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California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board approves remote attendance, affirms minutes and issues multiple petition rulings
Summary
At its May 20, 2026 Zoom meeting, the California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board approved a remote-attendance request for a member, approved May 7 minutes, and issued several decisions on petitions for reconsideration (including multiple denials and two matters taken under submission). Staff also reported staffing updates and scheduled stakeholder outreach sessions.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board met May 20, 2026, by Zoom in Sacramento and approved a motion allowing Board member Marvin P. Kropke to attend upcoming June 3 and June 17 meetings remotely. The Board also approved the minutes of its May 7 meeting and completed a series of routine case and procedural actions.
The Board voted 3-0 to grant the remote-attendance request after Marvin P. Kropke moved the measure and Chairperson Ed Lowry seconded. The minutes for the May 7 meeting were approved on a 3-0 vote after a motion from Marvin Kropke and a second from Management Member Judith Freyman.
In the matters the Board formally resolved, it voted 3-0 to deny a Petition for Reconsideration filed by Direct Staffing LLC (matter no. 1853969); the motion was moved by Marvin Kropke and seconded by Judith Freyman. The Board voted 3-0 to deny the petition filed by Spalding Community Services District (1864915) on a motion by Ed Lowry, seconded by Marvin Kropke. The Board also denied the petition for Weaverville Gas (1859532) on a 3-0 vote (moved by Judith Freyman, seconded by Marvin Kropke).
The Board took the petition for reconsideration of Perry C. Thomas Construction, Inc. (1547223) under submission after a motion by Judith Freyman, seconded by Marvin Kropke (vote 3-0). Similarly, the petition for XL Concrete Masonry, LLC (1563307) was taken under submission following a motion by Marvin Kropke and a second from Judith Freyman (vote 3-0).
Chief Counsel Aaron Jackson briefed the Board on ongoing litigation matters, noting that the Board’s opposition brief in Waterproofing and Roofing Solutions, Inc. (1690885) is due next week, hearings are scheduled next Friday for Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring, Inc. (1420923) and The Geo Group (1609228), and the Employbridge Holdings Company hearing was moved to September 16, 2026. The Board also discussed a range of items pending reconsideration and provided an issues list intended to assist public research into those matters.
Executive Officer Scott Pease reported personnel updates: Amy N. Lara has been accepted as the Board’s Supervisor and began work the day of the meeting; a new attorney candidate is expected to start in mid-June; and HR received 670 applications for an Analyst position, with interviews being coordinated for an Administrative Law Judge vacancy.
Presiding Judges Kerry Lewis and Sam E. Lucas announced two stakeholder Zoom sessions to orient parties to the appeals process on June 26 at 11:00 a.m. and July 8 at 2:00 p.m. During public comment, members of the public expressed appreciation for the Presiding Administrative Law Judges hosting the upcoming classes.
The Board reviewed numerous Orders of Administrative Law Judges that implement settlements without hearings and discussed a number of dismissal orders and matters where leave to file a late appeal was denied. The closed session adjourned at 10:56 a.m.; the Board returned to the public meeting, incorporated its closed-session actions by reference, and adjourned the public meeting at 10:57 a.m.
