Outdoor chain workers in the Coachella Valley face extreme heat

With temperatures soaring, Coachella Valley workers at outdoor chain restaurants face extreme heat as they serve customers.

In fact, a News Channel 3 viewer contacted KESQ with concerns about workers at popular drive-thru chains.

Dutch Brothers employees say while working in high temperatures — they wear cooling vests and take many breaks.

At Chick-fil-A Megan Graj, Senior Heart of House Director, said there is a shaded structure employees are required to work under equipped with misters to protect their workers.

"We want to make sure the team has shade," Graj said. "We provide water. We also provide a cool down period. We also tell every team member if they're not feeling well to come inside immediately."

As extreme temperatures are forecast across California this week, outdoor workers safety is a main concern. 

In a statement to News Channel 3, a spokesperson from California Occupational Safety and Health Agency (Cal/OSHA) said:

Outdoor heat illness prevention regulation covers all workers, including those at chain restaurants who are outside. The employer is required to figure out how to protect the workers, which can include shade, cool-down periods, water breaks, etc.

Cal/OSHA released a heat advisory Thursday.

It reminds employers to protect workers from heat illness as extreme temperatures are forecast across California this week.  

News Channel 3 will continue to monitor how businesses are responding to the heat as it continues.