This California Law Firm Publication by Jackson Lewis P.C. addresses changes to the California Heat Illness Prevention regulation that were approved on February 20, 2015 by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. The amendment to the regulation expands on already existing requirements that obligate California employers to provide employees with potable drinking water, shade, and preventative cool down rest periods. The amendment adds new requirements and sets more detailed parameters in each of these areas. It also builds on existing requirements that employers implement procedures for high heat periods including emergency response preparedness, having a heat illness prevention plan in place, and training employees in preventing heat-related illness. The amendment to the regulation, which will now be reviewed by the California Office of Administrative Law and ultimately transmitted to the California Secretary of State for publishing in the state Code of Regulations, is expected to take effect in May, when the next “heat season” begins.