Research, Standards, and Technical Services (RSTS) Branch
R&S Occupational Health and Occupational Safety Unit
The Research and Standards (R&S) Occupational Health Unit and Occupational Safety Unit are responsible under Labor Code sections 50.7, 147, 147.1, and 6450-6457 for the following:
Occupational Health and Safety Standards
- Developing occupational health and safety standards in collaboration with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
(Labor Code sections 142.3-142.7, 147, and 147.1), ensuring that California's standards are at least as effective as federal OSHA's standards
(Labor Code section 50.7; US Code, title 29, section 667).
See Steps to Develop an Occupational Health Standard - Proposing new or revised standards based on research and knowledge concerning new hazards, improved methods to protect workers, or recent developments in case law (Labor Code sections 144.5 and 147.1).
- Assisting and supporting other programs in Cal/OSHA in the interpretation and application of existing occupational health and safety standards.
Permanent and Temporary Variances
- Evaluating applications for a permanent variance from an occupational safety or health standard to determine whether the employer's proposed method will provide equal or superior safety for employees (Labor Code sections 143 and 147).
- Issuing temporary variances from an occupational safety or health standard if the employer needs additional time to come into compliance with a new regulation or proposes to participate in an experiment to demonstrate or validate new and improved techniques to safeguard the health and safety of employees (Labor Code sections 6450-6457).
Occupational Safety Determinations and Certifications
- Determining whether installation and maintenance of exterior building maintenance equipment, including window-washing equipment, comply with applicable safety standards (Labor Code sections 7325-7332; Title 8 regulations, sections 3281-3299).
- Certifying persons as qualified to inspect and test building surface maintenance equipment, including scaffolds (Title 8 regulations, sections 3282(p)(1)(C)2 and 3296(b)).
- Certifying protective covers for reinforcing steel bars (rebar) and other similar projections to prevent impalement (Title 8 regulations, sections 344.90, 1505, and 1712).
- Certifying gasoline vapor control systems used in service stations after evaluating safety hazards other than a fire hazard (Health and Safety Code sections 41950-41962).
Contact:
You can add your email address to the Research and Standards mailing list by visiting DIR Email Notices and checking the box labeled "DOSH Research and Standards Stakeholders."
Occupational Health and Safety Standards
- To submit a petition for a new or revised health or safety standard, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB).
- To advise on the development of an occupational health or safety standard, attend an OSHSB advisory meeting or a Cal/OSHA advisory meeting. OSHSB staff, Cal/OSHA R&S staff, and staff from other Cal/OSHA units are listed as contact persons for these meetings.
Permanent, Temporary and Experimental Variances
- To apply for a permanent variance, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
To apply for a temporary variance, contact:
Chief's Office
Cal/OSHA Headquarters
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1901
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 286-7000- Experimental Variance from California Code of Regulations, Title 8
Occupational Safety Determinations, Licenses, and Certifications
- For exterior building maintenance equipment compliance determinations in southern California, licenses to inspect and test building surface maintenance equipment in southern California, rebar protective cover certifications, and gasoline vapor control systems certifications:
Email:agupta@dir.ca.govPhone:(714) 567-7142
- For exterior building maintenance equipment compliance determinations in northern California and licenses to inspect and test building surface maintenance equipment in northern California:
Email:sprice@dir.ca.govPhone:(510) 286-7000
Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit
The Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit registers asbestos contractors, certifies asbestos consultants and technicians, approves asbestos training courses, and handles required notifications by employers regarding carcinogen use and release incidents.
Crane Unit
The Crane Unit licenses crane and derrick certifiers, issues permits to erect and operate tower cranes, and handles required notifications from crane and derrick certifiers.
Data Research
Data Research conducts applied statistical analysis and data integration to support occupational safety and health decision-making. The unit manages and analyzes multi-source datasets to identify trends in workplace injuries, fatalities, and high-risk conditions across industries and populations. It develops descriptive and analytical products to support policy development and regulatory evaluation, and provides foundational data infrastructure for advanced modeling, surveillance, and reporting activities for Cal/OSHA.
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI)
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) produces comprehensive, accurate, and timely counts of California fatal work injuries for the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. To compile counts that are as complete as possible, the census uses multiple sources to identify, verify, and profile fatal worker injuries. Information about each workplace fatal injury—occupation and other worker characteristics, equipment involved, and circumstances of the event—is obtained by cross-referencing the source records, such as death certificates, workers' compensation reports, and Federal and State agency administrative reports.
Educational Program and Technical Services (EPTS) Unit
The Educational Program and Technical Service (EPTS) Unit is Cal/OSHA’s main center for staff training, health and safety resources for the public, and field equipment.
The unit includes three teams:
- Training and Education Team: Provides specialized health and safety training for Cal/OSHA employees.
- Publications Team: Creates and distributes easy-to-use health and safety guides and resources for the public.
- Calibration and Inventory Control (CALICO) Laboratory: Manages and calibrates technical testing equipment.
Together, we give Cal/OSHA staff, employers, and workers the training and tools needed to ensure safe and healthful workplaces in California.
Medical Unit
The Medical Unit provides expert medical consultation to Cal/OSHA Enforcement, Consultation, and Research and Standards staff throughout the state. Medical Unit staff can also provide service directly to the public. Medical physician residents and nursing school students can perform clinical rotations at Cal/OSHA by working closely with the Medical Unit.
July 2026