By: Adam Young, Matthew A. Sloan, and Ilana R. Morady

Seyfarth Synopsis: The CDC’s shorter isolation and quarantine requirements will allow employers to get many COVID-19 positive employees and exposed, unvaccinated employees back to work 5 days sooner.   

On December 28, 2021, the CDC shortened the recommended isolation period for all persons with COVID-19.  Under the revised
Continue Reading CDC Amends Isolation and Quarantine Requirements for COVID-19 Amid Spread of Omicron Variant.

By James L. Curtis, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Daniel R. BirnbaumPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted a Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of COVID-19. Under the OSHA regulations and the revised guidance, most cases of COVID-19 will
Continue Reading OSHA Issues Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recordkeeping of COVID-19 Cases

By James L. Curtis, Benjamin D. BriggsBrent I. Clark, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. YoungPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted an Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease (ERP). Now, as states begin reopening their economies,
Continue Reading OSHA Issues Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease

By James L. Curtis, Helen M. McFarland, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The State of Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) just enacted Emergency COVID-19 Safety Rules on “Prohibited Business Activities and Conditions for Operations.”

In a first-of-its-kind emergency rulemaking, DOSH enacted an emergency rule that, on its face, allows
Continue Reading WA DOSH Issues Emergency COVID-19 Safety Rule Mandating Compliance with Emergency Proclamation and Safe Start Reopening Guidance

By Chris DeMeo, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: CDC and OSHA issues specific guidance related to COVID-19 policies, administrative controls, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and face masks for the nursing home industry.   

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes and care facilities have instituted significant precautions and protocols to address employee and resident
Continue Reading CDC and OSHA Issue COVID-19 Guidance for the Nursing Home Industry

By Mark L. Johnson, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: After a Sangamon County Circuit Court temporarily blocked the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission’s (IWCC) emergency rule that created a rebuttable presumption that injured employees contracted COVID-19 at work, the IWCC repealed the emergency rules.

Infectious diseases transmitted in the
Continue Reading Illinois Worker’s Compensation Emergency Rules Establishing Rebuttable Presumption for COVID-19 Have Been Withdrawn

By James L. CurtisBrent I. ClarkMark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips (guidance) employers can follow to help protect construction workers from exposure to the coronavirus.

Measures that can help protect employees working
Continue Reading OSHA Issues COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce

By Brent I. ClarkBenjamin D. BriggsJames L. CurtisIlana R. MoradyPatrick D. JoyceAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued Interim Guidance to advise compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) to evaluate an employer’s good faith efforts to comply
Continue Reading OSHA Issues Temporary Guidance on Using Enforcement Discretion During the Coronavirus Pandemic

By Benjamin D. Briggs, James L. CurtisAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has issued a COVID-19 guidance for package delivery employers. OSHA offers recommendations to help reduce employees’ risk of exposure to the coronavirus, including administrative controls, hygiene measures, face coverings, and social distancing.

OSHA had previously released a Guidance
Continue Reading OSHA Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Package Delivery Employers

By Benjamin D. BriggsLynn Kappelman, Adam R. Young, Matthew A. Sloan, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has issued COVID-19 guidance for retail employers, including tips that can help reduce employees’ risk of exposure to the coronavirus. OSHA’s recommendations feature administrative controls, hygiene measures, face coverings, and social distancing.

Previously, OSHA released
Continue Reading OSHA Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Employers