimani (Purepecha)

  • Utijik joron (K’iche)

  • Tu’n t-xi’ tk’wana a’ (Mam)

  • Uuk nëëj (Ayuujk/MIXE)

  • B’ab’el Q’anej: Uk’ a’ej (Q’anjob’al)

  • Zapoteco (Zapoteco)
    

• Shade and Rest | Sombra y Descanso

  • K'umantikua ka mintsikurhikua (Purepecha)

  • Mu’j chi’l Uxlanem (K’iche)

  • Leku’n ex ojlal (Mam)

  • Ap jëts aptso'ok (Ayuujk/MIXE)

  • Kab’ Q’anej: Enel k’al xewb’al (Q’anjob’al)

  • Zapoteco (Zapoteco)

• Heat Illness Symptoms | Síntomas de enfermedades causadas por el calor

  • Mámaru jásï p'ikuarheratecha k'erati tsantechani jimpo (Purepecha)

  • Síntomas de enfermedades causadas por el calor (K’iche)

  • Yek’b’il yab’il tu’n tlaj kuw kyaq (Mam)

  • Xë'n yakjäw ku än xpä'ämtu'unë'n (Ayuujk/MIXE)

  • Tzet chi yun hab’on hamichaj yuj q’a (Q’anjob’al)

  • Zapoteco (Zapoteco)

• Extreme Temperatures | Temperaturas Extremas

  • K'erati aparhikurhitecha (Purepecha)

  • Nimaq uchuq’ab’il q’aq’tewal (K’iche)

  • Kuwxix tq’ab’ q’ij (Mam)

  • Timy mëjk än (Ayuujk/MIXE)

  • Skan Q’anej: Yet ow q’aq’al k’u (Q’anjob’al)

  • Zapoteco (Zapoteco)

Videos provided by UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program.