Knowing the CAL/OSHA Law, Requirements, and Training Options

Posted On: March 28, 2018

The Law

The State of California, Division of Occupational Safety and Health [Cal/OSHA] Serves to Ensure Safe and Healthful Workplaces for Employees

Employers are required to implement an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program [IIPP]
The Program must include Training on Safe Work Practices
Employees have the right to file a complaint with Cal/OSHA about workplace hazards

The Requirements

Employer Responsibilities:

Develop an effective system for communication with employees
Create a system to encourage the reporting of hazards
Correct hazards in an effective, efficient, and timely manner

Employee Responsibilities:

Participate actively in the training sessions
Learn how to recognize health and safety standards
Immediately report any hazards identified to the employer

Employees Have the Right to Refuse Hazardous Work

Employers cannot legally punish or penalize employees for refusal to work if:

The task violates Cal/OSHA regulations for health and safety
The violation creates a 'real and apparent hazard' for the employee and their co-workers

Before refusing to work, employees are required to:

Inform their supervisor of the hazard and request its correction
Be willing to work once the hazard is corrected
Be willing to be reassigned to other 'safe' work
State your belief that a health and safety regulation is being violated
Call Cal/OSHA to file a complaint in case the problem is not fixed

It is illegal for employers to threaten, suspend, demote or discharge employees for exercising their health and safety rights or filing a complaint with Cal/OSHA.

The Training Options

360Training Offers a 10 Hour Cal/OSHA Online Training Course On Completion of the Course, You Will:

Understand Cal/OSHA's Standards for Potential Hazards
Employer-Employee Rights
Responsibilities for Holding Inspections, Reporting, Handling Emergencies, and Recordkeeping for Accidents
Understand OSHA Regulations for Safe Use of Equipment such as Ladders, Scaffolding, and Power Tools
Receive a Certificate of Completion