Vigilant Blog

WASHINGTON: Governor issues Phase 2 construction requirements

On May 15, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee’s office issued guidance for construction activity in counties that have entered Phase 2 of Washington’s reopening. The memo permits all construction to resume in Phase 2 counties, as long as employers and workers can meet all the criteria listed in the Phase 2 Construction COVID-19 Job Site Requirements….

COVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health

EEOC updates guidance on COVID-19 disability accommodations

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently clarified in its COVID-19 FAQs what to do if an employee with a disability has one of the underlying medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that puts them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The FAQs address common…

COVID-19CaliforniaIdaho

Resources available to track phased opening of states

States are implementing reopening plans in the wake of COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, some more quickly than others. Many are reopening in phases, but several states are allowing counties to apply for accelerated reopening, making it challenging for businesses to know what phase and/or guidelines apply. Below is a list of state resources to use in…

WASHINGTON: New manufacturing requirements released

In a memo on May 12, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced a comprehensive list of Phase 2 – Manufacturing Facility COVID-19 Requirements for businesses located in counties where Phase 2 of the governor’s reopening plan is in effect. The requirements apply to all manufacturing in the state of Washington, with the exception of certain food…

COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC issues detailed COVID-19 guidance for manufacturers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has issued interim guidance for manufacturers to protect workers from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The CDC partnered with OSHA to create the guidance. The guidance explains that workers in manufacturing may have an increased risk of contracting the…

COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC increases length of recommended isolation for COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance to increase the recommended isolation time for COVID-19 (coronavirus) illness in situations when sick individuals seem to have recovered but haven’t been tested to determine whether they’re still contagious. For individuals who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, home isolation is recommended…

WASHINGTON: L&I finalizes rules for temporary worker housing

On May 12, 2020, Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) released new requirements for temporary agricultural worker housing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Here’s what you need to know if you’re the housing operator for your employees (or if you’re responsible for a housing operator’s compliance with these rules): Effective and…

COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC issues guidance on cleaning businesses and public spaces

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued detailed instructions on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes to help keep them free of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Much of the focus revolves around developing and implementing plans to maintain spaces in a clean and hygienic state as reopening continues. As…

COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: Cal/OSHA updates infection prevention guidance

Cal/OSHA has been updating and expanding its guidance for specific industries on how to protect workers from COVID-19 (coronavirus). We previously reported on guidance for the construction and logistics industries. According to the web page for Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus, those documents were updated on May 5, 2020, but the changes…

COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: New COVID-19 rule for worker housing & ag operations

On April 28, 2020, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) adopted a temporary rule to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in employer-provided housing, labor-intensive agricultural operations, and agricultural transportation. The new rule increases minimum standards for sanitation, toilet facilities, and handwashing facilities, and provides social distancing guidelines both for employer-provided housing…