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Nov 12 2020
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: Oregon OSHA releases new COVID-19 workplace rule

On November 6, 2020, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) released its long-awaited temporary rule on “Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks.” The new rule applies to all employers in the state of Oregon, with additional requirements for certain employers depending on size, work performed, and industry. Under the rule, employers must develop and…

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Nov 12 2020
Labor RelationsSafety and HealthWage and Hour

WASHINGTON: Agriculture exemption from overtime takes a hit

The Washington Supreme Court recently ruled the state’s agricultural exemption from overtime doesn’t apply to dairy workers, in a case with widespread implications for all agricultural employers. Under Washington’s Minimum Wage Requirements and Labor Standards Act, employees must generally be paid overtime for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, unless a specific exemption…

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Nov 05 2020
COVID-19Leave LawsSafety and Health

CDC modifies definition of “close contact” for exposure to COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently changed its definition of “close contact” to determine potential exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus). “Close contact” is now defined as a combined total of 15 minutes within a 24-hour period within six feet of someone infected with the virus. Previously, close contact was defined as a continuous…

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Nov 05 2020
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: Face covering requirements updated for all workplaces

Governor Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently revised the statewide face covering guidance, which impacts all employers in the state. The new guidance mandates that face coverings be worn in all “public and private workplaces,” including any indoor or outdoor place where people work. As we previously reported, private offices had been…

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Oct 01 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: New COVID-19 exposure notice and reporting obligations

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 685, which will require employers to provide employees with specific notice after becoming aware of a potential COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. The new law also gives the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) the authority to shut down a facility if it’s deemed to be an imminent…

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Oct 01 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Sacramento County implements paid sick leave law

Effective October 1, 2020, covered employers in unincorporated Sacramento County must provide paid sick leave to eligible workers for qualifying, COVID-19-related reasons, and all employers in unincorporated Sacramento County must implement specific COVID-19-related safety protocols and practices in their facilities. Under the Sacramento County Worker Protection, Health and Safety Act of 2020, covered employers must…

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Sep 17 2020
Safety and Health

Q&A: Address wildfire smoke in safety protocols

Question: Our company is located in an area that has been recently inundated with wildfire smoke. What are some things we can do to help ensure our employees are taking their safety and health into consideration while performing their work activities? Answer: As an employer, you’re required to ensure the health and safety of employees…

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Sep 17 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules updated

On September 10, 2020, Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and the Department of Health (DOH) 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…

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Sep 17 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Bill expands COVID-19 PSL to all California employees

On September 9, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation (AB 1867) that ensures all California employees can take up to an additional 80 hours of paid sick leave for their own health concerns related to COVID-19, if they weren’t eligible for such leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). First, the bill adds…

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Sep 03 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Interpretive guidance updated for ag COVID-19 safety

On August 28, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee released updated interpretative guidance accompanying the current COVID-19 safety requirements for agriculture on which we recently reported. Washington’s employers in the agriculture industry have endured a steady stream of additional requirements and changes around COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety. The good news is the new interpretive guidance is fairly…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

OSHA goes back to regs on reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations

Recently, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) removed informal guidance from its website explaining when to report work-related COVID-19 (coronavirus) exposures that cause inpatient hospitalizations. As a result, you as the employer should rely on existing regulations for reporting work-related illnesses. As we previously reported, OSHA had published guidance that made it seem…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor modifies COVID-19 ag safety, adds testing

On August 19, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee delivered yet another proclamation (Proclamation 20-57.1, Concerning the Health of Agricultural Workers), which imposes even more agricultural COVID-19 requirements for worksites, particularly around isolating and testing workers. Many items are the same as those previously required, but significant new mandates are noted below and listed first. Testing:…

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