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Department of Industrial Relations
Office of the Director
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
PH: (415) 703-5050
John Duncan, Director and State Designee
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
1515 Clay Street Suite 1901
Oakland, CA 94612
PH: (510) 286-7000
FAX: (510 286-7037
Len Welsh, Chief
2000 East McFadden Avenue Room 214
Santa Ana, CA 92705
PH: (714) 558-4411
FAX: (714) 558-4431
Vicky Heza, Deputy Chief of Enforcement
Cal/OSHA Consultation Services
2424 Arden Way, Suite 485
Sacramento, CA 95825
PH: (916) 263-5765
1 (800) 963-9424
Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 350
Sacramento, CA 95833
PH: (916) 274-5721
FAX: (916) 274-5743
Send mail to the OSHSB
Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board
2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95833
PH: (916) 274-5751
FAX: (916) 274-5785
Send mail to Appeals Board
Michael Wimberly, Executive Officer
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
Discrimination Complaint Investigation Unit
2031 Howe Avenue, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95825
PH: (916) 263-1811
FAX: (916) 916-5378
Angela Bradstreet, Labor Commissioner
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About the California State Plan
The State of California, under an agreement with OSHA, operates an occupational safety and health
program in accordance with Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Initial
approval of the California State Plan was published on May 1, 1973, and certification for completing
all developmental steps was received on August 19, 1977.
The Department of Industrial Relations administers the California Occupational Safety and Health
Program, commonly referred to as Cal/OSHA. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is
the principal executor of the plan which oversees enforcement and consultation.
In addition, the program has an independent Standards Board responsible for the promulgation of
state safety and health standards and the review of variances; an Appeals Board to adjudicate
contested citations; and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to investigate complaints
alleging discriminatory retaliation in the workplace.
Jurisdiction
The California State Plan applies to all public and private sector places of employment in the
state, with the exception of Federal employees, the United States Postal Service (USPS), private
sector employers on Native American lands, maritime activities on the navigable waterways of the
United States, private contractors working on land designated as exclusive Federal jurisdiction, and
employers that require Federal security clearances.
See 29 CFR 1952.172.
Regulations and Standards
The
Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is a standard setting agency within the Cal/OSHA
program. The Board's objectives are to adopt reasonable and enforceable standards at least as
effective as federal standards within six months of the effective date, grant or deny applications
for variances from adopted standards, and respond to petitions for new or revised standards.
This is the only agency in the state authorized to adopt, amend or repeal occupational safety and
health standards or orders. In addition, the Standards Board maintains standards for certain areas
not covered by federal standards or enforcement. These latter standards apply to elevators, aerial
passenger tramways, amusement rides, pressure vessels, and mine safety training.
When the need for rulemaking action has been established, staff develops the proposed standard
changes generally with the assistance and recommendation of an advisory committee that consists of
representatives from industry, labor, the public, and other interested groups. The proposal is then
scheduled for the Board at a public hearing that is held monthly in Sacramento, Los Angeles,
Oakland, or San Diego.
The independent Board is a part-time seven-member body appointed by the Governor with representation
from labor, management, occupational safety, occupational health, and the general public.
Enforcement Programs
The
Cal/OSHA enforcement unit has jurisdiction over every place of employment in California which is
necessary to adequately enforce and administer all occupational safety and health standards and
regulations.
The Cal/OSHA enforcement unit conducts inspections of California workplaces in response to a report
of an industrial accident, a complaint about an occupational safety and health hazard, or as part of
an inspection program targeting industries which have a high rate of occupational hazards,
fatalities, injuries or illnesses.
The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) investigates allegations of retaliation or
discrimination for complaining about safety and health conditions or practices in the workplace
within six months of adverse action. Additional information is available on the
DLSE web page.
Voluntary and Cooperative Programs
California has developed several programs that rely on industry, labor, and government to work as
partners in encouraging and recognizing workplace safety and health programs that effectively
prevent and control injuries and illnesses to workers. These partnership programs are promoted and
emphasized to encourage employers to participate. Additional information on Voluntary Protection
Program (VPP), Golden State, Golden Gate, and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program
(SHARP) is available on the
California Partnership Page.
Cal/OSHA Consultation provides workplace safety and health assistance to employers and workers
through on-site assistance and special emphasis programs. Consultative assistance is provided to
employers through on-site visits, telephone support, publications and educational outreach.
Policies and Procedures
Cal/OSHA's policies and procedures for enforcement.
Informal Conferences and Appeals
An employer who has been issued a citation or notice, or another affected person, may participate in
an informal conference with Division personnel and discuss any evidence which affects the existence
or classification of the alleged violation and/or the proposed penalty. Employers should contact the
Area Office that issued the citation to request an informal conference.
The Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board handles appeals from private and public sector
employers regarding citations issued by Cal/OSHA for alleged violations of workplace safety and
health laws and regulations.
The Board consists of three members appointed by the governor for staggered four-year terms. By
statute, one member is selected from the field of management, one from the field of labor, and one
from the general public.
Employers may appeal a citation and notification of penalty, notification of failure to abate,
special order, or order to take special action within 15 working days from receipt of one of these
documents. When the Board receives notification, it is reviewed for timeliness and assigned a docket
number. Thereafter, dates will then be set for a telephonic pre-hearing conference and an appeal
hearing. Additional information is available on the
Appeals Board web page.
Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board
2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95833
PH: (916) 274-5751
FAX: (916) 274-5785
Send mail to Appeals Board
Other Resources
Cal/OSHA offers a wide variety of educational materials on workplace safety and health topics that
are available by download on the
publications web page.
Disclaimer
OSHA makes every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate and up to date, but
changes in state law and procedures affecting the information on this page are beyond OSHA's
control. Contact state program staff directly to verify important information.
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