Refinery and chemical plants.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details on how employees with or without union representation participate, but it does mention that the bill provides for such participation.

Worker Safety Improvements for Refineries and Chemical Plants

This legislation requires employers in refineries and chemical plants to work with employees to create safety plans, report hazards, and stop dangerous work processes.

What This Bill Does

• Requires employers to develop a plan that lets workers take part in all process safety management activities.
• Asks employers to make sure there are procedures for stopping unsafe work and reporting dangers by April 1, 2027.
• Needs employers to keep records about shutting down operations or processes and reports of hazards.

Who It Names or Affects

• Employers at refineries and chemical plants
• Employees working at refineries and chemical plants

Terms To Know

Process Safety Management (PSM)

A system to prevent accidents involving dangerous chemicals or processes.

Limits and Unknowns

• It is unclear how this legislation will be enforced or if it will lead to better safety outcomes.
• The bill does not change the Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program's goals and objectives.

Official Summary Text

SB 966, as amended, Gonzalez.
Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program.
Refinery and chemical plants.
Existing law, the California Refinery and Chemical Plant Worker Safety Act of 1990, requires the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to promote worker safety through implementation of training and process safety management practices in refineries, chemical plants, and other appropriate facilities, including by adopting process safety management standards and regulations. The act defines “process safety management” and other terms for its purposes. The act also requires an employer to develop and maintain written safety information, emergency action plans, operating procedures, procedures to manage changes, and inspection and testing programs.
This bill would require an employer, in consultation with employees and employee representatives, to develop, implement, and
maintain a written plan to effectively provide for employee participation in all process safety management elements. The bill would also require, on or before April 1, 2027, an employer, in consultation with employee and employee representatives, to develop and implement stop work procedures and procedures for reporting and responding to hazards, as specified. The bill would require an employer to document specific information relating to a partial or complete shut down of an operation or process and reports of hazards. The bill would provide how employees who are and who are not represented by an authorized collective bargaining agent participate in the development of these plans and procedures.
Existing law establishes the Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program, administered by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, to provide grants for the purpose of providing funding for existing apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs or to develop new apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs to serve the target population of specified individuals from 16 to 24 years of age, inclusive, and satisfy the goals and objectives of the grant program, as specified.
This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to the provision establishing the goals and objectives of the grant program.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF