The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently reminded employers of domestic workers that California’s workplace safety and health laws — enforced by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) — apply to them starting July 1, 2025. Previously, employers of domestic workers, such as housecleaners, caregivers and gardeners, were excluded from workplace safety laws.
Businesses that employ domestic service workers — on a temporary or permanent basis — will now be treated as employers under California’s workplace safety laws, which requires but is not limited to:
- Establishing, implementing and maintaining an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), which is a comprehensive worksite-specific plan to keep the workforce free from work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Conducting workplace inspections to identify, evaluate and correct safety hazards that may be dangerous to employees.
- Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
- Making sure employees have, use and properly maintain safe tools and equipment.
- Training employees on the IIPP at the time you implement the IIPP, make changes to the plan, assign an employee to a new or different position or make changes to workplace conditions.
- Following workplace safety recordkeeping and recording requirements, including reporting serious workplace injuries or fatalities to Cal/OSHA.
Examples of business that will be covered as of July 1, 2025, include housecleaning companies and homecare agencies.
The DIR clarified that these requirements generally don’t apply to private households. According to the DIR, “[i]n most cases, individual homeowners or renters who directly hire workers to perform typical household tasks, such as housecleaning, cooking, caregiving, or routine gardening, are not considered employers under the law and may be excluded from these requirements.”
The DIR created a Domestic Service Worker Guide and Resources webpage with additional information. The site contains frequently asked questions about the law and fact sheets for employers, employees and homeowners. On July 10 and July 24, Cal/OSHA is hosting information sessions for employers to discuss the change in the law, Cal/OSHA regulatory responsibilities, IIPP obligations, and compliance steps and resources.
Covered employers should review Cal/OSHA’s resources and consult with their legal counsel to help ensure they comply with the law.
James W. Ward, J.D., Employment Law Subject Matter Expert/Legal Writer and Editor, CalChamber
CalChamber members can read more about Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (IIPP) in the HR Library. Not a member? See how CalChamber can help you.
