DIR reminds employers and workers to prepare for potential El Niño impacts
Sacramento — As active weather systems begin to move through California, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), along with its divisions, is reminding employers and workers to prepare for workplace hazards this winter storm season. Severe weather, including conditions that may be influenced by El Niño, can bring heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, landslides, debris flows and power outages.
Under Cal/OSHA regulations, employers are responsible for protecting workers from workplace hazards, including hazards created or worsened by severe weather.
Employers should review worksites and procedures before storms arrive and take appropriate steps to protect employees. This may include:
- Review and update Injury and Illness Prevention Programs and Emergency Action Plans.
- Monitor weather, road and emergency conditions that could affect workers.
- Identify hazards associated with flooding, high winds, downed power lines, unstable structures, landslides and debris flows.
- Make sure workers understand emergency procedures and how to report unsafe conditions.
- Provide appropriate training and protective equipment for employees involved in emergency response, cleanup or recovery work.
Additionally, employers cannot require workers to report to, or prevent them from leaving, an affected work area if they reasonably believe it is unsafe. Employers also cannot prevent workers from using their phones to seek emergency assistance, assess whether conditions are safe or check on the safety of others. Certain workers, including first responders and disaster service workers, may be exempt from these protections.
Preparing for El Niño
California has already taken steps to prepare for potential El Niño impacts, including the signing of an emergency proclamation by Gov. Gavin Newsom to strengthen statewide preparedness and coordinate resources ahead of winter storms.
DIR also continues to support the California Workplace Outreach Project, which partners with community-based organizations that serve as trusted messengers to reach some of California’s most at-risk workers, helping them understand their rights and access workplace protections.
Additionally, DIR is participating in a state task force coordinated by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to prepare for potential El Niño-related storms. The group is working to strengthen statewide preparedness efforts and help protect Californians before, during and after severe weather events.
Additional Resources:Cal OES has developed and posted resources for the public and provides breaking information on their social media channels below:
- El Niño Tool Kit
- Cal OES Facebook
- Cal OES X
- Cal OES Instagram
- Cal OES News
- El Niño State of Emergency Media Briefing 9-21-26
Other Resources:
Workers in California are protected regardless of their immigration status. Workers who have questions about safety and health in the workplace can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a live bilingual Cal/OSHA representative between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.
Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424 or their local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office, or email InfoCons@dir.ca.gov.
Workers or their family members may call the Labor Commissioner's retaliation complaint investigation helpline at 855-526-7775 for assistance if they have experienced retaliation or immigration-related threats or abuse at work, or if they have been detained or deported without receiving all wages owed.
Workers who file wage claims or retaliation complaints, or otherwise exercise their workplace rights, are not required to disclose their immigration status.
Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161