Industry News
Cal/OSHA Releases Final COVID-19 ETS
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Cal/OSHA released its third and final version of its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that was approved by the Standards Board at its April 21, 2022 meeting. The revised standard is expected to remain in effect from May 6, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Cal/OSHA released its third and final version of its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that was approved by the Standards Board at its April 21, 2022 meeting. The revised standard is expected to remain in effect from May 6, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
The third revision removes some language and requirements. Most notably:
Requirements of the ETS are the same for vaccinated and unvaccinated employees, and the definition for “fully vaccinated” has been removed.
California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) guidance governs exclusion and return-to-work criteria for those with a close contact, and when face coverings are required.
The “light test” for face coverings has been removed.
Self-administered and self-read testing is now acceptable to return to work when it includes independent verification like time-stamped photography.
A new definition for “returned case” has been added to identify those who have returned to work per the requirements in the ETS and did not develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Cleaning and disinfection procedures have been removed.
Requirements for physical distancing (except when there is a major outbreak) and barriers have been removed.
Cal/OSHA has revised several documents that may be helpful for employers:
What Employers and Workers Need to Know About COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine
Revisions to the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards
Rancho Mesa has revised its COVID-19 Prevention Program template based on the April 6, 2022 proposed revised ETS language. Download a copy of the template from within the Risk Management Center, or from the link below.
Revised 2022 COVID-19 Prevention Program Template Now Available
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa has revised its written COVID-19 Prevention Program Template based on the Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) adopted by California’s Department of Industrial Relations Occupational Safety & Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) in December 2021 and effective as of January 14, 2022.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa has revised its written COVID-19 Prevention Program Template based on the Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) adopted by California’s Department of Industrial Relations Occupational Safety & Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) in December 2021 and effective as of January 14, 2022.
To access the revised template, clients can access the editable version from the Risk Management Center, or request to download the PDF, below.
The template is designed to assist organizations in the development of a COVID-19 Prevention Program that is specific to their organization and locations. Rancho Mesa highly recommends organizations using this template also consult their state’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration and local Public Health Department for specific requirements for their area as requirements can vary from state to state and municipalities. For example, California’s Department of Public Health’s recent guidelines supersede some of the requirements in the ETS.
A discussion on the differences between the previous version and the current version can be found in Ep. 162
Remember, this template alone is not enough to be in compliance. It must also be adapted to each organization and specific locations, as well as implemented. Organizations’ programs may require additional information if the company provides employee housing.
For current COVID-19 information, visit www.RanchoMesa.com/covid-19.
Californians Wait for Revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the past few weeks, Californians have eagerly awaited news from the State’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Standards Board) on revisions to Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its latest guidance that ease mask wearing for those who are fully vaccinated.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the past few weeks, Californians have eagerly awaited news from the State’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Standards Board) on revisions to Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its latest guidance that ease mask wearing for those who are fully vaccinated.
On June 3, 2021, the seven-member Standards Board first voted to deny a revised set of standards that would place additional requirements on business owners and most notably prevent fully vaccinated employees from being able to take off their masks in the workplace if everyone in the room was not vaccinated. However, in the same meeting, the Standards Board voted a second time which led to the approval of the revised standards which were set to go into effect no later than June 15, 2021 when the State is scheduled to fully reopen.
With pressure from businesses, community groups and California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Standards Board held an emergency meeting on June 9, 2021, where they unanimously voted to rescind the proposed standards previously approved on June 3, 2021.
If all of this sounds confusing, you are not alone.
As of the publication of this article on June 15, 2021, business owners should be following the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards that were adopted in November 2020 and May 3, 2021’s Executive Order N-84-20 which allows for fully vaccinated people who have been exposed to a COVID-19 case, but show no symptoms, to remain in the workplace. Rancho Mesa has created a COVID-19 Prevention Plan template based on those requirements. It is available for download.
The Standards Board is scheduled to meet on June 17, 2021 where it is expected they will propose new standards that are more in line with the CDC’s masking recommendations. The agenda provides information on how to attend the virtual meeting.
When changes are made to the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards, Rancho Mesa will update its COVID-19 Prevention Plan template and make it available to the public.
Stay up to date on this issue and others that affect California businesses by subscribing to our weekly Risk Management Newsletter and podcast.
CAL/OSHA Adopts Written COVID-19 Prevention Plan
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.
On November 19, 2020, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board adopted temporary emergency standards to protect workers from COVID-19. These standards are expected to go into effect November 30, 2020, upon approval from the Office of Administrative Law.
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.
On November 19, 2020, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board adopted temporary emergency standards to protect workers from COVID-19. These standards are expected to go into effect November 30, 2020, upon approval from the Office of Administrative Law.
Now, what does this mean for California employers? It means employers must have a written COVID-19 Prevention Plan. This written plan must include and address specific key points outlined by Cal/OSHA. These standards require employers to establish a system for communicating information about prevention, positive cases to employees, how cases will be identified and evaluated, a process for investigation and responding to cases, correction of hazards, training, physical distancing requirements, face covering, site-specific controls, reporting/recordkeeping and access, preventing the spread of the virus to other employees and a defined return-to-work criteria after a COVID-19 recovery.
Rancho Mesa Insurance has developed a COVID-19 Prevention Plan template for its clients to assist in the implementation and compliance of the new standards. Updated versions may become available as the standards are approved by the end of the month.
In addition, Rancho Mesa’s Risk Management Center offers additional tools employers can utilize to make sure they are in compliance with the new standards. Track daily COVID-19 symptoms in the Audit Track screen and deploy free online COVID-19 training for all employees from any mobile device. Our library of COVID-19 resources continues to grow and is available for our clients to access from the Risk Management Center and the RM365 HRAdvantage Portal™.
For information on how to access these resources, please reach out to your Client Services contact.