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California · Workplace safety

The workplace safety (OSHA) rules in force in California now.

California State Plan (Cal/OSHA); Title 8 CCR safety orders; covers private-sector and state/local government employers. Enforced by Cal/OSHA (Division of Occupational Safety and Health, DIR); standards adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Workplace safety in California

Checked on the source
In force

California State Plan (Cal/OSHA); Title 8 CCR safety orders; covers private-sector and state/local government employers

Cal/OSHA State Plan: approved May 1, 1973, certified Aug 19, 1977; operational status agreement renewed Jan 5, 2024. Covers private-sector and state and local government employers; excludes federal employers and some maritime, military and tribal settings. Cal/OSHA says the Board must adopt a workplace violence standard by Dec 31, 2026; draft sec. 3343 remained a discussion draft in Oct 2026.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

Cal/OSHA (Division of Occupational Safety and Health, DIR); standards adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; confirm the local office for the address.

What changes next

Workplace violence standard Dec 31, 2026

Standards Board must adopt a general-industry workplace violence prevention standard by Dec 31, 2026; draft Title 8 sec. 3343 still in advisory stage (in-person advisory meeting on the Sept 2026 draft held Oct 27, 2026; page read Oct 28 shows no later materials and no Board notice), so timing is uncertain

The federal layer

The federal layer applies in every state: OSHA's Hazard Communication update (91 FR 1695) sets November 20, 2026 for substances and May 19, 2028 for mixtures. State-plan states enforce it through their own agency.

Dated items

Next 24 months
Dec 31, 2026
Statutory deadline for the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to adopt a general-industry workplace violence prevention standard (Labor Code 6401.9)Cal/OSHA / Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
Confirmed date

What a building has to do

6 recurring duties

These apply when the building has the equipment or fits the type named. The frequency is the standard one; your local official can set a stricter one, so confirm it for the address.

One-time deadline
Hazard Communication: written program, labels and retraining for substances29 CFR 1910.1200; 91 FR 1695 · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-26. Source
Annual
Lockout/tagout: written energy-control procedures; at least once a year an authorized employee who does not use a procedure inspects it, and the employer certifies the inspection (equipment, date, employees involved, inspector)29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4) and (c)(6) · Federal OSHA or state plan; owner documents · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Every 5 years
Electrical safety: qualified-person training for anyone who works on or near energized equipment, and the arc-flash incident energy analysis reviewed for accuracy at least every 5 years, with equipment labels kept current29 CFR 1910.332; NFPA 70E-2024, 130.5(G) · Federal OSHA or state plan; qualified engineer or trainer · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Confined spaces: identify permit-required spaces (vaults, tanks, pits, sewage wells) and post danger signs; if staff enter, keep a written permit program, keep cancelled permits at least a year, and review the program within a year after each entry (one annual review can cover them all)29 CFR 1910.146(c), (d)(14) and (e)(6) · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Injury records: post the OSHA 300A annual summary from February 1 through April 30; hotels and motels (NAICS 7211) with 20 or more employees at the establishment also submit it electronically by March 2 (100 or more: the 300 and 301 too)29 CFR 1904.32 and 1904.41, Appendices A and B to Subpart E · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Emergency action and fire prevention plans, where another OSHA standard requires them: in writing (employers with 10 or fewer employees may give them orally); the emergency plan reviewed with each employee at initial assignment, when duties change and when the plan changes29 CFR 1910.38 and 1910.39 · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source

Questions about the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in California

Which OSHA rules apply in California today?

California State Plan (Cal/OSHA); Title 8 CCR safety orders; covers private-sector and state/local government employers. Cal/OSHA State Plan: approved May 1, 1973, certified Aug 19, 1977; operational status agreement renewed Jan 5, 2024. Covers private-sector and state and local government employers; excludes federal employers and some maritime, military and tribal settings. Cal/OSHA says the Board must adopt a workplace violence standard by Dec 31, 2026; draft sec. 3343 remained a discussion draft in Oct 2026.

Who enforces the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in California?

Cal/OSHA (Division of Occupational Safety and Health, DIR); standards adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.

What changes next for the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in California?

Workplace violence standard Dec 31, 2026. Standards Board must adopt a general-industry workplace violence prevention standard by Dec 31, 2026; draft Title 8 sec. 3343 still in advisory stage (in-person advisory meeting on the Sept 2026 draft held Oct 27, 2026; page read Oct 28 shows no later materials and no Board notice), so timing is uncertain

Other areas in California

Everything in force in California
Fire code2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9), based on the 2024 IFC with California amendm…Building code2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2), based on the 2024 IBC with California am…ElevatorsTitle 8 CCR Subchapter 6 Elevator Safety Orders; Group 4 incorporates ASME A17.1-2004 (con…BoilersLabor Code 7620-7771; Title 8 CCR Boiler and Fired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders (secs. 75…Pools and spasTitle 22 CCR Div. 4, Ch. 20 Public Pools (secs. 65501-65551; current text effective Jan 1,…Hotels and lodgingState Housing Law covers construction and upkeep of hotels and motels, enforced locally; h…Retrofit and recertificationExterior elevated element (balcony, deck, stairway, walkway) inspections: Health and Safet…

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