10 SELF-INSURANCE PLANS

This program regulates workers' compensation self-insurance plans by ensuring that each self insured employer and group of employers that is issued a certificate of consent to self-insure meets the statutory requirements to self insure and is able to provide workers' compensation benefits to employees.

20 MEDIATION/CONCILIATION

This program promotes sound labor relations between unions and employers in order to protect the economy of the state. This program protects the economy by preventing or minimizing work stoppages and interruptions of business or public services.

30 WORKERS' COMPENSATION

The Division of Workers' Compensation monitors administration of workers' compensation claims, attempts to minimize disputes through information and assistance outreach to employers and injured workers, and provides administrative and judicial services to resolve disputes that arise in connection with claims for workers' compensation benefits. The Division conducts audits of workers' compensation claims administrators to ensure compliance with the benefit delivery system required by the Labor Code, and authorizes payment of workers' compensation benefits to injured workers from the Uninsured Employers Benefit Trust Fund and the Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust Fund. The Division attempts to promote the practice of early and sustained return to work of injured employees with limited reimbursements from the Return to Work Fund. The Division also administers a workers' compensation information system designed to provide information to policymakers regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of the benefit delivery system.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reviews petitions for reconsideration of decisions issued by the workers' compensation judges of the Division of Workers' Compensation, participates in appellate proceedings as necessary or when requested by the court, and regulates the workers' compensation adjudication process.

36 COMMISSION ON HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION

The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation is responsible for: (1) issuing an annual report on the state of the workers' compensation system, including recommendations for administrative or legislative modifications which would improve the operation of the system; (2) conducting specified surveys and evaluations required by law; and (3) conducting continuing examination of the workers' compensation system and the state's activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational diseases, including making recommendations on how to improve the worker's compensation and health and safety program; (4) administration of the worker safety and health training and education program.

40 DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

The objectives of this program include the promotion and enforcement of measures to protect the health and safety of workers on the job and to ensure the safe operation of elevators, amusement rides, aerial passenger tramways, and pressure vessels for the benefit of the general public. These objectives are accomplished by the coordinated efforts of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, and the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board.

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH or Cal/OSHA) enforces occupational safety and health standards, investigates the causes of occupational deaths and injuries, and helps employers to maintain safe and healthful working conditions.

DOSH also conducts inspections of and issues permits to operate elevators and other "conveyances", amusement rides, aerial passenger tramways, and pressure vessels. The inspection and permitting process is the primary method used to enforce standards governing the safe operation of these devices.

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Standards Board) is an independent body consisting of 7 members appointed by the Governor. The composition of the Standards Board is as follows: one member from the general public, two members from the field of management, two members from the field of labor, one member from the field of occupational health, and one member from the field of occupational safety. It is the sole agency in the state empowered to adopt, amend, or repeal the occupational safety and health standards and public safety standards enforced by DOSH.

The Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board (Cal/OSHA Appeals Board) is an independent judicial body empowered by state law to resolve employer appeals of citations and accompanying monetary civil penalties issued by DOSH for violations of occupational safety and health standards. It is comprised of three members appointed by the Governor, consisting of one member from the general public, one member from the field of management, and one member from the field of labor.

50 DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT

The objectives of this program include: (1) the enforcement and interpretation of Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders and sections of the Labor Code which relate to wages, hours of work, and conditions of employment, including anti-discrimination laws relating to employees engaged in protected activities; (2) the determination and collection of unpaid wages; (3) the licensing of farm labor contractors, industrial homework firms, talent agencies, the registration of garment manufacturers, the certification of studio teachers, the registration of car washing and polishing businesses, and the registration of entities and individuals using minors in door-to-door sales; (4) field enforcement of laws governing public works, workers' compensation insurance, child labor, unlicensed contractors, oversight of rules governing meals and rest period, the payment of overtime and minimum wage, the licensing of specific industries, and the cash payment of wages without required deductions; and (5) in partnership with state and federal agencies, vigorous and targeted enforcement against unscrupulous businesses participating in the "underground economy".

60 DIVISION OF APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS

The objectives of this program are to promote, develop, and expand on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs and to provide consultation services to program sponsors. The Division's goal is to match the needs of workers with those of employers, and to strengthen the apprenticeship alliance among industry, labor, education and government for recruiting workers and teaching the skills they and their employers need.

The Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) administers the apprenticeship system including program approvals to ensure that contractors are in compliance with labor laws relating to apprentices working on public works projects. DAS also manages the Electrician Certification Program that tests for the minimum standards for competency and training for electricians in California.

The California Apprenticeship Council issues regulations to carry out the intent of the state apprenticeship law and sets the general policy under which this program operates.

70 DIVISION OF LABOR STATISTICS AND RESEARCH

The program objectives are to measure the effectiveness of accident and illness prevention efforts in the workplace, provide accurate information pertaining to industrial relations from an impartial source on short notice, and to guide legislative and administrative decisions by state and local government. The prevailing wage program objectives are to determine and publish the prevailing wage rates for public works projects.

80 CLAIMS, WAGES, AND CONTINGENCIES

The objectives of this program are to pay claims, wages, or contingency benefits, and to provide for payment of workers' compensation benefits to employees whose illegally uninsured employers have failed to make benefit payments required under the Labor Code.

The Labor Code establishes special accounts in which the Labor Commissioner deposits a portion of each Farm Labor Contractor's, Garment Manufacturer's, and Car Wash Operator's annual license fee. Funds from these accounts are to be disbursed for any wages to employees which exceed the limits of a licensee's bond or time certificate.

94 ADMINISTRATION

The objective of this program is to provide assistance to each program within the Department, to enable the programs to accomplish statutory mandates in an effective and efficient manner, through the services provided by the Accounting, Budget, Business Management, Information Systems and Personnel units.