Minnesota has a specific heat illness regulation: Minnesota Rules Part 5205.0110. Here is what MN OSHA requires, what gets cited, and how to close compliance gaps before an inspection.
Minnesota has a specific standard for high-temperature outdoor work. Triggers at 80°F WBGT (wet bulb globe temperature) or equivalent apparent temperature. Unique among Midwest states for having codified heat standards. Enforcement includes surprise summer inspections.
"Minnesota's Minnesota Rules Part 5205.0110 applies to all outdoor places of employment — including commercial pressure washing operations. Employers must provide water, shade, rest periods, acclimatization, training, and a written Heat Illness Prevention Plan. Each element is independently citable." Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health (MN OSHA)
These six requirements form the core compliance framework. MN OSHA inspectors verify each independently. Missing any single element is sufficient grounds for a citation — even if the other five are in place.
| Requirement | What's Required in Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Water | Adequate cool water accessible; 1 quart per hour minimum recommended in high heat |
| Shade | Shade or cool rest area accessible when WBGT ≥80°F or apparent temperature ≥91°F |
| Rest Breaks | Work-rest schedules based on WBGT; lighter work means longer work periods, heavier work shorter |
| Acclimatization | New and unacclimatized employees: modified schedules for first 7 days |
| Training | Heat illness recognition, prevention, and emergency response for all outdoor workers |
| Written Plan | Recommended under MN OSHA guidance; required for federal OSHA compliance |
Minnesota OSHA cited 23 outdoor service employers in 2024 for heat violations. Twin Cities metro area sees significant enforcement during July and August heat events. A commercial cleaning contractor was cited $5,800 in 2023 for failure to provide adequate water and rest during a heat advisory.
Heat illness violations are among the most straightforward citations in OSHA enforcement: the standard is clear, the failure is visible (no shade, empty water jugs, no written plan), and the injury creates automatic scrutiny. Pressure washing contractors are a common target because outdoor work is inherently high-exposure and crew sizes are often small enough that written plans are overlooked.
A written Heat Illness Prevention Plan creates the paper trail that separates a correctable general violation from a serious or willful citation. In Minnesota, employers with a written plan who experience a heat illness incident face substantially lower penalty exposure than those without one.
SurfaceOps HIPP Generator builds a state-specific, MN-compliant Heat Illness Prevention Plan from your company details. Free preview — full PDF with email.
Generate Your HIPP →Includes HIPP template, OSHA 300 log, incident reports, and 9 crew acknowledgment forms. The documentation kit that covers your bases beyond heat illness.
Get Safety Pack →Minnesota's Part 5205.0110 uses WBGT as the primary heat metric, which accounts for temperature, humidity, sun load, and wind. At ≥80°F WBGT, shade and water are required. Most smartphone apps and weather services provide equivalent apparent temperature for practical use.
Yes. MN OSHA requires heat illness prevention training before outdoor work. Training must cover heat illness symptoms (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke), first aid, and emergency procedures. Supervisor training is separately required.
Minnesota's standard uses WBGT to prescribe work-rest ratios. At ≥87°F WBGT (heavy work), employers must provide at least equal rest to work time. The standard provides a full table by workload level — light, moderate, heavy, very heavy.
Serious violations are up to $7,000 per citation. Willful or repeat violations reach $70,000. MN OSHA also has authority to issue stop-work orders during active heat emergencies for employers with prior heat violations.
Other state heat illness guides: