Staying ahead of heat risk: essential prevention strategies for employers  

As extreme heat and severe weather continue to rise globally, California remains one of the first states to advance legislation safeguarding outdoor workers from dangerous heat exposure. Regulators are increasing inspections, updating safety requirements and strengthening enforcement to reduce heat-related illnesses. For employers, taking proactive steps now not only protects employees — it also minimizes operational disruptions, claim exposure and preventable injuries. 

At the PARMA 2026 conference, Sedgwick’s Devora Brainard-DeLong, Vice President of Client Services and Shane Baird, Risk Services Manager of Pooling, joined public entity experts in the session, The heat is on: mitigating extreme working conditions to discuss the growing impact of extreme heat conditions on worker health and safety. Their insights reinforced a key message: heat illness is both predictable and preventable when employers adopt consistent monitoring, training, and early-intervention practices. 

Sedgwick’s Heat Illness Prevention Guide highlights key takeaways from the session and shares practical steps, compliance insights and risk mitigation strategies to help protect your organization and employees from heat illness and its complications.  

Insights from California’s evolving heat safety standards 

California has a 20‑year history with heat illness prevention regulations, beginning with a 2005 emergency rule adopted by Cal/OSHA after five farmworkers died from heat illness. The regulation — the first of its kind in the U.S. —became permanent in 2006 and was later amended in 2010 and 2015. 

These updates strengthened requirements for shade, alternative cooling methods and employee monitoring when temperatures reach or exceed 95°F. Today, these regulations apply across industries including municipalities, agriculture, parks and recreation, construction and landscaping. 

Why does heat illness prevention matter? 

Together, these long‑standing standards underscore a growing need for employers to understand and actively respond to the rising heat risks facing today’s workforce.  

As temperatures continue to climb across California, the risks to employees are increasing just as quickly. Nine of the 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 2014, and inland communities are projected to endure the sharpest spikes. For example, Visalia is expected to see 32 days above 103°F — up from 17 — adding more than a month of extreme heat. Statewide, days above 90°F are projected to climb from 51 this decade to 78 by 2041, signaling a significant shift in everyday working conditions. 

These rising temperatures amplify the common factors that affect employee health and productivity, including: 

• Air temperature and movement 

• Relative humidity 

• Radiant heat from the sun and other sources 

• Conductive heat from the ground 

• Workload severity and duration 

• Personal protective equipment and clothing 

Turn heat risk insights into action 

When supervisors are well-versed in heat illness prevention plans and protocols, they help create a safe and comfortable working environment for everyone. Our guide provides a deeper dive at: 

• The latest insights on heat-related risk trends 

• Evolving heat-risk regulations 

• Rising exposure and workplace impact 

• Proven prevention strategies and actionable checklists 

Sedgwick is committed to helping organizations stay ahead of emerging risks. With expert resources, a robust data set and next-level technology, we’re ready to support your needs as regulations rapidly evolve.  

Download the full guide to strengthen your heat safety program.