Cal/OSHA COVID Testing regulations

Dec. 18, 2020 Update - California approved emergency temporary Cal/OSHA standards on COVID-19 infection prevention on November 30, 2020. These new temporary standards apply to most workers in California not covered by Cal/OSHA’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard. Learn more on the standard here. The COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions from Cal/OSHA is here.

Farm Bureau has received reports that the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is visiting farms to verify implementation of their "Cal/OSHA COVID-19 General Checklist," (5/26/20) and their "Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Daily Checklist for Agricultural Employers" (5/8/20).

The agency has asserted that it has authority to enforce use of these checklists and compliance with its "Safety & Health Guidance: COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees” (5/26/20).  The agency states that its enforcement authority arises from the Injury and Illness Prevention Program standard requirement that employers must assess and abate workplace hazards in a systematic way:

"This guidance does not introduce any new legal obligations, but because COVID-19 is widespread in the community, most California workplaces must consider the disease a workplace hazard."  

For more information, contact SLO County Farm Bureau or visit the Farm Employers Labor Service website at fels.net