CAL/OSHA VS Federal OSHA

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A common question I receive from people who live outside of California: “What are the differences between CAL/SOAH and Federal OSHA requirements?”  All most people hear is that CAL/OSHA is more strict than Federal OSHA.  While this may be the case in some areas, it is certainly NOT the case in others (ex. CAL/OSHA trigger height for fall protection is 7.5’ VS 6’ for Fed OSHA).  I have outlined below the major differences in the two programs for a quick reference.  This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Things that CA has which do not exist in Federal OSHA:

  1. All employers must have a written Injury and Illness Program (IIPP)
  2. Permits are required for the construction of buildings 36’ or higher.
  3. Annual permits are required for excavation work.
  4. Heat Illness Prevention Program
  5. Wildfire Smoke Standard
  6. Construction Personnel Hoists required for buildings 60’ or taller
  7. Window washing tie-downs for exterior building maintenance on buildings 36’ tall or higher
  8. Handwashing facilities are required even it there is no plumbing.
  9. CA has an ergonomics standard.
  10. CAL/OSHA must inspect tower cranes and construction personnel hoists prior to their use.

Things in CA that have different rules than Federal OSHA

  1. Fall protection rules with different trigger heights than Federal OSHA’s 6’ rule.
    • Wood framing = 15’
    • Roofing = 20’General tie-off or guardrails required at 7.5’
    • CAL/OSHA recognizes 6’ from the edge for all trades.
  2. Guardrails have a minimum toprail height of 42” VS 39”.
  3. Scaffold tipping restraint is at a 3:1 ratio instead of a 4:1 ratio.  Fall protection for scaffolds is at 7.5’ instead of 10’.
  4. 20” is a minimum width for a scaffold or ramp.
  5. 75’ travel distance to nearest fire extinguisher VS 100’
  6. Scaffolds at the perimeter are recognized as a form of fall protection – 2’ maximum below the edge, no further than 16” from the building edge and a 2” x 6” toeboard.
  7. CAL/OSHA allows for masons’ “jump boards” to be used on top of a scaffold and toeboards are only required where persons pass underneath the platform to access the building.
  8. Some PELs for certain chemicals will be different in CA.
  9. CAL/OSHA has different citation classifications: “General”, “Serious Accident Related”, and others the Fed OSHA does not use.
  10. Stilts are outlawed in CA.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks!

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