Blog Archives

Sweeps, Programmed Inspections – and Targeted Employers

LOS ANGELES – There seem to be a bewildering number of inspection targets just now, with various industries being targeted for various reasons. TIPP, the Targeted Industries Partnership Program, conducts sweeps in agriculture and the garment business. The recently announced underground economy strike force will target construction and auto repair, as well as garment work. … Read More »

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Legislature Tackles Control of Workplace Violence

LOS ANGELES – The deadline for introducing bills for consideration by the California legislature and the governor has passed. Here are four of special interest. PUBLIC BUILDING SAFETY ACT: Sen. Art Torres and representatives of public employee unions have introduced SB 1739 that would require state and local governments to conduct risk assessments of their … Read More »

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Dir Hears Comments on Rules – for Workers’ Comp Carriers

SAN FRANCISCO – AB 110 of 1993 created a new category of targeted employers: those which are selected by the insurer to receive loss control consultation services based on who has the greatest workers’ compensation losses (i.e., a high experience modification rating, or Xmod) and significant preventable health and safety hazards. Instructions for insurance carriers … Read More »

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Standards Board’s February Business Meeting

SAN FRANCISCO – Besides holding the marathon public hearing on the proposed ergonomics standard at its February meeting, the Cal-OSH Standards Board conducted its business meeting on February 24. Three previously heard safety orders were adopted and sent to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for review. There were also two petition decisions. As further … Read More »

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Recent Variance Requests

SAN FRANCISCO – The Cal-OSH Standards Board received 12 applications for variance from Title 8 safety standards during February. Most were for relief from the Elevator Safety Orders in order to install wheelchair lifts. One of two concerned with the Pressure Vessel orders, from Southern California Gas Co., seeks to vary from 541(a)(1), safety relief … Read More »

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Short Agenda for April 21 Standards Board Meeting

SAN FRANCISCO – Only one item is set for public hearing when the Cal-OSH Standards Board meets April 21 in Sacramento at 1416 Ninth Street. It proposes amending General Industry 4307(b), which requires that portable power driven circular saws be guarded, to add an exception from lower half blade guarding for fire/rescue personnel “wearing appropriate … Read More »

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Other Legislative Activity

SAN FRANCISCO – Here are three more bills that are pending in Sacramento. For full texts of any of the proposals, contact the Legislative Bill Room, 916-445-2323. WORKPLACE SMOKING: Assemblyman Terry Friedman continues to push for restricting tobacco smoking in indoor workplaces. He recently announced support for the effort by the California Hotel & Motel … Read More »

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OSHA Continues to Issue Big Penalties Against Egregious Offenders

SAN FRANCISCO – Fed-OSHA has proposed $1.6 million in penalties against Rhone-Poulenc AG Co. of Institute, West Virginia, following investigation into an explosion and fire last summer in the chlorination reactor section of the plant. One employee was killed and two were seriously injured. Seventy-seven of the plant’s 1,200 employees worked in that unit. The … Read More »

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