Tag: Covid

California's Updated Emergency COVID-19 Standards About to Take Effect In December of last year, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) readopted and made significant changes to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) that will take effect on January 14th, 2022. Though the previous requirements have primarily remained, there are new provisions employers must account for. These updated rules attempt to account for the latest recommendations of the California Department of Public Health. Revised Exposure Notification Requirements The ETS has been revised to clarify the procedures employers must comply with to notify all employees who were potentially exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace. Employers must send a readily understandable written notification informing the employee that they might have been exposed to COVID-19 without revealing any personally identifying information of the case that they were exposed to. This must be delivered within one business day of the exposure by any means that ensures that the message will guarantee it is received within this timeframe including email, or text message. Increased Testing Requirements for Exposed Employees Unlike in the prior E-version of the ETS, employers are required to provide employees who came into close contact with a case of COVID-19 in the workplace with testing during paid time. However, those employees who return to work after an exposed case and have demonstrated no symptoms need not be provided with testing. New Exceptions to Exclusion Rules The revised ETS includes certain revisions to exclusion rules for certain employees. However, it is important to keep in mind that the Governor's Executive Order N-84-20 from December overrides this guidance in some cases. The updated ETS now states that employees who are exposed to cases of COVID-19 but never develop symptoms may return to work under any one of the following three conditions: After 14 days from the most recent close contact. After only 10 days, if the employee maintains six feet of social distance and wears a face-covering until 14 days have passed since the close contact. After seven days, if the employee tests negative for COVID-19 based upon a test taken at least 5 days after the most recent close contact and the employee continues to wear a face mask and maintains social distancing for 14 days from the most recent close contact. For employees who have recovered from a case of COVID-19 within the last 90 days, the ETS states that they are not required to be excluded from the workplace if they maintain social distancing and wear a face covering. CDPH Guidance A recent executive order from Governor Gavin Newsom states that in cases where the ETS provides longer Quarantine and Isolation periods than current CDPH guidance, the latter prevails. This means that notwithstanding the language of the revised ETS, guidance from the CDPH is controlling. The most recent CDPH guidelines for quarantine and isolation are: Regardless of an employee's vaccination status, those that test positive should isolate for a minimum of five days. After this period, if they have had no symptoms or resolving symptoms and test negative on the final day, they may end isolation. Otherwise, ten days of isolation is required. Unvaccinated employees who are exposed to COVID-19 should isolate for five days upon which if they have no symptoms and test negative on the final day, they may stop. However, they should wear a face-covering until ten days have passed since exposure. Employees that are vaccinated but unboosted despite eligibility can end isolation if asymptomatic after receiving a negative test 3-5 days after exposure to COVID-19. However, they must wear a face covering for ten days after exposure. Employees exposed to COVID-19 who are vaccinated and boosted or who are not yet eligible for a booster shot should test after five days, and if they remain asymptomatic, they need not be isolated. However, they should wear a face covering for the ten days following the exposure. Employer Takeaways Employers should ensure that they are familiar with these new requirements and that they are ready to implement them. However, it is expected that Cal/Osha will release updated guidance in the following weeks. Make sure your company policies are compliant with State law by reading up on fair chance hiring practices. Learn more by downloading our free resource on Adverse Action Notice Protocols in Compliance With FCRA. STAY COMPLIANT WITH YOUR BACKGROUND CHECKS

Tag: Covid

California’s Updated Emergency COVID-19 Standards About to Take Effect

Our Process

Our Platform

Screenings

For Your Industry

For Your Role

Webinar

Resources Library

Logins

E-Book

Services

Industry

Resources

Our Company