SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today appointed Juliann Sum as Chief of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), building on her more than 30 years working to improve occupational safety and health throughout the state, most recently as acting chief of Cal/OSHA.

“I am grateful for the opportunity as division chief to maintain and enhance safe workplaces and practices for workers and employers in California,” Sum said upon being sworn into office. “We will continue to consistently enforce Cal/OSHA standards, develop new standards based on scientific data and practical experience, and collaborate with labor and management organizations.”

In 2014, Sum established a hiring task force to facilitate filling Cal/OSHA vacancies and enabling senior staff at the division to mentor new hires before retiring. She has also strengthened the training of field staff and managers, providing them with core classes in accident investigation, citation writing, case review and legal appeals.

“Cal/OSHA has made great strides under Juliann’s leadership,” said California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary David Lanier. “She has helped strengthen workplace safety laws, improved communication throughout the division, and has secured additional resources for the division through her steadfast advocacy.”

During her tenure as acting chief, Sum also initiated successful efforts to encourage more immediate correction of workplace safety hazards. Last month she led the division’s effort to finalize and publish specific guidance to protect workers in healthcare settings from exposure to the Ebola virus and other infectious diseases.

“Juliann has been a tireless advocate for safety in California’s workplaces,” said Christine Baker, director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). “As chief she will continue to focus on strengthening Cal/OSHA’s enforcement, compliance, outreach and education efforts.” Cal/OSHA is a division of DIR.

Sum joined DIR in 2012 as special advisor to Director Baker. She was designated acting chief in September 2013. Previously, Sum served from 1994 to 2012 as project director with the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment at UC Berkeley, and attorney and industrial hygienist with the Labor Occupational Health Program.

Her extensive experience also includes work as an associate attorney with the Environmental Law Foundation, Litigation Associate with Carroll, Burdick & McDonough, and as industrial hygienist and business representative with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245.

Sum earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Hastings College of the Law, a Master of Science degree in environmental health sciences from the Harvard School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science degree in biophysics from Brown University.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers who want to learn more about California workplace health and safety standards or labor law violations can access information on DIR’s website.

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. Non-media inquiries can 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.

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