The California Department of Industrial Relations issued revised COVID-19 FAQs on January 6, 2022, to address the interplay of the new CDPH isolation and quarantine guidance and the Cal/OSHA ETS. (Thank you, DIR!).
Articles Discussing California Workplace Health And Safety Issues.
California Mask “Mandate” Guidance Extended; Los Angeles Increases Mask Burden on Employers
By: California Mask “Mandate” Guidance Extended; Los Angeles Increases Mask Burden on Employers
On January 5, 2022, the California Department of Public Health announced the extension of its statewide mask guidance for masking in all indoor public settings through February 15, 2022. Yesterday’s announcement applies to all persons, regardless of vaccine
Cal/OSHA Confirms CDPH 5-Day Quarantine and Isolation Periods Override ETS Exclusion Periods
On January 6, 2022, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) updated its answers on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) isolation recommendation found in its guidance, “COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions.”
Los Angeles County Implements Employer Mask Mandate Until Further Notice
On January 5, 2021, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued an Order of the Health Officer requiring all employers to provide face masks to employees “who work indoors and in close contact with other workers or the public.”
Updated COVID-19 Guidance: Isolation and Quarantine
On December 30, 2021, the CDPH issued new guidance regarding isolation and quarantine related to COVID-19. A link to the new guidance is included below.
AN UPDATE…
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide early next month whether to stay the enforcement of OSHA’s ETS, pending the Court’s substantive decision on the regulation’s constitutionality. The ETS implements President Biden’s vaccine-or-test mandate for employers with 100 or more employees.
California Employers Must Comply with the Cal/OSHA ETS While Uncertainty Continues with Federal ETS
On December 16, 2021, Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board voted to readopt the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (Cal/OSHA ETS) with several revisions. And just a day later the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit lifted the stay on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard
Cal-OSHA Adopts and Extends the Revised Emergency Temporary Standards
On December 16, 2021, Cal-OSHA re-adopted its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) for a second time after previously doing so on June 17, 2021. While Cal-OSHA initially proposed language for a second re-adoption on October 20, 2021, the Cal-OSHA Board delayed voting to re-adopt the prior version. Now, Cal-OSHA has further revised the language to include enhanced restrictions for vaccinated employees and align closely with the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) recommendations. The new amendments will go into effect on January 14, 2022.
More Mask Guidance…
As you know, the CDPH issued new mask guidance earlier this week. The order, which was effective on December 15, 2021, requires masks indoors at public transit facilities such as airports, healthcare settings, adult and senior care facilities, schools, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers, movie theaters, retail stores, restaurants, family entertainment centers and government offices that serve the public.
Cal/OSHA Approves 2nd Readoption of ETS and Governor Issues Order Potentially Further Extending COVID Restrictions
On December 16, 2021, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (the “Standards Board”) adopted its second set of proposed revisions to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (the “2nd Revised ETS”).1 The 2nd Revised ETS will take effect on January 14, 2022.
CDPH Strikes Again – New Guidance on Masking, Mega Events, and Travel Guidance
On December 13, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued updated “guidance” related to masking, the timing of COVID testing of non-vaccinated persons at Mega Events, and COVID testing for persons entering into California.
Clarification for Masks in the Workplace from CDPH and Cal/OSHA
Less than 24 hours after the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) new mask mandate went into effect, the CDPH updated its guidance to clarify the application of the mandate. Previously, the mandate by the CDPH referenced “indoor public settings” without further definition. In the updated guidance, the CDPH clarifies
MAKING MANDATORY EEO TRAINING EFFECTIVE
Come 2022, many California employers will once again need to make plans to provide mandatory EEO and “abusive conduct” training to all employees. Senate Bill 1343 became law in 2019, requiring employers to provide training every two years, with an initial training deadline of January 1, 2021.
California Implements Statewide Mask Requirements for All Indoor Public Settings
On December 13, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a revised guidance on face coverings titled Guidance for the Use of Face Covering.
A Bit of News on Cal/OSHA’s Response to the OSHA ETS
So. Cal/OSHA’s agenda for its November 18 meeting includes adopting emergency language related to “vaccines, testing and face coverings” in light of the OSHA ETS. No proposed language is available yet. Here is the link to the agenda in its current form. More to come.
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