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When the temperature equals or exceeds 95°F, employers must provide one ten-minute "preventative cool-down rest period" every 2 hours. During the first 8 hours of a shift, the cool-down periods may be provided at the same time as the rest periods already required by Industrial Welfare Commission Order No. 14 (8 CCR 11140).
If employees work longer than 8 hours, the employer must provide an additional 10-minute cool-down rest period every 2 hours. For example, if the shift extends beyond 8 hours, an additional rest period is required at the end of the eighth hour of work. If the shift extends beyond 10 hours, another is required at the end of the tenth hour.
Employers must ensure that employees actually take the cool-down rest periods required under this section. Merely offering the opportunity for a break is not enough.
Employers are required to provide additional breaks as soon as the temperature equals or exceeds 95°F. For example, even if the temperature does not reach 95°F until the last half of an eight-hour shift, the employer must ensure that employees take cool-down rest periods starting at the end of the eighth hour of work if the shift will last longer than eight hours.
Cal/OSHA does not require employers to keep records of breaks issued under this section, but doing so is the best practice and would benefit them.