OSHA Requirements in California
State PlanCalifornia operates its own comprehensive occupational safety and health program covering most private sector workers and all state and local government workers. Cal/OSHA standards are often more stringent than federal OSHA.
- Who enforces
- Cal/OSHA
- Who is covered
- Private and Public Sector
What this means for your worksites
- Heat Illness Prevention Standard
- IIPP required for all employers
- Wildfire smoke protection
- Most stringent penalties
Where Cal/OSHA goes beyond federal OSHA
A state plan has to be at least as effective as federal OSHA, and may be stricter. These are the areas where California differs.
- Heat Illness Prevention Standard (Title 8 CCR 3395)
- Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) required
- Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard for healthcare
- Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare
- More stringent crane operator certification
- Process Safety Management for refineries
- Repetitive Motion Injury prevention requirements
Requirements to plan for
Heat Illness Prevention
Mandatory water, rest, shade, and training for outdoor workers when temperature exceeds 80°F
IIPP Program
Written Injury and Illness Prevention Program required for all employers
Wildfire Smoke Protection
Protection required when AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 150
COVID-19 Prevention
Comprehensive COVID-19 prevention program requirements
Major industries in California
Where to check
Requirements and penalty amounts change. Confirm the current position with the enforcing agency rather than relying on a summary.
Running sites in California?
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Start the free assessmentGeneral guidance only, not legal advice. Jurisdiction and coverage are summarised from public OSHA information and can change. Verify against the enforcing agency for your worksite.