California's Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has accepted the ENG safety requirements drafted by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA). The board drafted the regulations earlier this year. Among the regulations suggested were that a spotlight or similar type of light be included on all ENG trucks with elevating antennas, so personnel can spot potential hazards; that all ENG vehicles with elevating masts, dishes, antennas, or similar pieces of equipment be posted with durable, permanent warning signs; that safety training be conducted at least once a year for all personnel employed in electronic news gathering operations; and that periodic inspections of ENG vehicles be conducted every quarter.

For more information on the draft regulations see: www.dir.ca.gov/OSHSB/electronicnewsgathering0.htm.