CAL OSHA STRICT NEW STANDARDS IMPOSED ON EMPLOYERS
December 4, 2020
In response to the continuing surge in COVID-19 cases, on November 30, 2020 the Cal OSHA Standards Board approved new Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) imposing significant and substantial new workplace regulations on all California employers which become effective immediately. These ETS will be in effect for 180 days but will likely be extended.
These new standards include substantial new reporting requirements, new hazard identification and mitigation rules, testing and record keeping requirements, obligations to continue compensation and benefits to employees excluded from the workplace due to a COVID exposure, significant notification requirements, and record-keeping rules.
Cal/OSHA has posted FAQs and a one-page fact sheet on the regulation, as well as a model COVID-19 prevention program.
Employers must take immediate steps to comply with the ETS to avoid the imposition of significant fines for non-compliance.
WHO IS COVERED & EXCLUDED
- Covered: All employees and places of employment.
- Excluded:
- Places of employment with one employee who does not have contact with other persons.
- Employees working from home.
- Employees already covered by Cal/OSHA’s aerosol transmission standard (applicable generally to certain health care facilities, laboratories, and others).