California’s Cal/OSHA Standards for Workplace Safety: Your Rights and Employer Obligations

The Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board is an organization that works to ensure a safe work environment for California workers. California’s Cal/OSHA standards for workplace safety protect employees from the potential risks of workplace hazards. As a California employee, you hold basic rights to keep yourself protected from work-related injuries. Follow this article to know about your rights under the Cal/OSHA standards. 

Employee Rights under the OSH Act

•  The employees in California are entitled to receive training about the hazards, methods of preventing harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.
• Under this act, you may file a confidential complaint to have your workplace inspected. 
• Employees have the right to receive copies of the results from tests done to find hazards in the workplace.

• The employees have the right to get copies of their workplace medical records.
• The employees may participate in an OSHA inspection and speak in private with the inspector if they think it is necessary. 
• The employees also have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if they face retaliation from their employer as a  result of practicing their rights under the OSH Act.

Employer obligations under OSH Act

• California employers are required to establish and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program and update it regularly to ensure the safety of the employees. 
• Employers need to conduct inspections to find out the hazardous conditions.
• Employers must provide safe tools to the employees and properly maintain this equipment.
• Employers also need to pay for personal protective equipment (PPE).  
• The workplace must be color-coded and labeled to warn the employees of potential hazards. 
• Employers are obligated to arrange necessary medical examinations and training required by Cal/OSHA standards. 
• Employers need to provide access to medical records and exposure records to employees or their legal representatives.
• The employers can not discriminate against employees who exercise their rights under the California OSH Act. 
• Employers of California must notify OSHA about a workplace fatality within 8 hours of the occurrence. 
• Employers are obligated to inform OSHA  within 24 hours of any work-related inpatient hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye.
•  Employers should train the workers in a language that is understandable to them.
• Employers need to keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses. 
• Employers may need to arrange for performing tests in the workplace, such as air sampling if it is required by the OSHA standards. 
• Employers must be ready to provide hearing exams or other medical tests required by OSHA standards. 
• Employers also need to post OSHA citations and illness data in a place that is accessible to all workers. 

 

Final Words

California’s Cal/OSHA standards for workplace safety aim to ensure a safe workplace environment for all workers. The Cal/OSHA  promotes, adopts, and maintains workplace safety standards. They cover both public and private sector employees under their safety standards. Hopefully, you have gained a clear understanding of Cal/OSHA standards from the above discussion. 

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