California Workplace Safety Requirements (2026)

California doesn’t follow Federal OSHA. It runs its own state OSHA program called Cal/OSHA, operated by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) under the Department of Industrial Relations. Cal/OSHA standards are frequently stricter than federal requirements, and California has regulations that don’t exist at the federal level.

If you work in California, you need to know Cal/OSHA rules. Federal OSHA doesn’t apply here.

Cal/OSHA: What Makes California Different

Cal/OSHA covers all private sector workers and state/local government employees in California. Here’s where it goes beyond federal OSHA:

Heat Illness Prevention (Title 8, Section 3395) California was the first state to adopt a specific heat illness prevention standard. Employers must provide water, shade, and rest breaks when temperatures exceed 80°F. At 95°F, additional high-heat procedures kick in. No equivalent federal standard exists (though OSHA has proposed one).

Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) California requires every employer to have a written IIPP. This is California’s version of a safety program, and it’s mandatory. The IIPP must include hazard identification, employee training, recordkeeping, and procedures for correcting hazards. Many other states don’t have this requirement.

Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) California has a specific standard for workplaces where employees may be exposed to aerosol transmissible diseases (healthcare, labs, corrections). This goes well beyond federal bloodborne pathogen requirements.

Wildfire Smoke Protection California requires employers to protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke when the AQI for PM2.5 reaches 151 or higher. This is unique to California.

Lead in Construction Cal/OSHA’s lead in construction standard has lower permissible exposure limits and more stringent medical surveillance requirements than the federal standard.

Training Requirements

California has several training mandates that don’t exist in many other states:

IIPP Training Every employee must receive safety training when first hired, when new hazards are introduced, and when the employer becomes aware of a new or previously unrecognized hazard.

Heat Illness Prevention Training Required for all outdoor workers and supervisors before they begin outdoor work.

Hazard Communication Similar to federal GHS requirements, but California also maintains Proposition 65 chemical lists that require additional employee notification.

Construction-Specific:

• Fall protection training for anyone working at heights
• Scaffold training for users and erectors
• Confined space training following Cal/OSHA’s permit-required confined space standard
• Trenching and excavation competent person training

While California doesn’t specifically mandate OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards by state law, many general contractors and project owners in California require them as a condition of site access. The OSHA 30 Construction card is strongly recommended for anyone working in California construction.

Key Industries

California’s size and diverse economy create safety demand across nearly every industry:

• Construction The largest construction market in the U.S. Major commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects throughout the state. Heavy demand for safety officers and managers.
• Agriculture One of the largest agricultural states. Heat illness, pesticide exposure, and equipment hazards drive safety needs.
• Oil and gas Significant production in the Central Valley and offshore. HAZWOPER and process safety management expertise in demand.
• Technology / Manufacturing Semiconductor fabrication, battery manufacturing, and clean energy production create specialized EHS needs.
• Entertainment Film, television, and live events have unique safety requirements including stunt coordination, pyrotechnics, and set construction.
• Ports and logistics Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach are the busiest in the U.S. Maritime safety, warehouse safety, and transportation hazards.

Safety Professional Salary in California

California is one of the top three highest-paying states for safety professionals.

Level	Salary Range
Entry-level	$60,000 - $72,000
Mid-career	$75,000 - $95,000
Experienced	$95,000 - $120,000
Senior / Director	$120,000 - $160,000+

Mean annual salary: $94,100 (BLS OEWS, SOC 29-9011).

The Los Angeles metro area leads the nation at $113,820. The San Francisco Bay Area also exceeds $100,000.

Keep in mind that California’s high cost of living and state income tax (up to 13.3%) reduce take-home pay significantly compared to states like Texas. See Safety Salary by State for cost-of-living comparisons.

State Licensing and Certifications

California requires state-specific licensing for several hazard categories:

Asbestos Contractors must be certified by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) with a C-22 (Asbestos Abatement) classification. Workers need EPA-accredited training.

Lead Lead-related construction work requires certification through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Crane Operators California has a certification requirement through Cal/OSHA for crane operators, separate from the federal rule.

Pest Control / Fumigation The Department of Pesticide Regulation requires specific licensing for pest control operators and fumigators.

Enforcement

Cal/OSHA is known for aggressive enforcement. California inspectors can issue citations with penalties up to $25,000 for serious violations (higher than the federal maximum). Willful violations can reach $156,259 per violation.

California also has a unique “Serious Violation” classification that sets a higher bar than federal OSHA’s definition. Cal/OSHA can issue enterprise-wide citations, meaning a violation found at one location can result in corrections required at all the employer’s California locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does California follow Federal OSHA? No. California operates Cal/OSHA, its own state OSHA plan. Cal/OSHA standards must be at least as effective as federal OSHA but are often stricter. Federal OSHA does not have jurisdiction over private sector workplaces in California.

Do I need OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 in California? California doesn’t mandate OSHA cards by state law. However, most large general contractors and project owners require OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 as a condition of site access. It’s considered standard for anyone working in California construction.

What is the IIPP requirement? Every California employer must have a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). It’s the foundation of California’s approach to workplace safety. The IIPP must include a system for identifying hazards, methods for correcting them, employee training, and recordkeeping. It’s one of the first things Cal/OSHA inspectors ask for.

Is California a good state for safety careers? Yes. California has the largest construction market in the U.S., strong environmental regulations, and high demand for safety professionals. Salaries are among the highest nationally. The trade-off is a high cost of living, especially in the Bay Area and LA metro.