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

Safety & Workers' Compensation

Heat illness continues to be a high profile and politically charged issue in California.  This week the San Joaquin County District Attorney's office charged the principals from the Merced Farm Labor contractor that employed 17 year old Maria Isavel Vasquez Jimenez who died last May after suffering heat illness, with involuntary manslaughter.

COUNSEL TO MANAGEMENT:

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will continue conducting sweeps on heat illness prevention compliance throughout the state and push their interpretation of the state heat illness standard, Title 8, California Code of Regulations §3395.  Again, here is information about DOSH's interpretations and a heat stress compliance checklist. Management should prepare itself for Cal/OSHA inspectors.

The goal of this article is to provide employers with current labor and employment law information. The contents should not be interpreted or construed as legal advice or opinion. For individual responses to questions or concerns regarding any given situation, the reader should consult with The Saqui Law Group at (831) 443-7100.