The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, has established emergency standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These new temporary standards apply to most workers in California, including those in the agriculture sector.
The standards require employers to
- create a COVID-19 Prevention Program to evaluate employee exposure to COVID-19, correct unsafe and unhealthy conditions, and ensure workers wear face coverings;
- provide training on how COVID-19 is spread and infection prevention techniques;
- provide information on benefits to which employees affected by COVID-19 may be entitled;
- provide testing and notify public health departments workplace outbreaks; and
- maintain records and track COVID-19 cases.
For support in developing a COVID-19 Prevention Program, employers may contact Cal/OSHA Consultation Services at 1-800-963-9424 or at InfoCons@dir.ca.gov. Cal/OSHA has also created a fact sheet that provides more detail on the emergency standards.