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California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health recently cited two adult-film production companies for failing to protect performers from potential disease exposure. Cal/OSHA cited Hustler Video for three violations: failure to provide condoms or other protective equipment, to maintain a written workplace injury and illness policy, and to provide workers with hepatitis vaccinations.The Hustler citations involved a Sept. 14 Cal/OSHA job site inspection, which was prompted by a complaint from the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation. AHF advocates condom use by performers during the filming of pornographic videos.
The $14,175 penalty levied against Hustler is based on the same state law that requires hospitals to protect workers against infections from blood and body fluids. Cal/OSHA also issued $12,150 in fines to Forsaken Pictures for violations similar to those alleged at Hustler.
While Cal/OSHA continually investigates the porn industry, job sites can be difficult to find for an inspection, said Deborah Gold, the agency's senior safety engineer.
"Clearly if an employee is having unprotected sexual contact with another person then there needs to be either engineering control, like simulation, or people need to use a condom or other barrier," Gold said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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