Here is an article that appeared in the January 8, 2010 issue of the "Cal-OSHA Reporter."  Sorry I couldn't provide a link, but there is no on-line edition, it is delivered by e-mail in PDF format to subscribers only.  Cal-OSHA stands for the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the state agency responsible for creating and enforcing workplace safety regulations.

Health Group Petitions Cal-OSHA for Adult Film Performer Protections

Los Angeles' AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has petitioned the Cal-OSHA Standards Board to do what the group has not been able to do through the legislative process-force adult-film production companies to protect workers from sexually transmitted dieases.

The petition seeks to add language to California's bloodborne pathogens standard, General Industry Safety Order 5193, specifically addressing adult-film production.  "AHF is filing this petition due to the inaction of the adult film industry producers to comply with current Cal-OSHA regulations to take necessary steps to protect performers by providing and enforcing the use of condoms during filming" said president Michael Weinstein.

In fact, AHF says, the industry has "steadfastly refused" to take any steps to protect performers from bloodborne pathogens, "resulting in thousands of employees becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases," according to the petition.  "Clarification and enhanced enforcement of the rules are called for."

AHF notes Los Angeles County Department of Public Health statistics that document more than 2000 cases of chlamydia and 965 cases of gonorrhea among adult film performers between 2003 and 2007.  Some performers suffer multiple infections in the course of one year, according to AHF.

The petition seeks to add new definitions to 5193 for "adult film" and "sexually transmitted disease," and adds a new section (i) with specific requirments for adult-film production.  It would require such employers to maintain engineering and work practice controls "sufficient to protect employees from exposure to blood and/or any potentally infectious materials."  The controls would include:
-Simulating sex acts using acting, production and postproduction techniques.
-Ejaculation outside workers' bodies.
-Provision of and required use of condoms whenever acts of vaginal and anal sex are filmed, plus provision of condom-safe lubricants.
-Plastic and other disposible materials to clean up sets.

Employers would be required to maintain an exposure control plan per 5193(c), minus the sharps injury log.  They also would be explicitly required to comply with subsection (f) on pre-exposure provision of hepatitis B vaccine to employees and section (g)(2) on training.

Finally, the petition seeks a requirement for employers to provide postexposure prophylactic treatment of HIV for any workers exposed to blood or potentially infectious materials, comprehensive testing for other sexually transmitted diseases "and appropriate treatment for any subsequently diagnosed" diseases.