Statement on Proposed Cal/OSHA Fine Against Third Rock Enterprises

Cal/OSHA today release a proposed fine against Third Rock Enterprises, in the amount of $77,875 for potential violations, including failure to use a condom. While the number may look eye-catching, it should be viewed critically.

While we can't speak to the particulars of this case, the fine only a preliminary assessment, which is often quite different than any final number. Nor does the fine necessarily relate to an actual danger on-set, or threat to performers. In fact, upon closer inspection in similar cases, Cal/OSHA has deemed failure to use a condom to be a "not serious" violation, with fines in the hundreds of dollars.

It is also worth noting that this complaint was filed not by any performers or any person on set, but by the controversial, morals-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which merely watched the film to look for a condom. Like most of AHF's actions, this complaint should be viewed politically. AHF is currently pushing a mandatory condom law California that would allow private citizens like them file lawsuits against performers who don't use condoms — and to profit from the lawsuits. AHF's repeated Cal/OSHA campaigns have less to do with performer health and more to do with the policing of performer's bodies, and the censorship of adult films. It's an outrage and a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars.