Jan 21 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules updated again

On January 8, 2021, Washington’s Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health (DOH) again extended and modified existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry. As a reminder, the larger framework for agriculture COVID-19 safety compliance in Washington continues to be Proclamation 20-57.1, and the implementing requirements for worksites, which we reported…

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Jan 21 2021

COVID-19Leave LawsSafety and Health  

CALIFORNIA: Cal/OSHA updates COVID-19 workplace safety FAQs

On January 8, 2021, Cal/OSHA significantly expanded the FAQs for California’s emergency temporary standard addressing COVID-19 workplace safety. As we previously reported, the standard took effect on November 30, 2020, and will remain in effect until October 2, 2021. Some of the key clarifications are: Enforcement: Until February 1, 2021, Cal/OSHA will cite…

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Jan 07 2021

Q&ACOVID-19Safety and Health  

Q&A: Pandemic precautions affect winter driving

Question: Should we consider any special driving precautions for employees in winter during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic compared to a “normal” winter season? Answer: Yes, this is an entirely new frontier of change, challenges, and struggle for many of us, and preparing for winter driving conditions may require a little more creativity. First and…

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Jan 07 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: State will transition to regional reopening approach

Governor Jay Inslee has announced that Washington will move from a county to a regional reopening approach during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, beginning on January 11, 2021. The “Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery” plan divides the state into eight geographic regions and initially provides for two levels of reopening: Phase 1 and Phase 2.…

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Jan 07 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: Updates coming to temporary worker housing rules

The existing safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry issued by Washington’s Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health (DOH) will soon be updated following their expiration on January 8, 2021. As a reminder, the larger framework for agriculture COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety compliance in Washington continues to…

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Dec 17 2020

COVID-19Leave LawsSafety and Health  

States adopt modified quarantine guidance for COVID-19 exposure

Arizona, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana have followed in Washington’s footsteps and adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s new shorter quarantine options either in whole or in part. As we previously reported, the CDC maintains that its prior recommendation of a 14-day quarantine for exposed individuals is still the safest…

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Dec 17 2020

COVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health  

EEOC addresses vaccine mandates

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has added a new section to its FAQs on COVID-19 (coronavirus) to address the degree to which employers can require workers to be vaccinated. The publication, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” addresses considerations under the…

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Dec 17 2020

COVID-19Safety and Health

OREGON: More new documents released on COVID-19 rule

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) continues to release new documents to help employers comply with its COVID-19 (coronavirus) workplace safety rule. As we previously reported, the rule requires employers to develop and implement certain safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. As…

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Dec 03 2020

COVID-19Safety and Health  

CDC modifies quarantine guidance for COVID-19 exposure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new shorter quarantine options for consideration by local public health authorities on December 2, 2020. The CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus) but says local authorities may shorten that time depending on local conditions. The new…

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Dec 03 2020

COVID-19Safety and Health  

OREGON: More guidance released on COVID-19 safety rule

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) recently released some new documents to help employers comply with its COVID-19 (coronavirus) workplace safety rule. As we previously reported, the rule requires employers to develop and implement certain safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. On…

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