SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), has submitted a legislatively-mandated status report on DIR and Cal/OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) Regulatory Oversight. The report is required pursuant to the Budget Act of 2014 (Provisions 1 and 2 of item 7350-001-3121, Chapter 25, Statutes of 2014).

“This report gives a description of appropriate funding allotted to our PSM Unit, which has allowed us to design and implement a new approach for regulating the petroleum refining industry,” said Christine Baker, DIR Director.

A new assessment on the state’s oil refineries, implemented by DIR in 2013, requires refineries to provide funding support to DIR for Cal/OSHA’s PSM refinery program. The funds, which are independent of the state’s General Fund, have allowed DIR to expand the PSM staff from 10 positions in 2012 to 26 positions and supported eleven weeks of advanced technical training for the refinery inspectors.

“Our new approach deploys a larger team of skilled professionals who conduct in-depth refinery inspections with the ultimate goal of preventing workplace accidents, explosions and other unplanned events that could affect workers and the surrounding community,” said PSM Statewide Manager and Policy Advisor Clyde Trombettas.

Cal/OSHA’s PSM Unit is responsible for inspecting refineries and chemical plants that handle large quantities of toxic and flammable materials. Health and safety standards enforced by the PSM Unit, including adequate employee training, are intended to prevent catastrophic explosions, fires, and releases of dangerous chemicals.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Program provides free and voluntary assistance to employers and employee organizations to improve their health and safety programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from the Cal/OSHA Consultation Program.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may call the California Workers’ Information Hotline at (866) 924-9757 for recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA District Offices.

For media inquiries contact Erika Monterroza at (510) 286-1164 or Peter Melton at (510) 286-7046.

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For non-media inquiries, contact DIR’s Communications Call Center at 1-844-LABOR-DIR (1-844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.