California Homes Could Open Doors to Workplace Safety Inspectors

California households may have to allow inspections by the state’s workplace safety agency under a bill nearing final approval by the legislature in Sacramento.

The measure (SB 686) would bring domestic workers such as housekeepers, nannies, and home health aides under the protection of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA.

That new protection means households employing domestic workers would need to ensure that their residences meet Cal/OSHA safety and health standards, rules primarily written for commercial businesses.

In cases where workers complained to Cal/OSHA about hazardous conditions or were injured, or became sick, ...