FSC, AHF Petitions Weighed Prior to Cal/OSHA Meeting

FSC, AHF Petitions Weighed Prior to Cal/OSHA Meeting

SACRAMENTO — Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board released findings this week on two petitions that sought to alter § 5193, which prescribes protections against bloodborne pathogens for California porn shoots.

Earlier this year, the Free Speech Coalition’s Eric Paul Leue and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Michael Weinstein filed distinctive and diverging petitions with state regulators to address the safety and health of workers in the adult film industry.

The Standards Board on Tuesday, in regards to both petitions (Nos. 557 and 560), said that it would grant convening an advisory committee, “with stakeholder involvement inclusive of AHF, FSC and a diverse cross section of the adult film industry to consider amending or expanding [§ 5193] to specifically address risks of employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens and STDs in the adult film industry.”

In the proposed decision and order, the Standards Board also said that it doesn’t have the option of adopting a standard less effective in protecting adult entertainment workers than the federal standard of using barrier controls like condoms.

In its findings, Standards Board staff noted that the “concept of universal precautions is integral to protecting employees from harmful exposures to bloodborne pathogens. With latency periods for sexually transmitted infections, even the industry’s intense STD testing protocol is not as protective of employee health as observing universal precautions.”

The FSC in its petition said that it requested regulation that left other means that do not require the use of barrier protection and left options for protection and prevention through testing protocols and medical advances.

Michael Stabile, the FSC’s communications director, told XBIZ that “neither of the proposed petition decisions made any new pronouncements.”

“[The Standards Board] merely reiterated that they would be evaluating the petitions in respect to existing bloodborne pathogen standards,” Stabile said. “It's now up to us to prove that our protocols surpass those standards.”

However, Rick Taylor, a consultant for the AHF-backed Prop 60 porn-condom campaign in California, said the new findings by the Standards Board back his group’s position — that barrier controls should be mandated.

“The porn industry is asking health experts to kill the condom use rule,” he said. “But cooler heads and science prevailed and California’s top experts on worker safety reaffirmed that condoms are the gold standard for protecting performers.”

Both petitions will be discussed at the next meeting of the Standards Board slated for Thursday, Aug. 18, in Walnut Creek, Calif.

Stabile of the FSC said that “it's absolutely important for stakeholders to attend the meeting.”

“We are looking forward to the hearings, since they will mark the first time that adult performers have been granted a real voice in the regulations that affect their lives and health — something that was insisted upon by the Standards Board in February, when more than 100 adult performers showed up to protest Cal/OSHA's condoms-and-goggles regulation,” Stabile said.

The next Cal/OSHA Standards Board meeting is slated Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. at the Walnut Creek City Council Chambers at 1666 N. Main St. in Walnut Creek, CA 94596.


 

View Cal/OSHA proposed decision

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Legendary Director Paul Thomas Passes Away at 76

Legendary adult filmmaker Paul Thomas has passed away after spending most of his life in the porn business. He was 76.

Aylo, Pineapple Support Partner for Mental Health Video Series

Aylo has teamed up with Pineapple Support to create a safety video series aimed at educating performers and creators about mental health.

Pure Taboo Debuts Seth Gamble Thriller 'Father's Day'

Coco Lovelock stars with Dick Chibbles in the latest thriller from Pure Taboo, titled “Father’s Day.”

Ofcom Investigates FTV Sites for Possible AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom is investigating First Time Videos, which operates the sites FTVGirls.com and FTVMilfs.com, for possible failure to comply with age assurance requirements under the Online Safety Act.

Ricky's Room Signs Baby Gemini to 1-Year Deal

Ricky’s Room has signed Baby Gemini to a non-exclusive, multi-scene contract for one year.

Angela White, Payton Preslee Topline Latest From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White and Payton Preslee star with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “Sharing The Ultimate Pleasure.”

Penny Barber Leads Latest From MYLF

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Ken Feels in the latest release from MYLF, titled "50 Shades of Milf."

Yhivi Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Yhivi stars with Alex Jones in the latest Brazzers scene, “Yhivi By Alex.”

Cherry Kiss Leads Latest From Hentaied Network

Cherry Kiss stars in the latest crossover scene from Hentaied studios Futanari XXX and Parasited, titled “The Futa Parasite Part 2.”

Rachael Cavalli Stars in Latest 'Mommy's Boy' From Adult Time

Rachael Cavalli stars with Tyler Cruise in the latest episode of Adult Time series “Mommy’s Boy,” titled “Can’t Stop Thinking About It.”

Show More