Mar 21 2024KFF Health News Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration unexpectedly yanked its support from a sweeping proposal that would have protected millions of California's indoor workers from dangerous heat, saying it can't endorse it without knowing the projected costs to the state.
The move by the Democratic administration angered board members, who called it a "last-minute stunt" that undermines their regulatory process. It also sparked a protest by warehouse workers, who temporarily shut down the meeting as they waved signs declaring that "Heat Kills!" and loudly chanted, "What do we want? Heat protection! When do we want it? Now!"
Newsom spokesperson Omar Rodriguez declined to comment. But Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer disputed the characterization of the administration's concerns as "last-minute." He said the administration has held meetings with board staffers for weeks to discuss estimates for how much it would cost the state to implement the rules in its own buildings. They provided the most recent estimates to Palmer's department in February.
"We need to evaluate that. Is it too high? Is it on point?" he said. "This is not a decision made in an arbitrary manner or concerning policy. We did not have the time to do due diligence."The deadline to keep the proposal on track is March 30. Otherwise the years-long regulatory process may have to start from scratch. But this is unknown territory, and board members said at the March 21 meeting they are not sure how to proceed.
Some businesses have expressed fear that they won't be able to meet the requirements if they are enacted, even with the flexibility the regulation offers. Providing a place for a kitchen worker to cool down in a small restaurant, for example, might not be feasible, according to the California Restaurant Association.
Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiac arrest, and kidney failure. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,600 heat-related deaths, which is likely an undercount because health care providers are not required to report them. It's not clear how many of these deaths are related to work, either indoors or outdoors.
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