AB 2774 became law in California on Jan. 1, 2011. It’s one of the most important pieces of occupational safety and health legislation since Cal/OSHA came into existence.
What does AB 2774 do? It provides the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) with a series of steps that must be completed to establish a serious violation. And if the steps are followed, employers will face major fines that are more likely to stick—and stick without reduction.
This isn’t an additional hurdle for DOSH to surmount. In fact, the law was essentially written by DOSH to make it easier for serious violations to be upheld if they’re appealed.
What will be the impact of AB 2774? We could see an increase in the number of citations for serious violations, as well as a reduction in the number of successful appeals of these citations.
So what’s an employer to do?
First, you must understand your rights and responsibilities and provide the best safety environment possible. Next, you need to find out exactly what the new law proposes and how it could impact your business.
You should be familiar with the major AB 2774 points and understand:
- What AB 2774 is and what it really means for employers.
- The major provisions of the law and how they could change the way you do business.
- Why safety planning becomes even more important with AB2774.
- The problems that AB 2774 is supposed to resolve.
- How employer safety requirements will change and could even be enforced differently.
- How to defend yourself before you’re cited.
- How improperly structured IIPPs (Injury and Illness Prevention Programs) can hurt you and how to ensure yours are structured correctly.