The discovery last week that two performers, one male and one female, are HIV-positive also could prompt the industry or government to consider mandating the use of condoms during filming, said Peter Kerndt, director of the sexually transmitted disease program for the Los Angeles County health department.

About 200 producers take in billions of dollars making thousands of adult movies each year. Many involve unprotected sex, and more than 60 performers who had contact with the two infected actors have been barred by the industry from working until their next blood tests are complete. Some companies have halted production for now.

The county health department wants the state's Division of Occupational Health and Safety to investigate workplace conditions at production companies that employed the male performer first found to be HIV-positive.

California's worker safety laws don't specifically cover the adult movie industry, but Cal/OSHA may have jurisdiction to enforce two general regulations. Employers must have a written plan for injury and illness prevention, and they must provide protection for workers who could be exposed to disease-infected blood or other fluids.

The second regulation has been applied to nurses, janitors and housekeepers, among others, Cal-OSHA spokeswoman Susan Gard said.