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Jul 23 2020
Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: L&I adopts new unified fall protection rules

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has issued new fall protection rules, which better align L&I’s rules with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and unify fall protection rules across all industries. Currently, Washington doesn’t have specific guidelines for the use of fall protection for general industry (which would typically apply…

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Jul 23 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

OSHA: Report work-related COVID-19 inpatient hospitalizations

According to recently updated guidance from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must report (not just record) any worker’s inpatient hospitalization for care or treatment of a confirmed, work-related case of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Generally, federal regulations require employers to report inpatient hospitalizations for work-related illnesses within 24 hours of (1) the incident/exposure…

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Jul 23 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: More localities enact emergency paid sick leave

The cities of Sacramento and Santa Rosa, along with San Mateo County, have added to the growing list of local areas in California to offer supplemental emergency paid sick leave (EPSL). In addition to EPSL, the Sacramento ordinance adds employer safety practices and protocols that must also be implemented. Several similar EPSL ordinances have been…

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Jul 23 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: Governor rolls back reopening

In response to the sharp rise in COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases and hospitalizations, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered a statewide closure of some indoor businesses and county-specific restrictions on others. Affected statewide industries include indoor operations of dine-in restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums, and cardrooms. Bars and brewpubs…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor expands face covering & reporting rules

Governor Jay Inslee recently issued two proclamations (20-25.5 and 20-25.6), extending Safe Start until August 6, 2020, expanding face covering requirements, and requiring Washington employers to report confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases. Although the public has been required to wear face coverings in almost all situations since June 26, the latest proclamation says that…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19Q&ASafety and Health

WASHINGTON Q&A: Face coverings required except for work alone

Question: We know that all employees in Washington must wear a cloth face covering except when working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site. What does it mean to be “working alone”? As long as employees stay at least six feet apart from each other, does that mean they’re “working alone” and…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19

DOL says child labor laws apply if schools are teaching remotely

According to a field assistance bulletin issued by the federal Department of Labor (DOL), child labor laws that restrict working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds during the school year still apply even if schools are physically closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), for any day or week in which the school requires remote or distance learning….

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

DOL clarifies FFCRA leave for closure of summer camps

The federal Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a field assistance bulletin to clarify when employees can take leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) due to the closure of their child’s summer camp or other summer program. As we previously reported, the FFCRA allows employees to take leave for a number of…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health

Q&A: Understand record retention rules for health screenings

Question: We’re requiring employees, contractors, and visitors to our facility to provide their temperatures and answer health screening questions. Do we have to keep records of the answers, and if so, for how long? Answer: There’s no legal obligation to create a written record of actual temperatures or answers to a health screening questionnaire. However,…

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Jul 09 2020
ArizonaCOVID-19Safety and Health

ARIZONA: Governor orders businesses to help stop spread of virus

Governor Doug Ducey recently issued two executive orders, Executive Order 2020-40 (June 17, 2020) and Executive Order 2020-43 (June 29, 2020), to help limit and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Some of the key elements of these orders that are important to most employers include:  Directing businesses to assist in containing the spread of…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLabor Relations

CALIFORNIA: SF grants reemployment rights after COVID-19 layoffs

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently voted to create a temporary right to reemployment following a layoff resulting from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The “Back to Work” emergency ordinance, which took effect July 3, 2020, requires employers in San Francisco with 100 or more employees (immediately before the first layoff) who have laid off…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19Hiring

Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, through July 19, 2020

The federal Department of Homeland Security has announced another extension of its temporarily relaxed standard regarding physical inspection of a new worker's employment eligibility documents when completing the Form I-9. This is the second 30-day extension of the relaxed standard, with the new expiration now July 19, 2020. As we previously reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for employers…

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