Understanding California’s Environmental Regulations: What Employers Need to Know

Protecting your business, your workers, and the environment — one regulation at a time.

 

📍 Why It Matters

California is known for having some of the most comprehensive environmental regulations in the U.S. — and for good reason. With frequent wildfires, air quality issues, and water shortages, the Golden State takes environmental protection seriously. But for employers, that can mean navigating a complex web of rules covering everything from hazardous waste to indoor air quality.

Failing to comply isn’t just a legal risk — it can also harm employees, the surrounding community, and your company’s reputation.

 

⚖️ Who Regulates What?

Let’s start by untangling the regulatory landscape. Several agencies oversee environmental health and workplace safety in California:

 

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🧪 5 Key Environmental Health Areas Employers Must Address

1. Hazardous Materials Handling

• Employers who generate, store, or dispose of chemicals must follow strict protocols.
  

• You may be required to submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) to your local CUPA (Certified Unified Program Agency).
  

• Fines can be steep for failure to label, store, or transport materials properly.
  
  

2. Stormwater & Wastewater Management

• Construction, industrial, and food service businesses must prevent runoff into public drains.
  

• Permits under the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) are required for many industries.
  

• Employees must be trained on spill prevention and cleanup.
  
  

3. Air Quality & Emissions

• Indoor air quality is regulated by Cal/OSHA, while CARB handles emissions from vehicles, equipment, and industrial processes.
  

• Employers should monitor for carbon monoxide, dust, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
  

• Ventilation systems and proper PPE are often required.
  

4. Solid & Electronic Waste

• Improper disposal of e-waste, batteries, and medical waste can lead to environmental contamination.
  

• California bans many items from landfills. Partner with certified waste haulers and recyclers.
  

5. Employee Exposure Risks

• Workers exposed to noise, fumes, chemicals, or particulate matter are protected under Cal/OSHA.
  

• Employers must conduct exposure assessments, provide training, and offer medical surveillance if thresholds are exceeded.
  

✅ What You Can Do Now

1. Conduct an Environmental Compliance Audit
    Identify risk areas in waste management, chemical storage, stormwater controls, and training.
   

2. Review Your Permits & Registrations
    Make sure you're up to date with HMBPs, stormwater permits, and hazardous waste IDs.
   

3. Train Your Team
    Employees should know how to store chemicals, report spills, and use PPE. DSG offers customizable training programs to help with this.
   

4. Document Everything
    Keep training logs, waste manifests, air quality reports, and inspection checklists on file.
   

5. Partner with Experts
    If you’re not sure where to start, consider a third-party audit or consultation with DSG’s environmental health team.
   

 

🌱 A Safer Workplace Starts with a Cleaner Planet

California’s environmental laws may be complex, but they’re also designed to protect the most valuable parts of your business: your people and your community. Compliance doesn’t just reduce risk — it builds trust, attracts talent, and keeps your operations sustainable.