With the New Year comes new laws and a reminder about some related notifications from the past. There are new COVID-19 Rules and Regulations effective January 01, 2021 that all California Employers need to be aware of and actions taken to be compliant.
California AB 685
In the event of a COVID-19 exposure in the workplace, employers must provide a written notice to “all employees” who were at the worksite within the infectious period who may have been exposed to the virus.
What Kind of Notice Do I Need to Provide My Employees?
The new notice requires employers to take these actions within one business day of a “potential exposure” based on a positive confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace:
The new notice requires employers to take these actions within one business day of a “potential exposure” based on a positive confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace:
- Provide written notice to all employees, and employers of subcontracted employees who were at the worksite within the infectious period who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Although the written notice requirement applies only to employees and subcontracted employees, employers should also consider notifying any identifiable third parties who were at the worksite during the infectious period.
- Provide written notice to employee representatives, including unions and sometimes attorneys, who may represent employees.
- Provide written notice to employees and/or employee representatives regarding COVID-19-related benefits that employee(s) may receive, including workers’ compensation benefits, COVID leave, paid sick leave, and the company’s anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies; and
- Provide notice to employees regarding the company’s disinfection protocols and safety plan to eliminate any further exposures, per CDC guidelines.
- Click the link below for a template.
New Cal/OSHA COVID Regulations and Employers’ Responsibilities (Nov20)
Several Cal/OSHA Emergency COVID-19 Regulations went into effect on November 30, 2020. One component requires employers to write a COVID-19 Prevention Plan (CPP) for their business operations.
To help you with these new requirements, for a downloadable template, please click the CPP Template link. Please use this as a guide to create your business CPP as soon as possible.
Below are some of the new Cal/OSHA requirements:
- Creating a written COVID-19 Prevention Plan (CPP)
- The CPP should cover 11 specific precautions the employer must implement, such as employee training and correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions in the workplace.
- Offering free COVID-19 testing to employees who had potential COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.
- Screening employees for COVID-19 symptoms and keeping employees who are sick or exposed to COVID-19 out of the workplace.
- Continuing wages to employees who cannot work due to a COVID-19 exposure on the job under some circumstances.
- Reporting COVID-19 cases to the local health department.
These new regulations apply to all California businesses, with the exception of:
- Places of employment with one employee who does not have contact with other persons.
- Employees working from home.
- Employers covered by the Aerosol Transmittable Diseases standard (primarily health care providers, correctional facilities, drug treatment programs and homeless shelters).
More information and resources related to these regulations are available at
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Accuchex at 415-883-7733 ext-117 or email aisadmin@accuchex.com
Team Accuchex