1988-149-Supporting Cal-OSHA InitiativeRESOLUTION NO. 1988 -149
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
SUPPORTING CAL -OSHA INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, Cal -OSHA, California's respected occupational safety and
health program which was eliminated last year, protected people from
perils Federal OSHA doesn't cover; and
WHEREAS, Cal -OSHA safeguards which were lost when Federal OSHA took
over protecting private sector workers included the power to act
immediately against "imminent hazards" at job sites; a permit process so
inspectors knew where and when to inspect potentially dangerous
construction sites; a ban on the infamous short - handled hoe for farm
workers; and the ability to respond to anonymous reports of violations;
and
WHEREAS, during the first six months after Federal OSHA took over from
Cal -OSHA there was a 93 percent decline in inspections of injury
accidents; and
WHEREAS, since community exposure to toxics often begins with
hazardous conditions at work, Cal -OSHA made dramatic advances over Federal
OSHA in controlling cancer- causing materials in the air and water; and
WHEREAS, California's occupational cancer law, enforced only by
California, is much more comprehensive than the Federal standards,
Cal -OSHA regulated 170 toxic substances which are ignored by Federal OSHA,
and we had stricter regulation of 97 other dangerous chemicals than our
Federal counterpart; and
WHEREAS, Cal -OSHA cost only $6.8 million a year out of a total State
budget of over $42 billion, yet business will pay many times that in
higher costs for worker compensation insurance rates while taxpayers will
be hit with higher welfare and Medical bills for injured workers and their
families; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition to Restore Safety at Work, a coalition of
labor, business, civic, health, environmental, education, and consumer
groups, gathered more than 703,000 voter signatures to place an initiative
on the State -wide November ballot restoring Cal -OSHA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the the Town of Los Gatos Town
Council endorses the Cal -OSHA Initiative and urges the people of the Town
of Los Gatos to help restore safety at work by voting for and supporting
this critical measure; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy of this
resolution be forwarded to the Coalition to Restore Safety at Work, 1 700 L
Street, Sacramento, Ca 95814.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the
Town of Los Gatos, California, held on the 18 day of July
1988 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Thomas J Ferrito Robert L. Hamilton
Brent N. Ventura and Vice -Mayor Joanne Benjamin
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Eric D. Carlson
SIGNED: 00a-'XLQ 1 _
VI - AYOR OF THE OWN OF OS GATOS
ATTEST:
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE TOWN OF L% GATOS
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