Celebrating 50 Years of LOHP: Pioneering Workplace Safety and Health Innovations

Celebrating 50 Years of Workplace Safety with LOHP

The Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley has been a champion for worker safety for half a century.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• Feb 26, 2025

This week, the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) at UC Berkeley School of Public Health marked its 50th anniversary. This milestone highlights its long-standing commitment to improving the health and safety of workers across various industries, especially for those who are often overlooked.

One noteworthy achievement is the advancement of protections for domestic workers in California. For years, these workers, including nannies and house cleaners, lacked essential safety protections. That changed in 2021 when a new law was enacted to establish recommendations and guidelines aimed at safeguarding their rights and well-being. LOHP took the lead in developing the first safety guidelines for domestic workers, bringing together stakeholders from multiple sectors.

In 2024, further progress was made when Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill extending health and safety protections to over 175,000 domestic workers employed by agencies. LOHP’s involvement was crucial, as it helped educate workers about their rights. “Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are preventable, and understanding how these injuries happen is the first step,” noted Kimberly Alvarenga, director of the California Domestic Workers Coalition.

As LOHP celebrates its 50-year legacy, it continues to focus on fostering safe and equitable workplaces. By collaborating with unions, community groups, and policymakers, LOHP addresses various workplace hazards, such as ergonomic risks and climate-related challenges. The program also provides multilingual resources and training, empowering workers to take charge of their safety.

LOHP’s efforts aren’t limited to domestic labor. Supported by the California Department of Public Health, the program has trained workers in warehouses and transportation industries on critical health standards. It also developed education programs on labor rights for high school students and has examined health risks in food processing facilities.

Despite these strides, challenges remain. Compliance with safety regulations varies widely across companies. While some businesses prioritize health and safety, others blatantly disregard the laws. “We see a mix: some employers excel at maintaining standards while others are serious violators,” said LOHP Director Suzanne Teran.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness of how workplace conditions affect entire communities. As LOHP continues its training initiatives, its mission stays the same—protecting workers and ensuring safer workplaces for everyone.