Seyfarth Synopsis: California Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board adopted a California OSHA emergency temporary standard regarding COVID-19. The emergency temporary standard will go into effect after it is reviewed and approved by the California Office of Administrative Law, which may be as soon as November 29, 2020. It brings with it new documentation,
Continue Reading Not So Happy Thanksgiving? Cal/OSHA Approves Temporary COVID-19 Standard
COVID-19 Exposure Notification Requirements Coming To A Workplace Near You
Seyfarth Synopsis: As California’s legislative session comes to an end, a wave of new COVID-19 related laws that impact employers are being signed into law. On September 17, 2020, Governor Newsom signed AB 685, which will require employers to provide specific notices to employees exposed to COVID-19 within one business day of becoming aware of the exposure, and impacts
Continue Reading COVID-19 Exposure Notification Requirements Coming To A Workplace Near You
Cal/OSHA Guidance on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
Seyfarth Synopsis: Cal/OSHA has issued guidance on protecting workers from exposure to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or Coronavirus).
Faithful readers are already familiar with our previous dispatches, including Chinese Coronavirus Outbreak—What Employers Need to Know; Coronavirus: Employer Liability Issues; Legal Update & January 6, 2020 Webinar–Coronavirus: Employer Liability Issues; and, of course, our Coronavirus INFORMATION
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Guidance on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
ALL California Employers Must Have Injury and Illness Prevention Programs
Seyfarth Synopsis: A unique element of Cal/OSHA is its requirement that ALL employers have a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). 8 CCR 3203.
Despite the IIPP requirement being “on the books” since 1991, many employers with establishments in California still do not have an IIPP. In fact Cal/OSHA issues more citations under the IIPP standard than
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New Cal/OSHA Emergency Regulation to Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke
Seyfarth Synopsis: Cal/OSHA’s new emergency regulation for workers exposed to wildfire smoke creates new obligations for many employers.
An emergency regulation on Protection from Wildfire Smoke applies to outdoor workers and to workers in semi-indoor places. Examples include day laborers, agricultural workers, landscapers, construction workers, and sanitation workers. Requirements (described below) kick in when the current Air Quality Index
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Cool For the Summer
Seyfarth Synopsis: As the mercury rises, California employers must comply with regulatory requirements to keep their employees cool. Employers should be aware of Cal/OSHA’s existing requirements for outdoor workplaces and proposed rules which could turn up the heat on indoor employers.
California Keeps It Cool
For many years, Cal/OSHA has distinguished itself from Federal OSHA by, among other things,
Continue Reading Cool For the Summer