The Cal/OSHA Standards Board has adopted first aid standards for electricians that are equal to the Federal OSHA standards.  In addition to General Safety Orders and Construction Safety Orders, the following applies to low-voltage and high-voltage electrical workers:

CPR and First Aid: For field work involving two or more employees at a work location, at least two trained persons shall be available.  Exception: Only one trained person need be available if all new employees are trained in first aid, including CPR, within 3 months of their hiring dates.

For fixed work locations such as generating stations, there must be enough trained personnel to reach an electric shock victim within 4 minutes.  In remote locations where there are not enough workers to achieve 4 minutes, all workers must be trained in CPR and first aid.

First aid supplies must be readily available and in waterproof containers if exposed to weather.  They must be inspected frequently enough to ensure that expended items are replaced and inspected at least once a year. (Remember to document inspections!)

Post courtesy of Valley Contractors Exchange in Chico/Sutter/Yuba Counties in California

On January 1, 2011, AB 2774 amended the California Labor Code Section 6432 to alter the way Cal/OSHA issues serious violations to employers for safety violations.  The new labor code changes the definition of serious injury or illness or serious physical harm as cited by Cal/OSHA. (This does not change the definition of a serious injury for reporting purposes under title 8, section 342.) It also changes how a serious violation is determined and investigated and the appeals process for Cal/OSHA citations.

The California Legislature applied these changes to respond to federal OSHA concerns about the serious violations issued by Cal/OSHA.  Federal OSHA suggested that Cal/OSHA and the California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board (OSHAB) could improve their handling and processing of serious violations.

Cal/OSHA issues regulatory, general, repeat, or serious citations to California employers for safety violations in the workplace.  The definitions for regulatory and general citations have not changed.

Keep in mind that serious violations can have penalties up to $25,000 compared to the $7,000 maximum for a general violation. Penalties may also apply for failing to correct a violation by the abatement date.  Serious and willful violations may also result in criminal charges and higher worker’s compensation liability.

A copy of AB 2774 is posted at the following url:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_2751-2800/ab_2774_bill_20100930_chaptered.html

“Construction has gotten so complex and regulated that companies can only succeed when they know the rules of the game.  For the cost of a night at the races, contractors can get what they need over three short days and be ready to work profitably all year – Contractors get top quality information, spend time with people who speak their language, and save a bucket of money.  It’s like being at a sports bar with 25 big screens tuned to different games, and all the food and beverages are priced as if it’s 1978.  Contractors can hear in three short days what takes me all year to write about in our Newsletter articles.”

˜ Kate Leyden, Valley Contractors Exchange ˜

“Everyone associated with the construction industry understands that our business can be extremely dangerous. Whether working in excavation; at extreme heights erecting steel; building our highways or building homes; our workers are always at risk of being injured. However, we also understand that the industry can be made much safer when our workers are properly trained and educated. To that end, the Sacramento Builders Exchange has developed a truly unique event that provides safety training and education to all construction workers. The Safety Expo offers a comprehensive training and education curriculum that’s presented by some of the country’s most knowledgeable trainers. Further, the Expo incorporates a trade show element where employers and workers alike have access to safety suppliers, manufacturers, and other safety related stake holders. We appreciate having access to such a great program and look forward to attending the next Expo.”

˜ Nick Cloud, Northern Pacific Safety Director, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. ˜