Cal/OSHA has adopted emergency rules to ensure all California
workers receive more protection from the potentially devastating
impacts of COVID-19. These standards create mandatory and
enforceable requirements for employers to reduce transmission of
COVID-19 in workplaces and will benefit educators and staff in
our early childhood settings, schools, community colleges,
and universities.
The Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard contains
provisions that allow “exclusion pay” for workers who
are unable to work because they were exposed to COVID-19 at the
worksite. Exclusion pay means the employer continues to pay you
even if you must be “excluded” from the worksite.
- The Emergency Temporary Standard took effect November
30, 2020,
- The standard was revised on June 17, 2021.
- The revised Emergency Temporary Standard is in effect until
December 31, 2022.
June 17, 2021 — Revisions to the Emergency Temporary
Standards
Following the June 17 vote by the Occupational Safety
and Health Standards Board to adopt
the revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary
Standards,
Governor Newsom signed an executive order to allow
the revisions to take effect immediately on June 17,
2021. The revisions are in effect until December 31, 2022.
The revised regulations reflect the state’s latest COVID-19
public health guidance. The updates include changes to face
coverings and physical distancing requirements. More information
about the revised Emergency Temporary Standards can be found on
the Cal/OSHA website at the links below.
November 18, 2020 – Emergency Temporary Standards
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted unanimously on November 18,
2020, to adopt emergency rules to strengthen COVID-19 protections
for all California workers. The Dept. of Industrial Relations
website includes information about the original standard.
(This standard was revised on June 17, 2021. )