Occupational safety and health: Valley Fever.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 provides the Division of Occupational Safety and Health within the Department of Industrial Relations with the power, jurisdiction, and supervision over all employment and places of employment necessary to enforce and administer all occupational health and safety laws and standards and to protect employees. The act establishes various safety provisions applicable to certain construction activities. A violation of the act under specific circumstances is a crime. This bill would require construction employers engaging in specified work activities or vehicle operation in counties where Valley Fever is highly endemic, as defined, to provide effective awareness training on Valley Fever to all employees annually and before an employee begins work that is reasonably anticipated to cause substantial dust disturbance. The bill would require the training to cover specific topics and would authorize the training to be included in the employer's injury and illness prevention program training or as a standalone training program. The bill would provide that the training is not required during the first year that the county is listed as highly endemic, but would be required in subsequent years. By expanding the definition of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.