In a rare move, California regulators have fined two porn companies for failing to use condoms on their sets. If some groups have their way, such fines will become more common.
According to the AP, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) fined Larry Flynt’s Hustler video $14,175 for three infractions: failing to provide hepatitis C tests, not having a written policy for injury and illness, and not ensuring condom use. Another studio, Forsaken Pictures, was fined $12,150 for similar issues. The issue of condoms in straight porn (they’re standard in gay porn) has been in the spotlight since an actor tested positive for HIV last year, but condom use remains tough to enforce — according to the AP, “job sites can be difficult to find.” Some of the first fines for lack of condoms were levied in 2004, shocking the porn industry — said Sharon Mitchell, director of the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation, “This is a huge departure. This is really like dropping a bomb.” Since then, inspections and fines have become more widespread, but condom use is still by no means standard.