First-Ever California Indoor Worker Heat Rule Nears Finish Line

California is close to finalizing its first heat stress protections for workers who labor indoors after a state safety board approved a regulation that was delayed earlier this year over cost concerns.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board unanimously ratified the heat stress rule on Thursday, sending it for one last legal review before it can take effect. Once finalized by the Office of Administrative Law, California will join Minnesota and Oregon as the only states to adopt indoor heat standards that apply to all industries.

Development of the rule, which comes as federal regulators work on a ...