Cal-OSHA’s Limited Role in Enforcing – AB 13 Workplace Smoking Restrictions

SACRAMENTO - Cal-OSHA Chief John Howard has advised regional, area and district managers about their role in enforcement of AB 13 (T. Friedman), which added new section 6404.5 to the Labor Code. The statewide ban on tobacco smoking in an enclosed work space will be enforced by local law enforcement agencies including local health departments. Cal-OSHA will not normally be involved unless the employer has been found guilty of a third violation of the ban within the previous year, in which case there wil