California to Issue Emergency COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules

California’s Occupation Safety and Health Standards Board, which oversees the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), voted last week to advance the petition of workplace COVID-19 safety rules, which was introduced in May, Los Angeles Times reports.

The six-member board listened to statements about workplace COVID-19 outbreaks and conditions in the state from dozens of workers including custodians, teachers, agricultural workers, fast-food and retail employees, and union organizers.

The temporary workplace COVID-19 safety rules will require a review, comment period, and approval from California’s Office of Administrative Law. They are expected to go into effect by November 30 and be in place for six months. These rules will affect nearly 20 million workers in the private and public-sectors, except in health care where workers are already covered under a 2009 state law governing infectious illnesses.

The new rules mandate that employers implement mask wearing and social distancing, report all COVID-19 outbreaks, and provide free testing for the SARS CoV-2 virus and personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees at no cost, among other requirements.

California will be the fourth and largest state implementing temporary emergency COVID-19 safety rules after Virginia, Michigan, and Oregon.