Beginning January 1, the new reporting requirements for COVID-19 exposures went into effect. These new requirements impose obligations for employers to notify employees, as well as employers of subcontracted employees, of COVID-19 exposures and to notify public health officials of outbreaks in the workplace. The new regulation also expands the authority of Cal/OSHA to close down a workplace, or part of a workplace, if the Agency determines that it is unsafe due to COVID-19.
When a workplace exposes workers to the risk of infection from COVID-19 that the Agency feels creates an imminent hazard, Cal/OSHA may prohibit entry or prohibit the operation or process.