On June 17th a vote was held by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to adopt a revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards. The vote passed and Governor Newsom made an executive order to have revisions take effect immediately. Updates include changes to face coverings and physical distancing requirements. Here are some highlighted changes but you can see everything here.
What Changed
• Fully vaccinated employees without symptoms no longer need to be tested or quarantined after close contact with a COVID-19 case unless showing symptoms.
• No face covering requirements outdoors (except during outbreaks), regardless of vaccination status.
• Employers may allow fully vaccinated employees not to wear face coverings indoors, but must document their vaccination status. In outbreaks all employees must wear face coverings indoors and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be kept.
• Employers must provide unvaccinated employees with approved respirators for voluntary use when working indoors or upon request.
• Employers may not retaliate against employees for wearing face coverings.
• No physical distancing or barrier requirements necessary regardless of vaccination status unless there is a work place outbreak with 3 or more employees or major outbreak locally.
• Employers must inspect ventilation systems and maximize outdoor air and increase filtration efficiency. They should also evaluate additional air cleaning systems.
What Stayed the Same
• Employers must have an effective written COVID-19 Prevention Program.
• Training and instruction to employees regarding prevention plan and their rights under ETS.
• Notifying public health departments of outbreaks and employees of exposure or close contacts.
• Offer testing to employees after potential exposures.
• Quarantine and exclusion pay requirements.
Comments