Two adult film companies fined for allowing unprotected sex on movie set

Friday, September 17th 2004, 10:28 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ California officials fined two adult film companies more than $30,000 each for allowing actors to perform without using condoms, the first time the state has taken such action.

The fines against Evasive Angles and TTB Productions follow an investigation into a complaint filed by a porn industry worker. The companies have 15 days to appeal the decision Wednesday by the state Division of Occupational Health and Safety.

Susan Gard, agency spokeswoman, said the companies violated California law when actors performed sex scenes without using condoms. She said state law requires employers to protect workers who are exposed to blood or bodily fluids on the job.

``Any bodily fluid is considered infectious,'' she said. ``That means barrier equipment must be used.''

Four actors were diagnosed earlier this year with HIV, prompting state officials to say they would investigate whether state laws were being followed. Officials at Evasive Angles and TTB Productions could not immediately be reached for comment; calls to them went unanswered early Friday.

The companies were also cited for not notifying authorities about actors who contracted HIV on the job, officials said.

It is a widely held belief among adult film producers that condom use hurts profits because customers would rather see unprotected sex. However, some large adult film production companies require actors to use condoms.