Cal/OSHA Cited Contractor for Serious Violations Following Inspections, Second State Agency to Cite the Contractor this Year
LOS ANGELES — The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), has issued multiple citations for serious violations of health and safety regulations against a Bay Area janitorial contractor, AG Maintenance.
In February, after an investigation conducted by the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, janitorial workers, with the aid of Worksafe and Centro Legal de la Raza, filed complaints with the state agency after workers were exposed to harsh chemicals without proper training, personal protective equipment or emergency protocol. The citations, issued at the end of August, total more than $42,000 and cover one office building. Centro Legal de la Raza also filed individual retaliation and wage theft complaints on behalf of workers against this employer.
“The violations at AG underscore the problems in the janitorial industry. Too many people working as janitors are denied even basic workplace protections. These companies often operate underground but above the law, with no accountability. These citations are significant because they expose a disregard for workers’ safety and the laws meant to regulate the industry. The citations are a warning to other irresponsible contractors who operate their businesses at the expense of workers,” said Karín Umfrey, a staff attorney at Worksafe.
Cal/OSHA found that AG Maintenance, a janitorial company contracted to clean several large Bay Area office buildings including pharmaceutical labs, failed to provide workers with eyewash stations, eye protection, gloves and proper instruction about how to use harsh disinfectants designed to kill the flu.
Karina Armas Moreno, who worked cleaning offices in Emeryville for AG Maintenance, spoke out about the unsafe working conditions to keep herself and her coworkers safe.
“I worked with AG Maintenance for 5 years, during that time I was mistreated in a variety of ways. I was not given the appropriate equipment and supplies to do my job. The cleaning equipment we used was old and unsafe. I severely injured my arm because I was being overworked and was denied time off. I am speaking up to let other workers know that you have rights and are allowed to speak up against injustice,” Armas Moreno said.
Additionally in March, Alberto Godoy was cited for $10,000 for violating California law. Godoy along with Tres Inc., which owns properties in Richmond, Calif. and other locations in California, and Ruben Godoy, were cited a total of $32,100 in registration violations.
A provision of the Property Service Workers Protection Act that took effect on July 1, 2018 requires companies providing janitorial services annually register with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Registration requires that janitorial services meet certain conditions. Janitorial services that fail to register are subject to fines. Under California labor code, subcontractors are also held accountable for registry violations.
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The MCTF is a California statewide watchdog organization whose mission is to abolish illegal and unfair business practices in the janitorial industry. The MCTF investigates allegations of employment law violations and partners with local, state, and federal enforcement agencies to hold unscrupulous contractors accountable.