New acting Cal/OSHA chief replaces Widess

Oakland, CA – California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has a new acting chief in the wake of Ellen Widess’ resignation.

Juliann Sum has been appointed acting Cal/OSHA chief, according to a Sept. 4 press release from the California Department of Industrial Relations. Cal/OSHA, an OSHA State Plan, is a division of the department.

Since May 2012, Sum had served as a special advisory to Department of Industrial Relations Director Christine Baker. She also was a project director at UC Berkeley’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, and a consulting attorney and industrial hygienist with the Labor Occupational Health Program.

Widess was appointed as Cal/OSHA chief in April 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown (D). She will now serve as a special advisor to Baker, according to the press release.