Cal/OSHA Adopting E-Reporting Rules

Cal/OSHA intends to mirror Fed-OSHA’s electronic reporting rule, Here’s what the agency proposes and how you can weigh in about it.

Golden Gate Recognition

Here are the latest employers to receive safety achievement recognition from Cal/OSHA.
Safety Professional Profile…

Steve Johnson: Keeping Workers Safe is Motivation for this Safety Manager

Steve Johnson's career took several turns, including working in environmental services and doing safety inspections on the Alaskan pipeline. He is on construction sites about twice a month to inspect workplaces for safety.

Cal/OSHA’s Publishes Workplace Violence Prevention Model

In fewer than four months, Cal/OSHA will start enforcing the requirements of SB 553, aimed at preventing workplace violence. Now the agency has published a model program to help employers craft their programs. Here’s what it looks like.

Workplace Fatality Update

There were three workplace fatalities that involved vehicles in late February, including two struck-by incidents and a crushing.

A Law for Heat Illness Training?

A state Assembly bill calls for workers in outdoor-related industries to be trained on the hazards and preventions of outdoor heat illness. So why is the legislature wading into a requirement already in Title 8?

Appeals Court Rules on Foot Protection Case

A worker’s foot is crushed at a distribution facility, and Cal/OSHA cites the employer. What happened next landed the case in the court system, and here’s the ruling from the California Court of Appeal.

Fatalities: Citations Issued, Lessons Learned About these Workplace Tragedies

Cal/OSHA has cited about a dozen employers in fatality cases from late spring and mid-summer 2023. Here's what the agency says happened in these deadly incidents and its enforcement actions.

Workplace Fatality Update

Fatalities in February include a rider who fell from a horse at a racetrack, a store employee who was attacked, and incidents at two auto shops.

Root Cause of Marathon Incident

What caused a fire to erupt at the Marathon Renewables fuel plant in Martinez. The Chemical Safety Board has been investigating, and the root cause has been determined.

Nola Contender?

As the search for a new Cal/OSHA chief heat up, a candidate emerges from the agency’s rulemaking body.

New Bill Adds Silica Requirements

Cal/OSHA has adopted an emergency standard to prevent silicosis in the engineered stone industry. Now a state legislator is trying to add more requirements – including a licensing program.

The ‘New Guy’ Meets Cal/OSHA

Learning the ins and outs of Cal/OSHA and occupational safety and health can be confusing for a longtime newspaper reporter. Here are the first impressions of Cal-OSHA Reporter's 'New Guy' Gary Warth.

Hoist Petition Decision

A safety equipment company says Cal/OSHA’s standard on construction personnel hoists is hopelessly outdated in one aspect and seeks an update. Here’s how the Standards Board ruled on the petition and why.

Workplace Fatality Update

Here are the latest workplace fatality cases from around California in recent weeks.

The Lead Cast is Set

Cal/OSHA has finally had its vote on sweeping revisions to its lead standards. Now employers have only months to figure out how to comply with the very complicated changes.

Walking / Working Surfaces Committee

Many common workplace surfaces can be the sources of dangerous – or fatal – falls. Here’s what Cal/OSHA is doing to address these hazards at the behest of Fed-OSHA and how you can get involved.

Workplace Fatality Update

Here are the latest fatal workplace incidents from around California from recent weeks.

Public Hearing: Fit Test Update

Under a Cal/OSHA proposal based on a federal requirement, employers would have new alternatives for respirator fit-testing exercises.

Is Narcan Coming to First-Aid Kits?

Opioid overdoses are a vexing problem in the workplace. Two new proposals would require employers to keep a life-saving drug in their first-aid kits.

Newest Cal/OSHA Partners in Safety

Here are the latest participants in Cal/OSHA’s Golden Gate Partnership program, one of several forms of Cal/OSHA safety recognition.

A Safety Program a Cut Above

Ontario’s Wieland Metal Services sharpens its safety program with Cal/OSHA Voluntary Protection Program certification. Here’s how the facility protects its workers.

Workplace Fatality Update

Here are the latest fatal workplace incidents from around California during late January and early February.

CEA’s Excellence in Safety

Here are the 57 contractors honored for stellar safety in 2023 by the Construction Employers’ Association.

A Storm for the Books

When major storms hit, first responders, utility workers, and contractors swing into action to restore power and keep things open. This week’s superstorm had the whole state working overtime.

Gary Warth, Our New Guy

Gary is an addition to our editorial staff and comes to us from the San Diego Union.

Cal/OSHA Employer Recognition

Along with its enforcement duties, Cal/OSHA also recognizes employers for their safety efforts. Here are the programs it sponsors and the latest recipients of that recognition.

Controversy as Lead Vote Looms

The Cal/OSHA Standards Board will take a long-anticipated vote on controversial revisions to the Title 8 lead standards. There will be lots of contentious discussions before the vote happens, though. Here are the issues.

Tragic Incident Spurs Emergency Petition

A renewable fuels plant in Martinez suffers a loss of containment, and an employee is severely injured. Did Cal/OSHA allow the plant to exempt itself from the state’s stringent process safety management regulation? That’s what a union says in petitioning the agency for changes.
Timeliness a common issue in 2023’s DARs

Avoiding the Late Appeal Blues

Most Cal/OSHA Appeals Board Decisions After Reconsideration involve late appeals – and the Board rejects the vast majority. Read how employers get tripped up and how to avoid those often costly mistakes. Click here...

Fatality Cases Resolved

Cal/OSHA cited these four employers after employees were killed on the job. Here's what hap-pened when these cases went to settlement talks.

Workplace Fatality Update

Here are the latest fatal workplace incidents from around California in recent days.

Fed-OSHA Playing Hardball on Fall Protection

California constructors insist that Cal/OSHA’s fall protection rules for residential construction are equivalent – or better than federal requirements. But FedOSHA disagrees and will not budge from its stance. Here’s the latest about the continuing drama.

DIR Names Acting Chief

With the sudden resignation of Jeff Killip, Cal/OSHA has an interim chief. Here’s the latest on this development and the search for a new chief.

Freyman Remains at Appeals Board

A longtime member of the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board will serve another term at the quasi-judicial body.