Cal-OSHA

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Seyfarth Synopsis: The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has approved significant revisions to California’s workplace first aid requirements for both construction and general industry. For general industry employers, the most notable change is the elimination of the longstanding requirement that first aid kit contents be approved by a consulting physician. Instead, employers may now comply by providing a…

Continue Reading California Finally Modernizes First Aid Requirements: What Employers Need to Know

Seyfarth Synopsis: On August 14, 2026, Cal/OSHA released a revised discussion draft of proposed changes to California’s heat illness prevention standards, Section 3395 (Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention) and Section 3396 (Indoor Heat Illness Prevention). The proposal continues Cal/OSHA’s effort to implement Assembly Bill 2243 while making California’s indoor and outdoor heat standards more consistent in structure and terminology. Although many…

Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Releases Revised Heat Illness Proposal: What Employers Need to Know About the August 2026 Draft

Seyfarth Synopsis: The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) has issued a proposed regulation (Section 331.8. Representatives during the Inspection) that allows employees to designate a representative, including another employee, a third party, or the collective bargaining representative, during workplace safety inspections conducted by Cal/OSHA.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) issued a Notice of…

Continue Reading Cal/OSHA’s Proposed “Walkaround Rule” Welcomes Unions into Private California Workplaces: Key Takeaways for California Employers

On May 13, 2025, Cal/OSHA released a new discussion draft of its proposed regulation on Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry. This latest version updates the July 15, 2024 draft we previously blogged about, and reflects stakeholder input gathered through the advisory committee process.

Key Proposed Revisions

Confronting Suspected Criminals

One of the most significant changes is the removal…

Continue Reading Update: Cal/OSHA Releases Revised Draft Workplace Violence Prevention Regulation, Strikes Prohibition on Confronting Shoplifters

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 7, 2025, Cal/OSHA released a draft proposal to revise the outdoor and indoor heat illness prevention regulations (8 CCR Sections 3395 and 3396), aiming to implement requirements from AB 2243, signed by Governor Newsom at the conclusion of the 2021-22 legislative session. These proposed changes alter how employers must respond to heat hazards, and introduce new…

Continue Reading Sweating the Details: Cal/OSHA Proposes Changes to Heat Regulations

Seyfarth Synopsis: Ongoing wildfires in Southern California trigger Cal/OSHA regulations that require employers to train and protect employees from wildfire smoke. The regulation applies to most outdoor workplaces, requiring employers to provide N95 respirators at certain AQI trigger levels, effective communication, and training on wildfire smoke hazards.

Devastating and fast-moving wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in…

Continue Reading As Wildfires Rage in Los Angeles, Employers Must Comply with Cal/OSHA’s Wildfire Smoke Rules

By Daniel R. Birnbaum, Ilana R. Morady, Benjamin D. Briggs, and Patrick D. Joyce

Seyfarth Synopsis:  Following California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan regulation becoming effective, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) recently published its draft Workplace Violence Prevention regulation.  It is seeking public comments by September 3, 2024, with an advisory committee…

Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Drafts Rules for Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry

By Jacob Roes, Patrick Joyce, Ilana Morady, and Adam Young

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Cal/OSHA Standards Board unanimously voted to approve Cal/OSHA’s indoor heat rule at the June 20, 2024 Standards Board meeting. Employers should be prepared to comply within the next 30-60 days.

Originally expected to be approved at the Standards Board’s March 21, 2024…

Continue Reading The Heat is On: Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Standard Gains Unanimous Approval
iStock - CalPECs COVID-19

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 Requirements