Governor Rebuts Criticism Over Worker Safety

Gov. George Deukmejian on Tuesday defended his Administration’s enforcement of safety standards in the workplace, saying that despite criticism to the contrary and a federal investigation into the state’s handling of complaints, “for the most part, our record is very good.”

Deukmejian said during a Capitol news conference that budget cuts and vacancies in the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration have not impaired the state’s ability to protect workers.

“Certainly our intent and our commitment is that we want to make sure our workplaces are safe,” Deukmejian said.

The governor was responding to the disclosure that officials of the U.S. Labor Department have been examining an estimated 140 California cases as the result of allegations that Cal-OSHA failed to protect “whistle-blowers” who speak out about health and safety violations on the job.

In approximately 22 of those cases, the state reportedly had upheld workers’ claims that they were harassed or unjustly fired but either delayed or took no action to protect the employees.

Deukmejian is scheduled to meet today with U.S. Undersecretary of Labor Ford B. Ford where the investigation is to be discussed.

Results of the probe are not expected to be released until next month. But some federal labor officials already have suggested privately that there are flaws in the state’s enforcement program.

Deukmejian said that if the investigation turns up evidence that his Administration has mishandled the cases, he will take immediate action.

Promises Corrections

“If it is true that our state agency has not been fully protective of individuals who make complaints, we will correct the procedures that are being followed and are not providing that kind of protection,” Deukmejian said.

One report published in the San Francisco Chronicle charges that industrial injuries and illnesses have increased in California since Deukmejian took office. The report said Deukmejian has attempted to cut Cal-OSHA’s budget and trim positions.

The governor discounted that report.

“If you look at the facts, you’ll see in California the rate of illnesses and injuries suffered by employees in this state is far below what it is on a national average,” he said.

Erosion of Strength

He also denied that the strength of the state’s enforcement effort has eroded during his Administration.

“We in our state have not changed the number of individuals involved in our field enforcement efforts, which are still following the same policies . . . that were in effect before we came to office,” Deukmejian said.

A study of the governor’s proposed 1985-86 budget by state Legislative Analyst William G. Hamm criticized Cal-OSHA vacancy rates, noting that vacancy rates for some classifications of safety engineers runs as high as 40%.

Asked about that Tuesday, Deukmejian said, “I don’t know what the reason might be that there continues to be vacancies. We continue to maintain that we have adequate resources.”