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May 07 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: Governor issues four-part plan for reopening state      

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a framework for gradually reopening the state of California, with certain low-risk businesses being able to open as early as May 8, 2020 (Executive Order N-60-20). As we previously reported, the governor issued an order on March 19, 2020, which closed all non-essential businesses and instructed residents to stay home…

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May 07 2020
COVID-19

EEOC delays 2019 EEO-1 Report due date to March 2021

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it’s delaying the deadline for the 2019 EEO-1 Report for a full year, so it will be due in March 2021. The 2019 data should have been due on March 31, 2020, but the EEOC never got the submission portal up and running. The agency now says…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19

CDC updates list of possible COVID-19 symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its list of possible COVID-19 symptoms. Previously the agency had listed only fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The new list of symptoms expands “shortness of breath” to include difficulty breathing and adds the following six symptoms: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache,…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

OSHA tells health care employers how to decontaminate face masks

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance on decontaminating and reusing disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators (FFRs) for protection against infectious agents, such as COVID-19 (coronavirus). The guidance applies to employers in the health care industry and doesn’t affect the use of disposable FFRs in facilities where the masks are used…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: Cal/OSHA issues guidance for construction & logistics

Cal/OSHA recently issued safety guidance for the construction and logistics industries, to protect workers from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The guidance documents don’t impose any new obligations; they offer ideas to help California employers address COVID-19 in their Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (IIPPs). Because the virus is widespread in California communities, Cal/OSHA says updating your IIPP…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: DOSH addresses returning after COVID-19 exposure

Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) issued an updated directive to its safety compliance officers, effective April 27, 2020, which incorporates guidance on when it’s okay to allow essential workers to return after a potential exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus). This directive supersedes the April 7 version on which we previously reported. A “potential…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health

EEOC updates guidance on COVID-19 workplace testing

On April 23, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its COVID-19 FAQs to say that employers may test workers for COVID-19 (coronavirus) before they enter the workplace, because the virus poses a direct threat to health and safety. The EEOC has updated the guidance several times during the current pandemic to address employment…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19IdahoSafety and Health

IDAHO: Governor announces criteria and stages for reopening state

On April 23, 2020, Idaho Governor Brad Little issued criteria for reopening Idaho in stages to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus). The governor launched a new website, Idaho Rebounds – Our Path to Prosperity, which includes a specific section detailing the stages of reopening. As we recently reported, the governor’s Stay Home order…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Some low-risk construction allowed to restart

On April 24, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced that non-essential, “low-risk” construction projects that were previously paused may resume operation if they follow 30 specific safety requirements to contain the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). As we previously reported, residential and commercial construction was deemed non-essential unless it was related to providing other essential services, building…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: L&I weighs in on garnishment moratorium

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)’s Wage and Hour team recently confirmed in an informal email that employers aren’t obligated to return garnished wages to employees when the withholding took place before the governor’s garnishment moratorium on April 14, 2020. L&I can’t say conclusively what you should do with that money, but suggested it…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

Podcast available on restarting businesses after COVID-19

Vigilant’s safety team has released a 12-minute podcast on “Returning to Work after COVID-19.” Companies that have temporarily closed or reduced operations during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic are opening back up. Employers need to know how best to navigate these re-openings, keeping in mind current requirements for ensuring workers’ safety. Our podcast covers the basics…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Food sector expanded paid sick leave poster available

California’s new “COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Food Sector Workers” model notice (workplace poster) is now available. The poster must be displayed where employees can easily read it, such as in the breakroom, near the time clock, or another conspicuous place where other workplace notices are posted. If workers don’t regularly come to a…

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