UPDATE- NL- Nope it’s not today, it’s NEXT Thursday. So I’d like to hear more about it if anyone has info. I found another story on Ynot that is posted below this one…
NL- This was/is supposedly happening today. Anyone go? Shelley did you attend? I’d like to hear about the meeting.
Condoms May Get Supporting Role in Porn Shot in California
By Matt Coker of http://blogs.ocweekly.com/
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is poised Thursday to convene a panel to consider amending state law to require condom use in adult film production.
That’s the recommendation of bureaucrats being pressured by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
"The adult film industry has steadfastly refused to take any steps to protect its workers from diseases spread by blood borne pathogens, resulting in thousands of employees becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases. Clarification and enhanced enforcement of the rules are called for," writes Michael Weinstein, the Los Angeles-based foundation’s president, in his petition to Occupational Safety.
The foundation has been hawkish on the issue since a 2004 AIDS breakout in the LA porn industry.
Last summer, after learning an adult performer had tested positive for AIDS, the foundation sued LA County, claiming public health officials failed to prevent the spread of disease and protect workers. The lawsuit was dismissed, but the foundation has appealed.
Weinstein in December sent his request to Occupational Safety that it amend the California Code of Regulations to protect workers in the adult film industry.
The state must step in because the porn industry has failed to address the spread of AIDS, which has reached epidemic proportions, according to the petition.
The board’s staff agrees serious consideration should be given to Weinstein’s petition. However, because he does not represent anyone in the adult industry "and in view of the complexity of the issues," the staff is recommending the convening of an advisory committee to address the issue.
That committee can recommend to the board what changes need to be made to the labor code section and how those changes can be implemented, according to the staff.
This is being brought to the board’s attention now because, by state law, it had to respond to Weinstein’s petition within six months of receiving it.
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FSC, Adult Industry Stakeholders Will Attend CalOSHA Meeting
by Sue Denim of http://www.ynot.com
YNOT – Free Speech Coalition and adult industry stakeholders plan to be present at a March 18 meeting of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Standards (CalOSHA) board in order to represent the industry’s stand on the issue of requiring condoms be employed on all adult film sets. A petition currently stands before the board, requesting CalOSHA change current state regulations in order to require barrier protection and institute other workplace safety requirements within the adult entertainment industry.
According to published reports, CalOSHA staff and board members have recommended the formation of an advisory committee to consider amending current regulations. The action follows pressure from AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a global, mainstream HIV-AIDS advocacy organization that has been outspoken in its condemnation of current adult industry healthcare and testing protocols. AHF maintains the adult industry is under-regulated.
Last week, protesters from AHF picketed outside Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) in order to bring attention to their demands. In December, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejected AHF’s request for a court order demanding mandatory use of condoms on adult production sets.
“This is a workplace safety issue,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “AHF has no presence in the industry, and therefore is not a stakeholder. Stakeholders include performers, producers and individuals who work on or around production sets. As is appropriate, Free Speech Coalition [the adult entertainment industry’s trade association] continues to work with industry stakeholders to reduce risk and provide a safe working environment.
“Unfortunately, in what seems to be a witch hunt, the folks at AHF have garnered a great deal of attention in the dissemination of misinformation and untruths,” Duke continued. “We look forward to being the voice of reason at this upcoming hearing.”
Duke said FSC hopes to address current CalOSHA compliance regulations for adult productions either at the meeting or with the advisory committee, should one be created. Current compliance regulations are based on clinical protocols, she noted, and the medical science behind them is sound.
“The meeting will provide the adult industry an opportunity to address our concerns with a [proposed] blood-borne pathogen plan that was not designed to address adult entertainment industry issues,” Duke said.
The March 18 CalOSHA board meeting will occur in Costa Mesa, Calif.