LA County Kicks Off Public Health Week with Opening of Office of Worker Health

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Monday marked the start of National Public Health Week by opening a new office in the San Fernando Valley dedicated to the health of workers in high-risk industries.

County and city officials, labor groups and health advocates gathered at the Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center in Van Nuys for the opening of the Office of Worker Health and Safety, which has already started supporting workers impacted by wildfires and those at risk of silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease caused by exposure to silica dust.

“Words cannot express my excitement and gratitude to be standing here today among friends, allies and leaders to make it clear that we stand with working people in the wake of disasters, in the midst of attacks on our community, and we are committing to building infrastructure that is a reflection of what workers in this county need,” Office of Worker Health and Safety director Alice Berliner said.

The office is partnering with community-based organizations and academic experts to conduct outreach in burn areas and provide education on safety practices for cleanup workers, according to DPH officials.

Additionally, the office is focusing on stone fabrication workers by providing them information to prevent silicosis. Information about safety and compliance with Cal-OSHA regulations is provided to workers and businesses, along with education to consumers about purchasing alternatives. As of March 2025, 58% of California’s silicosis cases are in Los Angeles County, with 99% of cases occurring among Latino male workers, primarily in the San Fernando Valley, DPH data showed.

County officials highlighted that while the L.A. region is home to a diverse and dynamic workforce that contributes significantly to the nation’s economy — these workers face serious challenges. L.A. County workers experience some of the highest rates of occupational injuries and illnesses, wage theft and retaliation in the state, officials said.

In 2023, the county accounted for approximately 25% of all reported occupational injuries in California, the highest rate in the state.

“This new office builds on the success of the Public Health Councils, which launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, to assist workers work together to identify and address workplace hazards through training and education,” DPH Director Barbara Ferrer said.

The director also highlighted serious concerns as a result of the Trump Administration gutting funds for public health, worker safety and other categories.

Two weeks ago, the federal government notified county officials that more than $45 million in previously awarded grants — expected to last through July 2026 — were rescinded. Another sizable portion of federal funding for immunization and substance abuse prevention was also terminated mid-contract.

“A federal court granted a temporary restraining order late last week, which means funding for these programs can continue at least until our court hearing on April 16,” Ferrer said.

According to Ferrer, in the months ahead it will be an all-hands-on- deck situation to support the health of all residents in the county.

“One of the clearest lessons that we learned during the pandemic was the need to focus more effort on protecting workers,” Ferrer said, noting that Black and brown residents and low-income workers were up to four times more likely to die or be hospitalized from COVID-19, often due to unsafe workplace conditions.

“We should never let this happen again,” Ferrer added.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week. This year’s theme is “It Starts Here,” focusing on the role of systems, partnerships and coordinated efforts in advancing public health.