Weekly Fatality Update

An employee of Pick Pack and Haul in Porterville died while pruning bushes. The employee of the ag labor contractor collapsed and was transported to a hospital and later pronounced death. The cause of death had not been determined as Cal-OSHA Reporter went to press. In Azusa, an inmate maintenance worker for the California Department … Read More »

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What Should Be In Your Telecommuting Policy?

All of a sudden, many California employers are being required to have their employees telecommute – work from home – if possible. This week, at least seven Bay Area counties announced three-week shelter-in-place orders in an attempt to tamp down the spread of COVID-19. Sacramento and Placer Counties have also issued orders. The Bay Area … Read More »

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Serious Cites, Cal/OSHA Settlements

Among the settlements approved by the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board in February are four fatality and numerous injury incidents. Here are some of the most significant cases. JM Equipment Co.: This Manteca employer faced $57,200 in proposed penalties following the June 2016 death of an employee, who was working on a warehouse dock plate. Cal/OSHA’s Division … Read More »

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Tree Worker Killed

A workplace fatality in Sonoma County County killed one person and seriously injured another. The incident was on private property near Forestville, along the Russian River. The decendant is David Romero Mendoza, 31, of Modesto, an employee of Placerville based Mountain F Enterprises, a tree-cutting company. He was operating an all-terrain vehicle on the property … Read More »

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Safe Mail & Package Handling

These safety ideas apply not only to employers but to all of our homes as well. While much of society is shutting down temporarily to stop COVID-19, the mail will … Read More »

Is Homeowner Citable for Tree Trimming Incident?

It is a unique case that has not been addressed by any court so far. Cal/OSHA cited a homeowner after an unlicensed tree trimmer was seriously injured at the property being used as a rental. The Cal/OSHA Appeals Board has decided that the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) had no jurisdiction to cite … Read More »

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New DIR Director Named

More than a year into his term, Gov. Gavin Newsom has named a new director at the Department of Industrial Relations. She is Katrina S. Hagen, who has held positions at several California state agencies. The position has been officially vacant since April 2018. Victoria Hassid who has been Acting Director was concurrently appointed chair … Read More »

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Freyman Reappointed to Appeals Board

The governor’s office announces the reappointment of Judith “Judi” Freyman as the management member of the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board, where she has served since 2012. This term will be her third on the board, which handles appeals to Cal/OSHA citations. Previously, she was director and vice president of the western occupational safety and health group … Read More »

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