SB 1350 Cal/OSHA Protections Expand to Domestic Workers

Cal/OSHA regulates employee safety at places of employment. Historically, household domestic services were excluded from the definition of a “place of employment” and therefore Cal/OSHA’s jurisdiction. SB 1350 removes this exemption.

Advocacy groups estimate that this new legislation will protect the more than 175,000 domestic workers in the state who work for homecare, cleaning, or nanny agencies. It will also extend Cal/OSHA protections for high hazard domestic work, including cleanup of fire-damaged or water-damaged structures or vehicles, work at heights over six feet, work in excavations deeper than three feet, operation of dangerous machinery, or work that exposes an employee to highly hazardous substances including lead, paint strippers, drain cleaners, and regulated carcinogens.

Cal/OSHA now oversees household domestic services except:

• Household domestic service that is publicly funded, including publicly funded household domestic service provided to a recipient, client, or beneficiary with a share of the cost of that service,

• Employment in family daycare homes,

• Individuals who, in their own residences, privately employ persons to perform for the benefit of such individuals what are commonly regarded as ordinary domestic household tasks, including housecleaning, cooking, and caregiving.

SB 1350 expands that reach.  This new law takes effect July 1, 2025.