On September 15, 2022, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (“OSHSB”) held its first public meeting to consider a new workplace health and safety regulation related to COVID-19. This regulation would be in effect for two years and replace the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”).
The OSHSB took no action on the proposed regulation at the meeting, but directed staff at the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“DOSH”) to consider comments provided by the public and the members of the Board in making potential revisions to the draft version of the regulation.
The draft version of the regulation contains a number of similarities to the current ETS and would also update certain terms and provisions to more closely align with current circumstances and California Department of Public Health guidance.
While the OSHSB has not provided official notice as to when it will act on the proposed regulation, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore attorneys are closely monitoring developments at the Board and will provide an update if and when the OSHSB promulgates a regulation providing for COVID-19-related workplace health and safety requirements.