California Eyes Prison Heat Protections That Fall Short of Workplace Standards

California is crafting weaker heat protections for prisons than other workplaces, citing billions in costs to cool aging institutions as climate and health risks increase. It’s a second-class standard, health and safety advocates say, and would leave correctional workers more susceptible to heat illness.

By: Erin Rode, Capital & Main

Outlets: KFF Health News

Published: September 17, 2026

Words: 1,708

Last Updated: 1 day, 7 hours ago

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As Californians have weathered relentless heat waves, state workplace safety regulators have repeatedly reminded employers to protect employees from heat illness by providing water, shade, cooldown areas, and additional rest breaks when temperatures climb.

But there’s a notable exception in the state’s heat safety rules: Not covered are the nurses, guards, staff, and tens of thousands of incarcerated people who work in California’s aging correctional facilities, which are largely not air-conditioned.

In …

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