FSC, Adult Industry Stakeholders Will Attend CalOSHA Meeting
by Sue Denim
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.
Sue Denim is a freelance journalist specializing in sexuality and the adult entertainment industry.
