The recent tragic attack at an office building in New York and the loss and pain felt by its survivors and those affected leave many employers wondering what more they can do to protect their employees and locations. In California, most businesses must have a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) as a result of
CalOSHA
Too Hot to Handle: Don’t Get Burned by Cal/OSHA’s Heat Rules
As summer temperatures rise across California, it’s a good time for employers to review their responsibilities under Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention standards. These rules apply to both outdoor and indoor workplaces and are designed to protect employees from heat-related illnesses and injury.
The outdoor heat illness prevention standards apply to all outdoor places of employment.
Cal/OSHA Mulls Creation of New Subcommittee Amid NIOSH Funding Cuts
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) is contemplating the establishment of a subcommittee to address issues stemming from the reduction of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Read what this may mean for Cal/OSHA.
California Employers, Don’t Forget Your Annual Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Responsibilities!
- Reviewing their plan at least annually, including for
End of an Era: Cal/OSHA’s COVID Non-Emergency Standard Sunsets
As of February 3, 2025, most of Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards have officially come to an end. This marks a significant shift for California employers who have been navigating these regulations and their predecessor emergency temporary standards for the past four years.
Despite the expiration of most obligations under this standard, employers are…
Cal/OSHA Provides Guidance for Managing Post-Fire Cleanup Efforts
In light of the ongoing and devastating fires in Los Angeles County, Cal/OSHA released new guidance to ensure the safety and health of workers involved in fire damage cleanup.
Of note, Cal/OSHA’s standards may apply to some household domestic service workers. Historically, domestic service workers have not been subject to Cal/OSHA’s standards while cooking, cleaning…
California’s Governor Proclaims a State of Emergency for Bird Flu
On December 18, 2024, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to streamline and expedite the state’s response to Avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as “Bird Flu.”
This may give many employers flashbacks to the COVID-19 Pandemic and shelter-in-place requirements. Currently, it is not that type of emergency. However, there are some mandates that…
Assembly Bill 2975: California Passes Amendments to Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements
Hospitals must prepare now to comply with Assembly Bill (AB) 2975, which requires certain hospitals to implement a weapons screening policy and use specified weapons detection devices, other than handheld metal detector wands.
For years, California has led the nation in workplace violence prevention laws, beginning with workplace violence prevention standards for hospitals. The…
Senate Bill 1350: Your Hearth is Cal/OSHA’s New Home: The Agency’s Jurisdiction Expands to Include Household Domestic Services
Cal/OSHA regulates employee safety at places of employment. Historically, household domestic services were excluded from the definition of a “place of employment” and therefore Cal/OSHA’s jurisdiction. With a swish of his duster pen, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 1350, which removes this exemption and grants Cal/OSHA control over household domestic services with the…
Reminder: Public Comment on Cal/OSHA’s Proposed Workplace Violence Prevention Regulations due September 3rd
As Golden State employers know, a new workplace violence prevention law for non-healthcare employers went into effect on July 1, 2024. Cal/OSHA, the agency charged with overseeing workplace safety and health, has been directed to develop regulations to implement this new law.
Many employers are hoping that the new regulations will shed some light on…