By Brent I. ClarkJames L. CurtisBenjamin D. BriggsMark A. Lies, IIAdam R. YoungA. Scott HeckerIlana MoradyPatrick D. JoyceDaniel R. BirnbaumMatthew A. Sloan, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: On July 27, 2021, the CDC revised its mask guidance in response to
Continue Reading Time to Mask Up Again? CDC Revises Mask Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals

By Brent I. Clark, James L. CurtisMark A. Lies, IIAdam R. YoungPatrick D. Joyce, Daniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: As we approach the heat of the summer season and as employers begin to re-open after months of COVID-19 quarantine, workers may be out of shape, out
Continue Reading Heat Illness and Back to Work — Summer 2021

By Daniel R. BirnbaumCoby TurnerLiz 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

By Brent I. ClarkJames L. CurtisAdam R. YoungA. Scott HeckerPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 18, 2021, OSHA adopted (by reference) CDC’s May 13, 2021 guidance for fully vaccinated individuals in many non-healthcare settings. Specifically, OSHA announced that employers should “refer to the CDC guidance
Continue Reading OSHA Temporarily Adopts CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Employers

By Brent I. ClarkJames L. CurtisAdam R. YoungA. Scott HeckerPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 13, 2021, the CDC announced further updated recommendations for fully vaccinated people in non-healthcare settings.

In an unexpected turnabout from previous guidance, the CDC updated its “Interim Public Health Recommendations
Continue Reading Breathe Easy – CDC Advises that Fully Vaccinated People Need Not Mask or Social Distance in Most Settings

By Brent I. ClarkBenjamin D. BriggsCoby TurnerAdam R. YoungIlana Morady, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 20, 2021, the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board (OSHSB) will consider changes to the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) Rules, and it just posted the
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Considering Changes to COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

By Benjamin D. BriggsPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth SynopsisThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its original recommendation for all people to wear cloth face coverings when in public and around other people, now acknowledging that face coverings not only protect others, but also protect the wearer. 

On November
Continue Reading CDC Updates FAQs on Face Coverings – Now Recommending Use to Also Protect the Wearer

By James L. CurtisMark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: In two recent guidance documents, OSHA recommends that employers encourage workers to wear cloth face coverings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. OSHA further addresses the challenges posed by cloth face coverings for workers in
Continue Reading OSHA Publishes New Guidance on Use of Cloth Face Coverings and Heat Illness Prevention

By Benjamin D. BriggsPatrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: In late May, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam directed the state’s Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to develop emergency temporary standards to prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19. Those rules were adopted on July 15, 2020. 

Federal OSHA has only issued
Continue Reading Virginia Adopts Emergency Workplace Safety Regulations

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

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its frequently asked questions and answers to advise employers about the use of face masks in the workplace.

We had blogged previously about face masks at work. See DOL Issues FAQs About Face Coverings, Surgical
Continue Reading OSHA Updates FAQs on Face Masks in the Workplace