California Lawmakers Demand Audit of Workplace Safety Agency Over Farmworker Protections

Amid allegations of enforcement failures and dangerous working conditions, Cal/OSHA faces increased scrutiny and calls for an audit.

California lawmakers are intensifying scrutiny on the state's workplace safety agency, Cal/OSHA, over its enforcement of labor laws protecting farmworkers.
Farmworkers and advocates report dangerous working conditions, including exposure to extreme heat and pesticides, and allege slow responses and possible tip-offs to employers by Cal/OSHA.
Assembly Labor Committee Chairperson Liz Ortega plans to seek an audit of Cal/OSHA, citing concerns over agency failures amid previous budget surpluses.
Cal/OSHA's Acting Chief Debra Lee announces plans for an agricultural enforcement unit and a multilingual hotline for reporting violations.
The Department of Industrial Relations, which oversees Cal/OSHA, struggles with high turnover and vacancies, impacting its enforcement capabilities.