CA AB694

Requires the Department of Industrial Relations to contract with UC Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program and UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program to study understaffing and vacancies within the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA)

California currently has a ratio of 1 Compliance Safety and Health Officer per 120,102 workers, compared to 1:26,000 in Washington and 1:24,000 in Oregon, with a 42.5% vacancy rate in the enforcement division as of November 2024

The study must analyze causes of vacancies, recommend workforce development strategies including apprenticeship and training programs, and identify ways to diversify candidates with linguistic and cultural competencies matching California's workforce

An advisory committee of 15-17 members representing state agencies, labor unions, community organizations, academic institutions, and employers must convene to guide the study and provide recommendations

The completed report must be posted on the division's website and submitted to the Governor and legislative committees within 18 months of contract execution, contingent upon legislative appropriation