On May 19, 2023, in San Diego, California, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) received public comment regarding the proposed Indoor Heat Standard. The board took public comment and discussed the regulation on the closing day of the forty-five-day comment period.
Articles Discussing California Workplace Health And Safety Issues.
California Bill Seeks to Expand Cal/OSHA Jurisdiction to Domestic Workers
On February 16, 2023, California Assembly Member Wendy Carrillo, along with Senator Newman and Assembly Member Haney introduced Senate Bill (SB) 686, which, if passed, would increase the health and safety protections of domestic workers.
California’s Workplace Violence Bill Heavily Amended for Virtually All Employers
On February 15, 2023, California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-15) introduced Senate Bill (SB) No. 553, which originally aimed to require the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to adopt regulations requiring general industry employers to adopt a workplace violence prevention plan as part of the employer’s injury
What Cannabis Industry Employers Need to Know About Cal/OSHA
The “cannabis industry” in California is not monolithic but is actually composed of employers in various industries. Agricultural employers cultivate cannabis, manufacturing employers process cannabis and package it, and retail employers sell the cannabis. For all these employers, Cal/OSHA imposes several workplace safety requirements that can pose compliance challenges.
Currently,
Cal/OSHA Standards Board Publishes Proposed Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Standard: It’s Getting Hot in Here
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board recently published the official draft version of an indoor heat illness prevention standard. The new proposed regulation would apply to indoor places of employment when the temperature reaches at least 82 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present.
COVID-19 Workplace Rules Linger For California Employers Even Absent a COVID-19 Emergency
By: COVID-19 Workplace Rules Linger For California Employers Even Absent a COVID-19 Emergency
Effective February 3, 2023 and in place until February 3, 2025, Cal-OSHA’s Non-Emergency Regulations direct all employers to continue to follow certain COVID-19 guidance. As a result, employers should vigilantly monitor the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH)
More COVID-19 Guidance from the CDPH and Cal/OSHA
Earlier this month, the California Department of Public Health updated its COVID-19 public health Order and guidance regarding isolation/quarantine and face-covering recommendations. Here is a link.
New California Bill Aims to Require Cal/OSHA to Adopt General Industry Workplace Violence Prevention Regulations
Workplace violence is a serious concern for California employers in all industries, but the state’s workplace violence prevention regulations are currently applicable only to the healthcare industry. A bill recently introduced in the California Legislature would require the state’s occupational safety and health regulator to broaden the scope of workplace
California Pushes Employers to Make Drinking Water More Easily Available to Workers
On February 6, 2023, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board held that employers must provide their outdoor workers with drinking water at a location “as close as practicable,” effectively creating a new precedent for interpreting the state’s requirements related to the proximity of drinking water.
Cal/OSHA Proposes Changes to Update Workplace Exposure to Lead Regulations
On March 3, 2023, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board published notice of proposed revised regulations pertaining to workplace exposure to lead for the general industry and construction safety orders.
In its Initial Statement of Reasons for the revisions, the Board indicates that the existing requirements are based on lead toxicity information
What Does the End of the COVID-19 State of Emergency Mean for California Employers?
In October 2022, Governor Newsom announced the California COVID-19 State of Emergency would end on February 28, 2023. While this will phase out some of the tools the state used in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, it does not mean the end of all COVID-19 regulations and requirements for employers. Three
Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulation Is Now in Effect After OAL Approval
On December 15, 2022, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board adopted the COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulation to replace the Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), which were set to end on December 31, 2022.
Cal/OSHA and Workplace Violence Prevention: What Is an Employer’s Duty Under Current Standards and Guidelines?
Workplace violence is a growing concern in California and across the country, as evidenced by numerous recent tragic incidents in the news. These recent incidents may highlight for employers the importance of taking steps to prevent and respond to workplace violence, and they may also leave employers wondering about their
February 1st Deadline to Post the Annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses is Coming Up!
California employers are required to post their annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses, in a visible and easily accessible area at every worksite from February 1st through April 30th. Cal/OSHA’s Form 300A must be used for this posting.
Employers can find an overview regarding completing both the log (Form 300) and the
Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 ETS Will Remain in Effect Pending OAL Approval of COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations
New COVID-19 prevention regulations adopted by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on December 15, 2022, were sent to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for approval. The new regulations will not take effect until approved by OAL, which has thirty working days to complete its review.
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