A Cal/OSHA board for setting safety and heath standards was set to approve an indoor heat illness rule on Thursday, but the Department of Finance on Wednesday evening pulled the proposal. It cited additional economic impacts to the public sector that needed further analysis.
The board, dominated by members from labor interests, was incensed by the Newsom administration’s decision. Board chair Dave Thomas called it “just bullshit.” Labor protesters briefly shut down the hearing and Thomas shouted at them to “shut up—you stop this shit right now,” and he adjourned the hearing.
He then reopened the hearing and chastised DOF, sharing details of a phone call he had with administration officials the night before. He said the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was behind the decision, opposing it over compliance costs.
Despite the administration’s rejection, the board proceeded to vote on it and vowed to hold an emergency hearing by the end of the month if it needed to vote again to meet a regulatory deadline.
Labor groups shared the frustration. Lorena Gonzalez, who leads the powerful California Labor Federation, called the DOF move outrageous and shameful.
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DOF is under pressure to immediately cut spending across agencies as the governor and Legislature finalize emergency budget actions. Gov. Newsom has already taken heat from influential environmental groups for not proposing any funding for implementing major climate legislation he signed last year.
In a statement to Agri-Pulse, Michael Miiller of the California Association of Winegrape Growers called the chaotic meeting concerning. He said the board thumbed its nose at complying with laws on administrative procedures and open meetings.
Miiller added that the seven-year delay on the regulation was “bureaucratic nonsense.” He reasoned that the board could have passed an indoor heat regulation years ago if it focused on the most exposed workers. Instead it took a broad approach, drafting a regulation that included vineyard employees already covered by the outdoor heat illness standard.
Bryan Little of the California Farm Bureau was not surprised about pushback over fiscal concerns. He had been pressing the board for months to clarify how the regulation could apply to three-sided packing sheds and air-conditioned trucks.
