AHF to File New OSHA Petition on Condoms in Porn

OAKLAND, Calif.—On the heels of today's Cal/OSHA vote against adoption of an amendment to OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standards that was widely opposed by adult industry professionals, AIDS Healthcare Foundation announced late Thursday it would file a new petition to OSHA regarding condoms in porn. The proposed regulations known as § 5193.1 that were voted down today would have mandated barrier protection such as condoms, goggles and dental dams for adult film productions shot in California. An older portion of the California Health Code has mandated barrier protections for hospital workers and others in similar situations, which could include the adult industry, but the industry has generally not followed that section of the code, and Cal/OSHA has generally not enforced it.  Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation which has been campaigning for the adoption of the new rules, said in a statement, “We are disappointed that the Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board failed to complete this years-long process, an action today that would have resulted in improved worker safety for adult film workers in California, but thank them for their work on this over the past six years."  Weinstein continued, “To be clear, condom use in adult film production in California—one of only two states in which adult film production is legal—already is required under California’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard. We are announcing today that we will immediately file a new petition with Ca/OSHA on this important health measure.” For a recap of today's large adult industry turnout at the Cal/OSHA hearing in Oakland, click here.