Revised California Occupational Safety and Health Administration emergency standards are effective as of June 17, prevailing over new federal OSHA rules in the state, according to the California Dental Association.
The revisions come after weeks of flux, with the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voting June 9 to withdraw the earlier proposed revisions. Gov. Gavin Newson signed an executive order June 17 to implement the revised regulations immediately, with the end date currently unknown.
The revisions align with the most recent guidelines from the California Department of Public Health and CDC. The new standard is more stringent than the new federal OSHA standard, which largely exempts dental offices from many screening requirements.
The new rules require employers to inform staff that unvaccinated workers have a right to request and receive a respirator for their voluntary use. Employers also must have COVID-19 testing available at no cost during paid time to employees who are not fully vaccinated and had close contact in the workplace or are showing symptoms of the illness. The revision requires physical distancing only for unvaccinated employees and during COVID-19 outbreaks.