URGENT UPDATE: A devastating audit reveals that California’s workplace safety agency, Cal/OSHA, is critically understaffed, putting the state’s 19 million workers at risk. Released on October 26, 2023, the findings from the California state auditor’s office indicate a shocking 32% vacancy rate, translating to 289 unfilled positions within the agency.
The audit highlights severe deficiencies in Cal/OSHA’s ability to conduct timely inspections and address hazardous conditions. Alarmingly, the agency has closed numerous workplace complaints and accident reports without conducting necessary on-site inspections, raising concerns about the safety of workers across various industries.
Recent tragedies underscore the urgency of this situation. A 19-year-old worker tragically lost his life in a meat grinder accident in Vernon, while several others were killed in a catastrophic explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County. These incidents have intensified scrutiny on Cal/OSHA’s operational failures.
According to the audit, which analyzed 60 cases handled by Cal/OSHA over a five-year period ending in 2024, the agency’s inspections often lack essential documentation. This has led to serious questions about whether potential violations were overlooked. Furthermore, when fines are imposed, they are frequently lower than warranted, and reductions in penalties are not adequately justified.
Former Cal/OSHA inspector Garrett Brown stated, “Chronic understaffing of Cal/OSHA has severely crippled its ability to protect the 19 million workers in California, putting them at risk and making them vulnerable to irresponsible employers.” This sentiment echoes concerns raised by labor groups and lawmakers who assert that Cal/OSHA has fallen short in enforcing vital workplace safety standards.
Cal/OSHA spokesperson Denise Gomez acknowledged the agency’s challenges but emphasized ongoing efforts to improve. She stated that Cal/OSHA is expanding recruitment and has reduced its vacancy rate from over 30% to 12% in the past two years. New enforcement offices are being established in Fresno, Santa Barbara, and Riverside counties, alongside a new agricultural-focused unit aimed at better outreach to farmworkers.
The agency is also set to enhance its operations with a new electronic data management system, which will streamline the complaint filing process and improve internal documentation of violations. “These collective efforts reflect our deep commitment to continuous improvement and ensure that Cal/OSHA is better positioned than ever to protect the health and safety of California’s workers,” Gomez added.
As California faces heightened risks from climate change, particularly extreme heat affecting outdoor workers, the imperative for Cal/OSHA to bolster its staffing and enforcement capabilities has never been more critical. The state and its workers are watching closely as the agency attempts to navigate these challenges and implement necessary reforms.
WHAT’S NEXT: Stakeholders and advocates for worker safety will be closely monitoring Cal/OSHA’s progress in addressing these urgent staffing issues. The public is urged to engage with the agency’s new complaint processes as they roll out in the coming weeks, making safety a collective priority in California workplaces.
