LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Distributed on behalf of Dr. Klausner by AHF:
On May 21, 2015 the Cal/OSHA Standards Board held a public hearing to address safety and health in the adult film industry. Currently, Cal/OSHA regulates adult film sets under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard, known as Section 5193. However, the adult film industry has argued that Section 5193 is too broad for adult films. Therefore, the Division proposed Section 5193.1, an amendment to the current standard, to specifically add the word ‘condoms’ as an approved barrier method in adult films.
Unfortunately, as a result of incorrect information put out by the adult film industry, many news articles claim that proposed Section 5193.1 additionally requires goggles during the production of adult films. However, the new language does not include the word ‘goggles’ anywhere. Only the current standard, Section 5193, cites goggles as a type of personal protective equipment because the language covers all type of industry workers in California. If anything, proposed Section 5193.1 demonstrates Cal/OSHA’s willingness to update existing regulations to specifically address safety and health in an industry as unique as adult films.
Case reports and research studies have documented ocular and oral STDs, including gonorrhea and chlamydia, as a result of bodily fluid exposure. This is why Cal/OSHA requires adult film performers to avoid ejaculation in the eyes and mouth. Luckily, there are many ways to reduce STD exposures without the use of goggles, such as avoiding direct exposure to the eyes and mouth or using imitation ejaculate such as methyl cellulose. Both methods are commonly utilized in adult films.
Proposed Section 5193.1 is not about efforts to eliminate the adult film industry through the implementation of impossible regulations. It is about creating reasonable standards to protect workers in an industry that seriously violates safety and health regulations. There is nothing new in the proposed language that wasn't previously included in the existing and longstanding regulations other than the word ‘condoms.’
Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine and
Public Health, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Former, Medical Officer and Branch Chief
US Centers for Disease
Prevention and Control
Former, Deputy Health Officer and Section Director, STD Prevention
San
Francisco Department of Public Health