Workers’ Compensation Coverage Extended for Injuries Related to Discrimination

Safety & Workers' Compensation

Under California's workers' compensation laws, injuries that are caused to another employee due to a purely personal motivation of a third party aggressor against the victim are typically an exception to the general rule that employers are required to provide workers' compensation or medical treatment for all injures incurred by employees "arising out of and in the course of" their employment.  However, Assembly Bill 1093, which became effective January 1, 2010, now creates an exception to this exception. 

Read more: Workers’ Compensation Coverage Extended for Injuries Related to Discrimination

CRLA and CDPR- A Dynamic Duo

Safety & Workers' Compensation

Special thanks to Rob Roy of the Ventura County Agricultural Association for the following article:

Read more: CRLA and CDPR- A Dynamic Duo

Cal/OSHA to Hold Employers’ Feet to the Fire

Safety & Workers' Compensation

If you've checked the weather lately, you've noticed that much of California is anticipating sizzling late-summer heat this week.  In response, California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health ("Cal/OSHA") is expected to send about 1/3 of its enforcement officers throughout the state to enforce the heat illness prevention regulations.

Read more: Cal/OSHA to Hold Employers’ Feet to the Fire

Cal/OSHA Smacked Down Again - No Changes to Heat Illness Regulations

Safety & Workers' Compensation

For a second time this summer, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) rejected Cal/OSHA's request that it adopt more stringent emergency amendments to the current heat illness prevention standard, section 3395 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. 

Read more: Cal/OSHA Smacked Down Again - No Changes to Heat Illness Regulations

ALERT: Cal/OSHA Sweeps in Colusa, Yolo, and Solano Counties

Safety & Workers' Compensation

With California's high temperatures this week, Cal/OSHA is out in full force conducting sweeps.  It has been reported that 12 Cal/OSHA inspectors are out in Colusa, Yolo and Solano counties conducting inspections on compliance with heat illness prevention regulations. 

Read more: ALERT: Cal/OSHA Sweeps in Colusa, Yolo, and Solano Counties

No Emergency Changes to Heat Illness Regulations

Safety & Workers' Compensation

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) rejected Cal/OSHA's request that it adopt emergency amendments to the current heat illness prevention standard, section 3395 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. 

Read more: No Emergency Changes to Heat Illness Regulations

Emergency Amendments to Heat Illness Prevention Proposed

Safety & Workers' Compensation

Cal/OSHA has requested that the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) adopt emergency amendments to the current heat illness prevention standard, section 3395 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. 

Read more: Emergency Amendments to Heat Illness Prevention Proposed

More FLCs Shut Down for Heat Illness Prevention Violations

Safety & Workers' Compensation

Last week, during enforcement sweeps in the Coachella Valley and San Diego County, California's Economic and Employment Enforcement Coalition (EEEC) shut down five farm labor contractors (FLCs) for heat illness prevention violations.

Read more: More FLCs Shut Down for Heat Illness Prevention Violations

April 24, 2009 Special Alert: Cal/OSHA Inspectors in the Winters Area

Safety & Workers' Compensation

We have just received a report that Cal/OSHA inspectors were out in the Winters area this week conducting sweeps.  One employer was cited for not providing cups to two irrigators who were provided with individual water containers.

Read more: April 24, 2009 Special Alert: Cal/OSHA Inspectors in the Winters Area

Cal/OSHA Releases Its Interpretation of Heat Illness Standard

Safety & Workers' Compensation

Cal/OSHA’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) just released its interpretation of the heat illness regulations. It is intended to be a resource for DOSH enforcement personnel, employers and employees. Employers now face more onerous demands. You can access it at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html.

Below is a heat stress compliance checklist incorporating DOSH’s interpretations, as unbelievable and impractical as they are in some instances.

Read more: Cal/OSHA Releases Its Interpretation of Heat Illness Standard