While the Cal/OSHA Standards Board (Board) has received much more attention in the last two years relating to the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) the Board is turning to some more basic issues pertaining to workplace safety. At its upcoming April 21, 2022 meeting the Board will consider revisions to first aid kit requirements both
workplace safety
California DIR Takes Aim at Public Works Construction Sites – Construction Employers Should Review Workplace Safety Compliance
By Sean Paisan & Sierra Vierra on
Posted in CalOSHA
The Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF) has announced an initiative to inspect publicly funded construction sites to ensure employers provide worker’s compensation and follow labor laws, including workplace health and safety requirements.
With this new focus, construction employers who work on public works projects should review their workplace compliance to…
California Legislature Gives the FAST Recovery Act a Second Chance
By Eric J. Gitig & Swaja Khanna on
Posted in California
January 31st was the last day for the California legislature to approve bills that had been initially introduced in 2021 before they are shelved for good. The FAST Recovery Act (Assembly Bill (AB 257) was such a bill.
AB 257 would create an 11 member Fast Food Sector Council appointed by the…
Cal/OSHA Standards Board to Discuss New OSHA ETS
By Sean Paisan on
Posted in CalOSHA
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) pertaining to COVID-19. While there are already lawsuits to block the Federal ETS, California employers are wondering what is going to happen with Cal/OSHA’s current ETS?
Prior to the issuance of the Federal ETS, Cal/OSHA had released…
Cal/OSHA Wildfire Safety Requirements Apply to More Than Outdoor Worksites
By Sean Paisan & Sierra Vierra on
Posted in CalOSHA
Historically, California has experienced the most destructive wildfires in the months of September and October. As we head into those months, employers should make sure they are familiar with California’s wildfire smoke standard. Harmful air quality from wildfire smoke can occur anywhere in the state on short notice, so it is vital that employers…
Cal/OSHA Amends COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards, Again.
By Sean Paisan & Cressinda D. Schlag on
Posted in CalOSHA
The last few weeks have been quite tense for California employers as they watched the drama unfold with the state’s Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) over amendments to the standing COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”)
In case you missed it: a few weeks ago, Cal/OSHA delayed a vote on…
Cal/OSHA Standards Board Reverses Course on ETS Amendment
By Sean Paisan on
Posted in CalOSHA
In an emergency meeting on June 9th, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board reversed itself and voted to withdraw the amended COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) it had just approved on June 3rd. As such, employers will remain governed by the ETS that was passed in November 2020.
The emergency meeting was held so…
California Employers Contend with Mixed Signals as the State Prepares to Reopen
By Cressinda D. Schlag on
Posted in CalOSHA
Since California announced plans for “preparing to get back to normal,” many California employers have eyed California’s reopening date of June 15th as the date they can return to the office or resume normal operations. But even though it is clear California wants to reopen the economy, California employers that are preparing their return…
Cal/OSHA Standards Board Delays Vote on Revised COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards
By Sean Paisan & Cressinda D. Schlag on
Posted in CalOSHA
On May 20th, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board was set to vote on revisions to COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”).
The evening before the vote the Deputy Chief for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Division”) submitted a request that the Standards Board not to vote on proposed revisions and instead allow the…
Without Much Ado, Cal OSHA Updates Guidance Regarding Vaccinated Individuals
By Cressinda D. Schlag & Sierra Vierra on
Posted in CalOSHA
As the federal government and state of California adjusted their COVID-19 guidance for vaccinated individuals, Cal OSHA remained silent on how vaccination affected the requirements under its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). While there had been discussions of revisions to the ETS, it was unclear if Cal OSHA would be able to release such…