OSHA & Cal/OSHA Overview for Producers
What is OSHA and Cal/OSHA?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards across the U.S. In California, workplace safety is also regulated by Cal/OSHA, a state-run program with stricter standards than federal OSHA. If operations take place in California, Cal/OSHA rules apply.
Clients, producers, and studio managers are considered “controlling employers” and are responsible for ensuring that talent, crew, and vendors work in a safe environment.
Why are OSHA and Cal/OSHA standards important?
Production environments can be high-risk workplaces with multiple safety hazards, such as lighting rigs, environmental exposure, and heavy equipment. Regardless of project size, producers, studio managers, and clients are legally responsible for identifying and addressing safety hazards under OSHA and Cal/OSHA regulations.
Requirements for different production environments:
If the client owns and manages the studio: The client and management are fully responsible for compliance with all Cal/OSHA and OSHA requirements, including maintaining the IIPP, posting required notices, conducting hazard assessments, and providing any necessary PPE.
If the studio space for your shoots is rented: You share responsibility with the property owner. While the studio may cover general facility safety (e.g., fire exits, building maintenance), as the client or producer in charge, you are still responsible for your production's on-set safety, including training, equipment, and daily briefings.
If the shoot is at a location away from the usual workplace, including outdoor locations: The client and/or producer are entirely responsible for establishing a safe working environment. This includes location-specific risk assessments, emergency planning, providing water/shade (Cal/OSHA), and ensuring that all crew are briefed on hazards unique to the environment (e.g., terrain, wildlife, heat exposure).
Key responsibilities for producers and clients:
Maintain a written safety program.
All producers and clients must maintain a safety plan. In California, Cal/OSHA requires a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), which includes:
A designated Safety Coordinator or Department Lead
Regular hazard assessments
Systems for anonymous hazard reporting and correction
Daily safety briefings, especially before high-risk work
OOTB has an IIPP that is shared with employees and can be shared with clients/producers for use and reference. OOTB can also provide an IIPP template that clients/producers can review and customize to address all safety concerns.
Report serious incidents immediately.
Both OSHA and Cal/OSHA require employers to report serious incidents. The notification requirements depend on the severity of the incident.
Please note: If an OOTB employee experiences a reportable incident, OOTB will report it to OSHA or Cal/OSHA and coordinate with our workers’ compensation carrier. We will request the support and cooperation of anyone who witnessed the incident to ensure we provide the appropriate support to our team.
Fatality: You are required to report a fatality within 8 hours of the incident to the Cal/OSHA district office or OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA. You must also submit a written report to your workers’ compensation carrier.
Inpatient hospitalization, amputation, loss of an eye: You are required to report an inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye within 24 hours to the Cal/OSHA district office or OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA. You must also submit a written report to your workers’ compensation carrier.
Incidents that are NOT reportable to OSHA or Cal/OSHA: While these incidents may require internal documentation or workers' compensation reports, they do not need to be reported to OSHA or Cal/OSHA:
Minor first aid (bandages, ice packs, over-the-counter medication)
Emergency room visits without admission
Diagnostic testing only (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
Stitches or staples (unless also hospitalized)
Sprains, strains, or minor cuts
Fainting or dizziness (if not hospitalized)
Fractures or broken bones that do not result in inpatient hospitalization
COVID-19 infections
Conduct and document daily safety briefings.
Before work begins—especially when stunts, FX, aerials, water scenes, or electrical work are involved—you must hold a “tailgate safety meeting.” This is a short safety briefing in which you:
Review hazards that are specific to that day’s work, as well as the related precautions that the team will be taking.
Document meeting attendance (e.g., call sheet, sign-in).
Post mandatory safety notices on-site.
Required by OSHA and Cal/OSHA:
IIPP access location. This should be included in your IIPP plan.
Required by state law:
Workers’ Compensation Coverage Notice
Please note: OOTB provides employees with the required safety notices via our employee portal.
Common hazards and related responsibilities:
Electrical Equipment
Examples: Lighting, power distribution boxes, stingers, etc.
Ensure grounding
Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
Work with licensed electricians
Falls
Examples: Falls from elevated sets, ladders, rooftops, etc.
Require fall protection
Inspect all gear and equipment
Heavy Equipment
Examples: Lifts, cranes, boom arms, etc.
Equipment operators must be trained and authorized
Chemicals
Examples: Fog fluids, cleaning agents, paint, etc.
Maintain safety data sheets
Provide necessary PPE
Provide necessary training
Fire
Examples: Open flames, smoke effects, etc.
Obtain fire marshal sign-off
Provide access to fire extinguishers
Heat (if working outside)
Examples: Outdoor shoots, grip work in the sun, etc.
Cal/OSHA requires that workers be provided with shade, water, and rest breaks.