Cal/OSHA and the Adult Film Industry
In 2004, there were several new cases of HIV among workers
in the Southern California adult film industry. This exposed the potentially
dangerous hazards of the employees in this industry. Since then, officials have
been working with the adult film industry to ensure workers know their rights
and employers are compliant with state regulation.
Under the California Health and Safety Act, the adult film
industry is required to create a healthy work environment for its employees.
Some of these provisions include an injury and illness prevention program,
employee training, bloodborne pathogen transmission reduction, sanitation, and
electrical safety.
Within the adult film industry, employees are at greatest
risk for bloodborne pathogens and other STIs. Prevention methods are closely
aligned with those of universal precautions, which treat all bodily fluids as
hazardous. Engineering practices were established to protect the employees.
Examples include simulation of sexual acts with fake bodily fluid, ejaculation
outside of the body, use of barriers (condoms), readily available sharps
containers, and plastic sheets for easy set clean-up. Personal protective
equipment must also be provided to further protect the employees (condoms,
dental dams, gloves, and eye shields). Notably, producers are not required to
show these barrier methods or other engineering practices in the final version
of the movie. Another prevention measure includes vaccinating all employees who
may be exposed to bodily fluids with the Hepatitis B vaccine.
Additionally, all employers must have a written exposure
control plan and policies to prevent disease transmission. If exposure to
bodily fluids does occur, employers must provide medical evaluation and any
necessary treatment to the exposed individual. Furthermore, if a worker tests
positive for a bloodborne pathogen, the employer must notify all exposed
contacts. This can be done anonymously.
Lastly, many workers in the adult film industry are
categorized as independent contract workers. The provisions of the California
Health and Safety Act applies to independent contract workers and full-time
employees alike.
Complaints against the adult film industry can also be
filed confidentially at 714-558-4300
Reference
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/adultfilmindustry.html
Hi, Elena
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting to read your post. HIV in the adult film industry sounds very tragic. I never connected this issue to the occupational health issue, but impressed by your idea. It is definately problem in occupational health and very serious issue as well. It is not healthy at all if the employees have a risk of having HIV. They should have personal protect equipement like in the hospital like you suggested. All your suggestion are great to protect them.
Hello Elena,
ReplyDeleteSex-workers are an interesting topic as an occupational hazard. Certainly, those in the adult film industry are at greater risk for STD's than the greater population. In terms of HIV infection, I would be curious how often the use of PREP and PEP abounds among those in the adult film industry. Overall, despite being informed of any hazards, receiving vaccinations, or any other preventative measures, these workers would still remain at high risk for STD infection.