Outdoor workers may get new protection from the heat, according to safety rules under consideration for revision by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The agency scheduled an Aug. 19 meeting in Sacramento to review modifications to its heat regulations.

Neither the existing state regulations, which became effective four years ago, nor proposed changes provide California's outdoor workers protection from heat-related illnesses and death, said Fran Schreiberg, a Bay Area attorney.

In 2005, California required employers to provide water, shade, training and rest for the sun for outdoor workers to prevent heat-related illness. A Cal/OSHA spokeswoman said Tuesday in an e-mail that the Thursday meeting will focus on strengthening the regulations, after "extensive input from labor, industry and community groups."