California Policy Action Alert

Last week marked the end of the 2018 California legislative session, and three bills awaiting Governor Brown's signature need your support. Please drop him a line at (916) 445-2841 or @JerryBrownGov, and urge him to sign AB 2334, AB 2079, and AB 2963 without delay!

AB 2334 (Thurmond)

Employer Reporting Requirements for Occupational Injury and Illness

Current law requires most employers to track workplace injuries and illnesses, but accessing this information can be difficult for employees and nearly impossible for the public. Workers and advocates need accurate and timely info about occupational injury and illness to help us pinpoint dangerous industries and workplaces, identify patterns of exposure, and strategize collective action to address hazards.

AB 2334 will make it harder for unscrupulous employers to get away with hiding workplace injuries and illnesses. It clarifies that Cal/OSHA has six months to cite an employer after discovering a Log 300 reporting violation – not six months from the violation itself. Also, in the event that federal OSHA rolls back the electronic reporting requirement, AB 2334 would require a convening of stakeholders to address the reporting system for California. Read more about the bill here.

AB 2079 (Gonzalez Fletcher)

Janitor Survivor Empowerment Act

Immigrant women janitors who clean buildings alone at night are at high risk of workplace sexual harassment and assault. That's why janitor survivors have developed a peer-to-peer promotora training program to educate coworkers about their rights.

AB 2079 would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) to develop a set of requirements for qualified organizations and trainers. Employers will be required to use those qualified organizations and trainers to provide biennial trainings on sexual violence and harassment prevention to their employees. Additionally, the bill requires DLSE to approve the registration of a janitorial business only if the employer provides detailed information about their employment arrangements, including info about subcontractors and franchises. Read more about the bill here.

AB 2963 (Kalra)

Worker Blood Lead Levels

People who work around lead, like in battery recycling plants and indoor gun ranges, are in constant peril of exposure to this toxic substance. Adults with high levels of lead in their blood can develop serious health problems like heart disease, kidney disfunction, and cognitive impairment. Workers can also bring the lead dust home to their children who are especially sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

AB 2963 would require the California Department of Public Health to report to Cal/OSHA any instance where a worker’s blood lead level is at or above 25 micrograms per deciliter. In response, Cal/OSHA must treat the report as an allegation of a serious violation and open an investigation into each reported case. Read more about the bill here.

After you contact the Governor at (916) 445-2841 or @JerryBrownGov, help us spread the word by forwarding this email to a friend. We know that you share our vision of safety, health, and justice for all workers. Let's make sure Governor Brown knows it, too!

In Solidarity,

Worksafe

Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

1736 Franklin St., Ste. 500
Oakland, CA | 94612 US

This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.