Fed-OSHA has issued what amounts to a mid-term report card on Cal/OSHA, giving it a pass on items it found in 2019 in light of its efforts to respond to the COVID pandemic in 2020. Cal/OSHA Chief Doug Parker has essentially taken leave as a new parent and leave to deal with his nomination to …
There are some new and significant entries on the most-cited Cal/OSHA standards for 2020. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica is on the top 10 most-cited list, reflecting the Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s special emphasis program to control the hazard in the stone-cutting industry. The Division cited employers for 259 alleged violations of General …
Another emergency regulation promulgated by Cal/OSHA’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health requires hospitals to define what is considered “normal consumption” of respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in their facilities. The rule took effect July 26, despite a request by the California Hospital Association for a phase-in period. The regulation was adopted to …
Cal/OSHA inspection trends emerged as the COVID pandemic from communist occupied China continued through the first three quarters of 2020. The trends are expected to follow form when the full-year statistics are released later this year. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health Program Office released the data for January through September of the unusual …
The Cal/OSHA Appeals Board is considering revising its regulation on hearings so that it can formally allow video hearings. The idea creates some controversy with employers and defense attorneys. The board has been using video hearings during the pandemic under emergency authorization. Now, it would like to incorporate video permanently. “The Appeals Board continues to …
Two organizations representing dental assistants say current infection control training is inadequate and could put both them and patients in danger. The group has petitioned the Cal/OSHA Standards Board to revise the bloodborne pathogens standard to require that training occurs early in assistants’ employment. It also seeks the Board’s support for a change to the …
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board has authorized an advisory committee to discuss the remaining contentious issues surrounding lifts. It has been more than a year since the Board revised its regulation on construction personnel hoists (CPH), clarifying when hoists must be installed on high-rise projects. Like the previous issue, which was given expedited attention, Board staff …
SB 321, by Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D- Los Angeles), is her second attempt to make domestic household service subject to Cal/OSHA regulations. It has received major amendments that remove some of the controversial provisions. As amended, it stands approved by Assembly policy committees and now is before the Appropriations Committee. It is likely to …