A coalition of businesses isn’t confident that new state Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) regulations will cause the economy to bounce back after setbacks created by COVID-19.
“These new Cal/OSHA regulations do not ensure that the economy can roar back,” said Sarah Pollo Moo, spokesperson for the California Retailers Association (CRA), a member of the coalition. “Instead, they continue to not align with the CDC and are inconsistent with other large states like New York, which have fully opened without similar confusion and frustration.”
Although color-coded restrictions were lifted on June 15, a variation of differing policies is expected to emerge as local governments and businesses are permitted to maintain stricter rules, according to media reports.
“These actions are a step in the right direction and we sincerely thank the governor for issuing an executive order to help expedite clarity for employers and employees, however, there is still more work to be done,” Pollo Moo said.
In addition to the CRA, coalition members include the California Business Roundtable, the California African American Chamber of Commerce, the California Restaurant Association, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, the California Business Properties Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, California Western Growers, the Orange County Business Council and the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.
It was widely reported that while the state’s Department of Industrial Relations approved rules that require workers to wear a mask except in the event that employees are vaccinated, Cal/OSHA was reluctant to ease restrictions at all.
“The California standard continues to raise questions related to privacy, liability, and duration of the standards,” Pollo Moo said. “These must be addressed to ensure businesses can bring their employees back and fully reopen the economy.”
Gov. Newsom signed an executive order enabling revisions to take effect without the normal 10-day review period by the Office of Administrative Law after Cal/OSHA adopted revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards.
“We will continue our work with the governor on these outstanding issues to clean up the confusion and provide clear answers for all businesses," Pollo Moo added. "We also encourage all Californians to get vaccinated so California can see a full economic recovery and not have to backtrack on the progress we have made.”
The revisions, which reflect guidance issued for businesses by the California Department of Health, include the following:
- Provide information to all patrons, guests, and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
- Implement vaccine verification to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask.
- Require all patrons to wear masks.
- No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.