Changes to the Definitions of Serious Injury and Illness and Reporting to Cal/OSHA (AB 1804 and 1805) Frequently Asked Questions

Assembly Bills 1804 and 1805, recently signed into law, change the definition of serious injuries and illnesses and how these incidents can be reported to Cal/OSHA. Both go into effect on January 1, 2020.

  1. What did Assembly Bills 1804 and 1805 change?

    • AB 1804 amends California Labor Code, section 6409.1 by changing the methods employers can use to report work-related serious injuries, illnesses, and deaths to Cal/OSHA.
    • AB 1805 amends California Labor Code, section 6302 by changing the definitions of serious injury and illness, and serious exposure; and
    • AB 1805 also amends California Labor Code, section 6309 to change the definition of serious violation for purposes of determining whether complaints filed with Cal/OSHA are deemed to allege serious violations.

  2. How have the definitions of serious injury, illness, and exposure changed with regard to immediate reporting to Cal/OSHA?

    With regard to reporting to Cal/OSHA, a serious injury or illness is now defined as one involving

    • inpatient hospitalization, regardless of length of time, for other than medical observation or diagnostic testing;
    • amputation;
    • loss of an eye; or
    • serious degree of permanent disfigurement.

    Accidents that result in serious injury or illness, or death that occur in a construction zone on a public street or highway are now included by statute. Work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths caused by the commission of a Penal Code violation are no longer excluded from the definition of "serious injury or illness".

    A serious exposure is now defined as an exposure to a hazardous substance that occurs as a result of an incident, accident, emergency, or exposure over time and is in a degree or amount sufficient to create a realistic possibility that death or serious physical harm in the future could result from the actual hazard created by the exposure.

  3. What changed about the ways that employers can report serious injuries and illnesses and fatalities to Cal/OSHA?

    Prior to the enactment of AB 1804, employers could report serious injuries and illnesses and fatalities to Cal/OSHA by telephone or email. AB 1804 allows employers to continue to make such reports by telephone or through a specified online mechanism that Cal/OSHA will establish for reporting. Until Cal/OSHA creates the online reporting mechanism, employers may continue to make reports by telephone or email. Employers are always encouraged to immediately report serious injuries and illnesses and fatalities by telephone to the nearest enforcement district office.

  4. When will the online method be available?

    Check Cal/OSHA's important updates page or subscribe to an email notification list to be alerted when online reporting is available.

  5. How has Cal/OSHA's definition of a serious violation changed with regard to complaints?

    With regard to conditions alleged in a complaint, Cal/OSHA's definition of a serious violation is one where there is a realistic possibility that death or serious physical harm could result from the actual hazard created by the condition alleged in the complaint.

  6. Question 6: Which Labor Code sections have changed?

    Labor Code sections 6302, 6309, and 6409.1.

  7. Which California Code of Regulations, title 8 sections will need to be changed?

    Sections 330(h) and 342(a).

  8. Where can I read the bills and corresponding regulations?

    * Cal/OSHA will update California Code of Regulations, title 8, sections 330(h) and 342(a) to reflect these Labor Code changes.

March 2020