On October 14, 2006, Chris Baker, a partner at Thelen Reid & Priest, LLP, gave a talk in San Francisco on OSHA, which may stand for Occupational Safety and Health Act or Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
The federal OSHA does not apply in California. The federal government allowed the states to pass their own acts as long as the acts were as effective as the federal. California has its own act.
California’s act covers workplace safety and health. Under the California law, all employers are required to have a written Injury Illness & Prevention Program (IIPP). The IIPP must set forth the person responsible for implementing the program (usually having a position versus an individual’s name is recommended in the event someone quits the position); the employer’s system for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards; employer’s system for communicating workplace hazards; and the employer’s training program for safety.
Workplace violence may be considered a hazard requiring training. Workplace violence occurs frequently in healthcare organizations from patients. The second industry where there is a lot of workplace violence is retail. There is no standard on how employers need to deal with workplace violence.
Some employers such as temporary agencies may have difficulties in implementing the IIPP because the agencies are suppose to inspect the workplace before sending employees to the workplace.
Hazard communications cover cleaning supplies. For instance, industrial soap used at a car wash may include hazardous materials. Employers must tell employees about hazardous materials when they come into contact with them. Signage and training may be forms of communication.
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