What happened?

On September 28, 2024, Governor Newsom signed SB 1350, which expands Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) protections to include household domestic workers.

Quick Summary:

• The law extends occupational safety and health protections to household domestic workers, ensuring they receive the same protections as other workers starting July 1, 2025.

What are the details?

1. Covered Employees: Starting on July 1, 2025,domestic workers performing household tasks on a permanent or temporary basis will fall under the Cal/OSHA standards.

2. Expanded Definitions: the law amends Section 6303 of the Labor Code to redefine “employment” to include household domestic service, which was previously excluded. This expansion aims to address the vulnerabilities and health risks domestic workers face.

3. Protections for Domestic Workers: The law ensures that domestic workers, including those involved in high-risk tasks like cleaning up fire-damaged structures or working at heights, receive the same occupational safety and health protections as other workers.

4. Exclusions: The law does not apply to:

• Domestic service workers are directly employed by private individuals in their residences to perform ordinary domestic household tasks such as housecleaning, cooking, and caregiving.
• Workers employed under publicly funded programs.
• Employment in family daycare homes.

5. Reporting Unsafe Conditions: Workers covered by this regulation can file complaints about unsafe working conditions through California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA).

• Cal/OSHA will ensure that workplace safety standards are met and will publish specific guidelines on protective measures and safety protocols, including permitted chemicals and necessary protective equipment.

Business Considerations

• Employers should review and update their current safety protocols to ensure they align with Cal/OSHA standards by the July 1, 2025, effective date.

• Employers should train domestic workers on the new safety standards, including the use of protective equipment and safe handling of permitted chemicals.

• Employers should establish clear procedures for workers to report unsafe working conditions and address these reports promptly.

Source References

• CA SB 1350

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