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Joshua M. Henderson is a principal in the San Francisco, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C., where he represents employers in a variety of industries in a broad range of labor and employment litigation and counseling.

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

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

In light of recent wildfires across Southern California, employers should make sure they are familiar with California’s wildfire smoke standard.  Sadly, harmful air quality from wildfire smoke can occur anywhere in the state on short notice, so it is vital that employers prepare early.

With some exceptions, the wildfire smoke standard applies to workplaces

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

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

Last year, California’s Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 553, which requires most employers to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). The law is enforceable on July 1, 2024. Cal/OSHA is responsible for enforcing the requirements of SB 553, now codified in California Labor Code Section 6401.9.

Recently, Cal/OSHA

Last year, California’s Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 553, which requires all employers to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). The law takes effect on July 1, 2024. Cal/OSHA is responsible for enforcing the requirements of SB 553, now codified at California Labor Code Section 6401.9.

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