What's Cal/OSHA Asking for Now?

The Cal/OSHA Ag Enforcement Task Force has been opening offices and hiring staff, aiming to be proactive rather than solely responding to complaints and incidents. Employers should be aware that many inspectors are newly hired, freshly trained, and may be less familiar with what real-world application of regulations look like in the field. While Cal/OSHA frequently references a standard inspection format and document request form, it appears individual inspectors may be creating their own checklists that may not fully reflect the California Title 8 regulations. Such as requesting toilet maintenance records for two years, pay stubs to verify employer of interviewees, or Safety Data Sheets for consumer products like hand soap.
 
Employers and field supervisors should be prepared to appropriately respond to agency visits, inspections, and document requests. Employers do have the right to refuse entry to private property, however should take into consideration that the agency make seek to return with a warrant to allow them access.
 
In light of recent events and concerns regarding immigration enforcement actions, Cal/OSHA representatives have shared that recent training for inspectors has emphasized the importance of clearly identifying themselves and the purpose of their visits.