Business Communication

Subject Discussed Safe Workplace

In the first video it talked about being safe in the workplace. The thing that was most talked about was Cal-OSHA, which is the California Occupational Safety and Health Program. I was really interested in this topic so I researched it on the internet and also got information on it from another class I am taking. What I found out was Cal-OSHA was administered since 1973 when California plan was approved by Federal OSHA. The major units includes DOSH, which is the Division of Occupational Safety and Health standards. It enforces worker safety and health standards. It is also free training to employees and employers.

According to the article on Cal OSHA, it covers virtually all workers in the state including those employed by state and local government. What I found out is that CAL OSHA does not cover federal employees or offshore maritime workers. I do not understand why this is but I guess that this is one of the rules and we have to follow them. SO I suppose it is better to work for the state and federal government.

Some of the terms that were discussed in the video were compliance. This comes into play when someone calls because of a problem. If these people have to come out and investigate and find something wrong with the facility, fines can occur. A general fine could cost the company $1,000 just for a rug that is not set correctly and someone trips over it. If you have an uncovered outlet and someone trips over the cord you will also be fined for this at a $1,000. It seems to me like that is harsh but you do have to have things in working order. A serious violation could cost the company $7,000. I forgot what they said as an example on this. A serious willful act could cost the company up to $70,000. I believe that could be doing something on purpose and that should cost a big fine. These amounts are very scary to me because accidents can and will happen but you do have to fix the problems that have occurred. Remember California is big about suing someone just to get money.

Consultation is another word that was used in the video which is where someone can call CAL OSHA and someone will come out to look at the problems. They will walk through the facility to check to see what the problem is and then tell you to fix it. They will check everything out to see if it is up to code and if it is then everything is fine. If they find