The following article paints a pretty good picture of why contractors need to stay involved with their state association and adequately fund the government relations and advocacy program . These type of draconian measures that exceed CDC and OSHA standards are popping up in other jurisdictions across the country . Onerous local requirements coupled with the ability to shut down your projects have no place in our state ’ s economic recovery .
California enacts strict new COVID-19 notification law
By Joe Bousquin
Dive Brief :
■ A new California law that went into effect Jan . 1 allows state regulators to shut down jobsites that expose workers to an imminent hazard of COVID-19 infection , while eliminating a previously required 15-day rebuttal period for contractors to respond to any alleged “ serious violations ” related to COVID-19 , according to the Associated General Contractors of California .
■ The state ’ s AB 685 law codifies much of the emergency temporary standard that California ’ s Division of Occupational Safety and Health Cal / OSHA implemented in November . But it also expands the notification requirements for employers , as well as Cal / OSHA ’ s policing powers for violations of infection prevention requirements aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace .
■ “ It can be a challenge for contractors to comply with ,” said Brendan Carter , vice president of labor relations at AGC California . “ The fact that Cal / OSHA has a lower enforcement threshold means contractors really need to be diligent to ensure they ’ re in full compliance with this .”
Dive Insight :
In November , following similar actions in Virginia , Oregon and Michigan , California adopted an emergency temporary standard around COVID-19 that spelled out employers ’ requirements to have a written prevention plan that includes notification to employees of potential exposure , steps for removing COVID-19-positive and exposed workers from the workplace while protecting pay and benefits and notifying local health authorities of workplace outbreaks .
AB 685 spells out those notification requirements in greater detail , as well as the enforcement mechanisms for a “ serious
12 DITCHMEN • JANUARY 2021