Cal/OSHA recently cited adult film producer Kink.com with proposed penalties of $146,600 to for 13 violations of safety laws that exposed workers to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
Responding to a complaint, Cal/OSHA inspected Kink.com facilities in San Francisco in November of 2015.
Investigators found the employer did not require performers to use condoms during production of at least five films, in violation of California’s bloodborne pathogens standard.
“The use of barrier protections, such as condoms, is required during adult film production,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “Cal/OSHA will continue to enforce California’s health and safety regulations, which exist to protect workers from job-related harm.”
The two condom-related violations are classified as willful serious, and carry the largest penalties. A willful violation is cited when evidence shows the employer either knowingly violated the law or took no reasonable steps to address a known hazard. Serious violations are cited when there is a realistic possibility that death or serious physical harm could result from the actual hazard created by the violation.
Cal/OSHA also cited Kink.com for 11 general safety violations. These violations included failure to guard the blades of a table saw on the premises and failure to ensure first aid materials on site were in usable condition.
Not the First Time Employer Has Been Cited
This is the second time within the last five years that Kink.com, also known as Cybernet Entertainment, has been cited for failing to provide adult film performers with condoms and require their use during production.
Cal/OSHA previously inspected Kink.com facilities in August 2013, and subsequently issued three serious citations, as well as three general and five regulatory violations. Two of the three serious citations were for condom violations. Kink.com appealed these citations, which were then upheld by an Administrative Law Judge of the Occupational Safety & Health Appeals Board.
Workers in the adult film industry should know current laws protect them from injury and illness on the job, and where to go for help if their employer doesn’t follow those laws.
Author Kori Shafer-Stack, Editor, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in post-injury response procedures and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: kstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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