California Health Safety Board Votes Down Regulations On Porn Performers
Many in the industry turned out to ask the Division of Occupational Safety and Health's Standard Board to reject the safety measure that could require the actors to wear condoms, goggles, face shields and gloves.
The New York Times:
Actors In Pornographic Films Fight Proposal To Enforce Safety Regulations
The California pornographic film industry turned out in force Thursday to oppose regulations that would have forced actors to wear condoms and, in some cases, goggles, face shields or rubber gloves when on camera. A parade of actors took to the podium in a government auditorium here as five members of the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board listened to their pleas for more than five hours. The hearing ended with the board deciding to vote down the proposal as written, but to reconsider a revised version over the next year. (Fuller, 2/18)
The Associated Press:
Calif. Board Rejects Measure Specifying Condom Use In Porn
[Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s Standards Board] members appeared influenced by the large number of industry representatives, ranging from actors to writers to directors, who argued forcefully but politely during five hours of testimony. If the proposed regulations didn’t destroy their multibillion-dollar industry, they said, they would likely force it underground. Doing that, they added, could be even worse for performers by eliminating existing safeguards such as the industry’s requirement that actors be tested every 14 days for sexually transmitted diseases. “I ask you not to approve this policy that will endanger me and my colleagues,” said porn actress Maxine Holloway. (Rogers, 2/19)
