Bloodborne Pathogens Violation?

This case raises a number of interesting issue not anticipated when the bloodborne pathogens standard was being developed. Now there's a push for additional regulations

The new push for government regulation of the San Fernando Valley-based adult film industry comes as dozens of production companies shut down after two adult film stars tested positive last week for the virus that causes AIDS.

"I think we need to look at what we can do to have some basic level of safety," Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke said.

The two recent cases are the first in the industry since one was detected in 1999, following seven cases in 1998, said Sharon Mitchell, founder of The Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation in Sherman Oaks. The foundation tests about 1,200 workers a month.

Mitchell said that 30 to 50 percent of workers already use condoms but, if the government made it mandatory for the rest, it could backfire, creating a more dangerous public health problem.

"The reality of this population all using condoms is a wonderful dream," Mitchell said. "These people are going to work, they get paid more money for not using condoms and they will go and shoot underground. If they are running and scattered, they won't come in to get tested."

CalOSHA is being asked to investigate the outbreak and recommend measures the government can take to ensure the industry practices safe sex.

Should make for some interesting inspections.