Less than two weeks after approval from the Cal/OSHA board, an emergency regulation designed to protect workers during COVID-19 outbreaks has gone into effect.
The rule cleared a legal review by the state this week. Business and agriculture groups argued the board was overstepping its jurisdiction by requiring employee wages and benefits to continue when a worker is on leave due to exposure. The Western Agricultural Processors Association claimed the rushed procedure to pass the regulation lacked due process.
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Employers are now responsible for developing a prevention plan, correcting hazards in the workplace, investigating cases and immediately notifying employees who may have been exposed.
