HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02241987 - S.14 —PITO: 'BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Supervisor Sunne Wright McPeak . Contra
COsta
DATE: Introduced February 10 , 1987 for Action on -K County
February 24 , 1987
SUBJECT: Opposition to the Elimination of California OSHA
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
The Contra Costa! County Board of Supervisors oppose the
elimination and defunding of the California Occupational
Safety and Health Agency as proposed by the Governor in his
1987-88 budget. Communicate the position of opposition to the
Governor and Legislature leadership and the Contra Costa
delegation.
BACKGROUND
There is much evidence that the California worker needs the
protection of agressive enforcement of safety and health laws.
CAL OSHA has performed an important function in the past. For
example,
- If the State elects to implement its own enforcement,
the federal government pays half the cost. If California
gives up its own enforcement, it forfeits the right to
pursue stricter laws.
- California OSHA has successfully pursued the outlawing of
the short-handled hoe in agriculture. This is not
outlawed in federal law.
- State law requires adequate sanitation and drinking water
in the fields, federal law does not.
- Federal standards are much weaker for other work
conditions such as high speed tunneling and notification
of workers of hazardous materials in the workplace.
- Since 1971, 1federal OSHA has referred just 37 cases to
the Justice Department and only 14 were prosecuted. By
contrast, there have been more than 200 prosecutions in
California during the last decade.
- The Governor' s proposal will mean an increase in worker' s
compensation insurance costs for employers. The
Industrial Indemnity Insurance Company has estimated that
if the elimination of CAL OSHA resulted in just to
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON February 24, 1987 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: County Administrator ATTESTED X44
Legislative Delegation via CAO Phil Batch or, Clerk of the
Board of. Supervisors & County
Administ ator
Me8e/7-8e BY DEPUTY
I
r
Opposition to the Elimination
of California OSHA
February 24, 1987 Page 2
increase in injuries it would mean a $50 million boost in
worker' s compensation costs. . This potential increase far
outweighs the potential $8 million savings in the
Governor' s ,budget from the elimination of CAL OSHA.
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