By Ilana Morady, Patrick D. Joyce, and Benjamin D. Briggs
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 20, 2023, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its guidance to local health departments on the definition of a COVID-19 outbreak. The new definition changes the timeframe for counting COVID-19 cases that make up an outbreak from 14 to 7 days.
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Definition Changes Make Outbreaks Less Likely
By Ilana R. Morady, Adam R. Young, and Patrick D. Joyce
Seyfarth Synopsis: After a lengthy delay due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cal/OSHA has published its proposed indoor heat illness prevention standard. After the publication, there is a 45-day comment period, ending at the Standards Board May 18, 2023 meeting. The Standards Board
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Turns Up The Heat on Employers
By Ilana Morady, Patrick D. Joyce, Coby Turner, Liz Watson and Juan Rehl-Garcia
Seyfarth Synopsis: Two big changes are on the horizon for California employers:
(1) changes to the COVID-19 general exposure notification requirements and (2) a proposed “permanent” Cal/OSHA COVID-19 standard to take effect January 1, 2023-2025.
The fall season signals change between the
Continue Reading Changes Coming to CA COVID-19 RequirementsBy Jeryl L. Olson, Patrick D. Joyce, Rebecca A. Davis, Jose Almanzar, Ilana R. Morady, Brent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law two sweeping pieces of legislation prohibiting certain products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in California starting on January 1, 2025.
Continue Reading New California Legislation Outlaw PFAS in Textiles and Cosmetics in Continuation of PFAS Regulation in Western StatesBy Adam R. Young, Mark A. Lies, II, Brent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Safety and health management systems (SHMSs) may demonstrate a commitment to improving safety and health outcomes, and reduce legal liabilities.
The federal OSHA standards mandate a series of written safety and health programs, depending on the hazards at the worksite,
Continue Reading OSHA Recommends a Safety and Health Management System — Does Your Business Need One?
By Ilana Morady, Patrick D. Joyce, and Coby Turner
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 21, 2022, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board (“Board”) voted 6-1 to approve a third adoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (“ETS”). The revised ETS will likely go into effect the first week of May and will expire on December 31, 2022.
Background
As
Continue Reading Third Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS Approved
By Ilana Morady, Patrick D. Joyce, and Coby Turner
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Cal/OSHA Standards Board (“Board”) has published proposed language for the third adoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (“ETS”), which will be voted on during the upcoming April 21, 2022 Board meeting. The ETS, assuming it is readopted, will expire on December 31, 2022.
Continue Reading Third Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS is Around the Corner
By Ilana Morady, Coby Turner, and Patrick D. Joyce
Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 16, 2021, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted to readopt the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) with changes that will take effect January 14, 2022. This readoption includes many changes to the current ETS, including an elimination of many of the current distinctions between
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Adopts Revised and Restrictive COVID-19 ETS
By Ilana R. Morady, Brent I. Clark, James L. Curtis, Benjamin D. Briggs, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, Daniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 606 into law on September 27, 2021. It creates two new categories of Cal/OSHA violations: “enterprise-wide” and “egregious”. It
Continue Reading California Senate Bill 606 to Beef Up Cal/OSHA Enforcement Authorities
By Daniel R. Birnbaum, Coby Turner, Liz Watson, and Patrick D. Joyce
Seyfarth Synopsis: Following a rollercoaster ride that lasted for weeks, and culminated in another 4.5 hour long marathon meeting, on June 17, 2021, Cal/OSHA finally approved a revised version of its Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”). While the revised ETS aligns closer to guidance issued
Continue Reading Finally! Cal/OSHA Approves Revised Emergency Temporary Standard