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HomeLabor CodeDiv. 1Ch. 6§ 144 Occupational Safety Enforcement Agreements

§ 144 Occupational Safety Enforcement Agreements

Labor Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 144 Occupational Safety Enforcement Agreements

This law says that other government groups can help enforce workplace safety rules, but only if they have a written agreement with the main safety department. It also says these groups can't take away the main safety department's power.

Key Takeaways

  • •Other government groups can help with workplace safety, but only with a written agreement.
  • •These groups can't take away the main safety department's power.
  • •If a helper group finds a big danger at work, they must tell the boss, the workers, and the main safety department right away.
  • •Local groups can still make stricter safety rules for their own workers.

Example

A local fire department wants to help check if factories are following safety rules.

The fire department must first sign a written agreement with the state's safety department. Even then, the state's safety department still has the final say on safety rules.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 144 Occupational Safety Enforcement Agreements

(a) The authority of any agency, department, division, bureau or any other political subdivision other than the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to assist in the administration or enforcement of any occupational safety or health standard, order, or rule adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be contained in a written agreement with the Department of Industrial Relations or an agency authorized by the department to enter into such agreement. (b) No such agreement shall deprive the Division of Occupational Safety and Health or other state agency to which authority has been delegated of any power or authority of the state agency. (c) Such an agreement may provide for the right of access of an authorized representative of the designated agency to enter any place of employment which is under the jurisdiction of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. (d) If any representative of an agency operating under such an agreement becomes aware of an imminent hazard, he shall notify the employer and affected employees of the hazard and immediately notify the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. (e) Nothing in this section shall affect or limit the authority of any state or local agency as to any matter other than the enforcement of occupational safety and health standards adopted by the board; however, nothing herein shall limit or reduce the authority of local agencies to adopt and enforce higher standards relating to occupational safety and health for their own employees. (Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 72.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

occupational safety and health standardwritten agreementDivision of Occupational Safety and Healthimminent hazard

Related Statutes

  • § 142 Division Enforces Safety Standards
  • § 142.7 Hazardous Substance Work Standards
  • § 144.5 Workplace Health Inspections Training
  • § 144.8 Antineoplastic Drug Safety Standards
  • § 147 Occupational Safety Standard Referral

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Labor Code. Section 144.
View Official Source