The governing board for California’s workplace safety regulator, known as Cal/OSHA, is considering new rules on sliding gates to prevent them from falling on workers.
The proposal would require $50 safety devices, proper balancing and covered wheels. The new chair of Cal/OSHA’s governing board, Joseph Alioto, put his support behind the petition after the death of a child at a school playground inspired him to take action. That incident also spurred a bill in the Assembly with similar requirements, though it stalled in committee.
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The child’s father, Eric Quanbeck, estimates 47 workers in California have lost their lives in recent years due to falling gates.
Michael Miiller, speaking for the California Association of Winegrape Growers as well as the Wine Institute, applauded Alioto for establishing a stakeholder committee to advise the regulations.
