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Understaffing at the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has limited the state agency’s ability to perform on-site inspections, a July 17 report from the California State Auditor revealed. The auditor also concluded that Cal/OSHA didn’t provide adequate reasons for closing workplace complaints and accidents without performing an on-site inspection. The auditor’s office […]
Brazilian Stone Design LLC, a Powder Springs, Georgia, stone countertop manufacturer, faces $33,000 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines for exposing workers to respirable crystalline silica, the agency announced July 10. OSHA cited the employer, which fabricates and sells kitchen and bathroom countertops, with seven serious violations. According to the agency, the employer allegedly […]
The National Safety Council (NSC), in partnership with the NCCCO Foundation, has published “Addressing Heat Stress in the Crane Industry,” a new report that aims to help employers combat heat-related injuries and illnesses, the group announced July 3. The report, published through the NSC’s Work to Zero initiative, offers targeted recommendations to protect crane workers […]
Domestic workers, such as caregivers, gardeners, and house cleaners, who are employed by companies in California are now covered by the state’s workplace safety and health laws, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced July 1. Changes in state law allow Cal/OSHA to enforce regulations for covered employers in the domestic services […]
Ahead of summer 2025, in a May 16 announcement, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) reminded the state’s employers of its indoor and outdoor heat illness prevention standards. The agency also reminded employers of educational materials, guidance, model programs, and other resources available from the agency, which offers annual training held statewide […]
On May 5, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced the availability of new guidance clarifying the state’s updated lead exposure prevention standards for construction. Cal/OSHA’s amended lead standards for the construction industry went into effect January 1. The amended standards require employers to perform exposure assessments for employees who may be […]
SeaWorld’s Orlando theme park faces $16,550 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines after a park employee was injured during a training exercise with a killer whale, the agency announced March 21. An agency investigation concluded that the trainer wasn’t properly protected from hazards while working with the whale. OSHA cited SeaWorld with a […]
Smelly Mel’s Plumbing and Sewer Rat Plumbing face a total of $529,640 in state fines for violating safety regulations that resulted in serious injuries to a construction worker during a trench collapse in San Mateo, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced February 10. Cal/OSHA cited the two employers after finding a total […]
Most of California’s COVID-19 Prevention Nonemergency Standards requirements ended this week, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced February 4. State COVID-19 reporting and recordkeeping requirements, however, remain in effect until February 3, 2026. The nonemergency standards took effect February 3, 2023, and remained in effect for two years. While the state […]
Employers performing cleanup work following the recent Los Angeles and Ventura County fires are subject to California’s workplace safety and health regulations, according to the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The state workplace safety and health agency recently updated its guidelines for fire cleanup. The safety hazards of fire cleanup include demolition, […]