Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch Division of ...

1 Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch Division of Occupational Safety and health This publication explains the functions of the California Occupational Safety and health ( Cal/OSHA ) Program and some common requirements of California law and regulations for workplace safety and health . However, it is not intended to provide interpretation of the law and regulations. Anyone who has questions about the California laws and regulations should refer directly to the pertinent sections of the law and regulations. Workplace safety and health information is available 24 hours a day on the internet at: Cal/OSHA safety and health publications are available at You may also call Cal/OSHA Consultation Services offices listed on the back cover of this guide for information on how to get Cal/OSHA publications.

2 Table of Contents Page Overview of .. 1. Internet access .. 1. Employer & Employee Assistance .. 2. Consultation Service .. 2. What is an Injury & Illness Prevention (IIP) Program? .. 3. Keeping Records & Reporting .. 4. Injury & illness records .. 4. Reporting fatalities & serious injuries .. 4. Exposure records .. 4. Documenting activities .. 4. Employee access to medical & exposure records .. 4. Workplace Safety & health Inspections .. 5. What to Expect on a Cal/OSHA Inspection .. 6. Initial contact, presentation of credentials .. 6. Opening conference .. 6. Walkaround .. 7. Closing conference .. 7. Informal conference .. 8. Occupational Safety & health Appeals Board .. 8. Employee Involvement .. 9. Filing a complaint .. 9. Protection from discrimination .. 9. Walkaround .. 9. Closing conference.

3 9. Informal conference .. 9. Occupational Safety & health Appeals Board .. 9. Types of Citations & Penalties .. 10. Permit Requirements .. 11. Carcinogen control .. 11. Asbestos work, lead work .. 12. Crane safety .. 12. Construction permits .. 12. Permit renewal by mail .. 12. Blasting licenses .. 13. Mining & tunneling, pressure vessels, elevators, amusement rides, aerial passenger tramways .. 13. Cal/OSHA equipment approval .. 13. Occupational Safety & health Standards .. 14. Occupational Safety & health Standards Board .. 14. Taking part in the standard setting process .. 14. Variances .. 14. Worker Rights & Employer Responsibilities .. 15. Worker Rights/Responsibilities .. 15. Employer Responsibilities .. 15. Publications and Resources .. 16. Directory of Offices .. 17. Overview of Cal/OSHA 1.

4 The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) within the The 1993 workers' compensation legislative reforms Labor and Workforce Development Agency has mandate targeted inspections and consultations as a first administered the Cal/OSHA program since 1973 when line of defense against rising workers' compensation California's plan was submitted to federal OSHA for claims. Primary emphasis is on high-hazard industries and approval. employers who show the highest incidence of workplace injuries and illnesses. Major units related to Cal/OSHA program are: Division of Occupational Safety and health (DOSH) - In 1999, Assembly Bill 1127 made statutory changes enforces worker safety and health standards, offers free increasing the effectiveness of Cal/OSHA 's enforcement training and Consultation to employers and their efforts and the safety and health protections provided employees for complying with the workplace safety and t o California workers.

5 health regulations. California's workplace safety and health program is Occupational Safety and health Standards Board - respected worldwide for its ability to meet the adopts, amends and repeals standards. challenges of the ever changing work environment - a Occupational Safety and health Appeals Board - hears tradition dating back to 1911. appeals regarding Cal/OSHA enforcement actions. Internet Access . Support for Cal/OSHA program is also provided by the: The DIR Web site offers a wide variety of workplace Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, within DIR - safety and health information. Some of the most protects employees who report hazardous working common sites are: conditions from being discriminated against in the DOSH website workplace. Division of Labor Statistics and Research, within DIR - Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations publishes reports on occupational injuries and illnesses.

6 Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service Accidents and Complaints - to report a workplace (HESIS) - administered by DIR and the Department of accident or file a complaint to the nearest Cal/OSHA . Public health - evaluates and provides information about Enforcement Unit District Office toxic substances. Publications - to download Cal/OSHA publications Cal/OSHA covers virtually all workers in the state, including those employed by state and local government. Consultation Assistance to obtain help from the Cal/OSHA does not cover federal employees or offshore Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch maritime workers. eGovernment to get information related to DOSH. Some DOSH responsibilities described in this guide are units and programs, Labor Code sections, policy and mandated only by the state law, and do not receive federal procedure references, Title 8 regulations, regulatory funding.

7 These responsibilities include: agencies, technical information and compliance data. Certifying employers, consultants and trainers involved in asbestos-related work. Permits/Registrations/Certifications/Not ifications . to get information on the requirements for permits, Issuing permits for operation of elevators, registrations, certifications and notifications. amusement rides and aerial passenger tramways. Inspecting mines, tanks and boilers. Records of Occupational Injury and Illness to help you familiarize with the provisions of the Legislation affecting the Cal/OSHA program includes recordkeeping regulations. unique requirements concerning cranes, construction permits, asbestos, lead, ergonomics, and bloodborne The Workers Page - explains how to file Cal/OSHA . pathogens. In 1989, Senate Bill 198 required employers complaints and whistleblower complaints, and describes worker rights and responsibilities.

8 To establish and maintain an Injury and Illness Prevention (IIP) Program. Employer & Employee Assistance 2. Cal/OSHA believes that enforcement is not the only tool and health programs including documents/records, and for decreasing worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities. assesses how effectively the programs are put into practice. Federal OSHA and Cal/OSHA both use incentives Walk-Around Hazard Identification - consultant conducts a promoting voluntary compliance, as well as employer/ walk-around inspection and helps you identify and correct employee education and training to identify and abate unsafe conditions and work practices. worksite hazards. Cal/OSHA provides consultative Training and abatement assistance - the consultant may also provide formal or informal training to employers and assistance to employers and employees through employees on safe work practices and other subjects during Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch .

9 Or after the onsite visit. Consultation Service Closing Conference - at the end of the onsite visit, the consultant will summarize the findings and timeframes for The mission of the Cal/OSHA Consultation Services correcting serious hazards with a written report to follow. Branch is to help eliminate worker injuries and illnesses The written report provides guidance for setting-up an by providing effective workplace safety and health effective IIP and other programs, a hazard summary, and assistance to California's employers and the employee other helpful information. community. Its objectives are to: Onsite Consultation visits do not result in citations or identify hazards and promote safety and health to penalties. However, in return for receiving the free onsite small high hazard employers assistance the employer must agree to timely correction of educate employers and employees about the benefits hazards identified that could potentially lead to the injuries of safety and health or illnesses or death.

10 Encourage employers and employees to implement and maintain good safety and health practices Offsite Consultation Cal/OSHA also provides Consulting Services are offered through onsite visits, Consultation to employers and employees away from the offsite Consultation , high hazard employer program, worksite via telephone, email, or office-meetings. providing educational materials, partnership programs High Hazard Employer Program This program and outreach assistance. identifies high hazard establishments for inspection through the regional targeting plan or through accident and Request assistance from the Cal/OSHA Consultation complaint referrals, and focuses on implementing an Services Branch by calling their toll-free number: effective Injury and Illness Prevention (IIP) Program. 1-800-963-9424.