December 2021 Facemask OSHA Mandate. What you need to know!!!
On December 16, 2021, Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board voted to readopt the Cal/OSHACOVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) with several revisions. This amended read option of the ETS will go into effect on January 14, 2022, and will remain in place until April 14, 2022.
Here is an overview of some of the significant changes:
Face Coverings
Cloth face coverings must now pass the “light test.” To qualify as a face covering under the revised ETS, a cloth face covering may not let light pass through it when held up to a light source.
Additionally, both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees must wear face-coverings during screening.
Return-to-Work Criteria
Under this new read-option, persons who had close contact, but never developedCOVID-19 symptoms may return to work after 14 days have passed since the last known close contact. However, the employee who had the close contact is permitted to return early under the following scenarios:
- 10 days after the close contact if the employee wears a face covering and maintains 6 feet of separation from others for 14 days.
- 7 days after the close contact if the person tested negative for COVID-19 using a COVID-19 test with the specimen taken at least five days after the last known close contact; and the person wears a face covering and maintains six feet of distance from others while at the workplace for 14 days following the last date of close contact
Outbreaks and Testing
This newest version of the ETS removes this distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees with respect to testing. Under the amended version of the ETS, employers must also make COVID-19 testing available at no cost, during paid time, to fully vaccinated, asymptomatic employees who have had close contact or during an outbreak.
For more information, please click on the attached link:
If you have a question in regards to the new OSHA restrictions please put click the calendar below to schedule a time to talk
