California's Division of Occupational Safety (Cal/OSHA) and Health doesn't think condoms are enough protection for porn models. It has drafted a proposal to include mandatory use of goggles during sex scenes in porn films.

 

News of the plan came when a 21-page draft of new policies for the government agency was leaked. It would allow Cal/OSHA to more aggressively police the industry outside of any state-wide condom law, under the auspices of an employee's right to a safe work environment.

 

The updates to the organization's policies were started several years ago and based, in part, on a letter submitted by Michael Weinstein, executive director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). AHF was successful in passing a voter supported bylaw in LA County making condoms mandatory on porn sets. He has always argued, however, the Cal/OSHA could be doing more throughout the state to protect workers using existing laws and regulations.

 

‘These are regulations designed for medical settings, and are unworkable on an adult film set – or even a Hollywood film set,' said Diane Duke, the CEO of the Free Speech coalition. She, and others, have warned that the industry will be forced to move to other states.

 

The panel which created the 21-page draft seem to disagree that a massive exodus of porn studios will occur. “The regulated community has a unique legal status nationally, resulting in no states suitable to the relocation of the industry,” it concluded. “Certain portions of the regulated community have threatened to leave the state; however, this is unlikely because the regulated conduct is illegal in every state except New Hampshire.”

 

California's Standards Board will now review the drafted policies and determine is any changes are required. A law making condoms a requirement for all porn shoots is still being pushed for by the AHF.

 

Goggles does seem to be pushing this whole debate into the realm of the absurd. What next: hazmat suits?

 

Adult film performers, regulators clash over safety standards on porn sets [LA Daily News]