(W&V) - With prospects looming for a long, hot summer, vineyard owners and managers should ensure that safety measures are in place to avoid heat-related illnesses among field workers.

Responding to an expected heat spike during the first week of May, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) issued the first High Heat Advisory of 2014. Temperatures were expected to be 15° to 25° higher than normal throughout California.

Despite the ongoing drought, the state coordinator for heat enforcement Bill Krycia told Wines & Vines, “I don’t know that being a drought year increases risk to employees.” During periods of extreme heat, he said, CalOSHA recommends that workers “in all industries” consume 1 quart of water per hour.

Already addressing complaints

Although unwilling to cite specifics, Krycia acknowledged that his department already has received some complaints this year, as it did in 2013. “I can’t address the complaint process,” he said. “We take all complaints very seriously.”

The standards for employee protection have remained the same as when they were established in 2010, and employers should be prepared to implement them when the need arises.

Staff training is a vital component of maintaining vineyard safety. “I recommend as best practice to conduct tailgate meetings regularly and routinely,” Krycia said. “Employers should have short, regular meetings. Especially with extreme conditions: Remind employees to drink small quantities of water throughout the workday.” Such meetings should begin “now—or earlier” to ensure worker safety, Krycia said