Industry News
Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards End, Employers Still Required to Document COVID-19 Cases
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
February 3, 2025 marked the end of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards. However, while California employers are no longer required to follow any regulatory requirements, COVID-19 reporting and recordkeeping requirements (Title 8 Subsection 3205(j)) remain effect until February 3, 2026.
Cal/OSHA Releases Top Safety Citations for 2024
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released its Top 10 List of Most Frequently Cited Standards for fiscal year 2024. Each year, OSHA compiles a list of the most common workplace safety hazards. Understanding these new numbers can provide insight for employers on potential safety issues within their organizations. While OSHA’s list includes the top ten citations, we will focus on the top five critical violations.
California Enacts Strict Updates to Lead Exposure Regulations
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Cal/OSHA Standards board approved stricter standards for occupational lead exposure in both the construction industry and general industry.
The Final Chapter: Addressing Training, Access and Recordkeeping in the IIPP
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In this third installment of exploring an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), we will be taking a closer look at: Providing employee training and instruction, procedures to allow employee access to the program, and recordkeeping and documentation.
SB 553: Governor Signs New Law for Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On September 30, 2023 Governor Newsom signed into law new standards for California companies regarding workplace violence. Effective July 1, 2024, Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) will expand requirements for recordkeeping, injury and illness prevention programs, and employee training.
OSHA Officially Rules for Expanded Recordkeeping Requirements for High-Hazard Industries
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) made its final ruling to expand recordkeeping requirements for high-hazard industries, such as construction. The new requirements will take effect January 1, 2024 and will expand on what injury and illness information is needed to be electronically submitted to OSHA.
Identifying Proper Procedures for the Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In this second installment of exploring an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) we will be taking a closer look at the procedures for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards, investigating occupational injury or illnesses, and correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions, work practices and procedures.
Cal/OSHA to Enact ETS for Silica Exposure in Artificial Stone Industry
Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On July 20, 2023, the Cal/OSHA board approved a petition that requested an emergency temporary standard for respirable crystalline silica, a byproduct of manufacturing and cutting artificial stone material.
OSHA Posting and Submitting Guide
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. would like to remind its clients that February 1, 2022 marks the start of the OSHA Form 300A Summary posting period. The OSHA Form 300A is a summary of the company's annual work-related injuries and illnesses. It must be posted from February 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022.
Cal/OSHA Adopts Revised ETS Through April 2022
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Thursday, December 16, 2021, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted in favor, 6 to 1, of adopting the revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). This is the third iteration of the ETS since it originally went into effect in November 2020 and it happens to be the second and final re-adoption that’s allowed.
OSHA Issues ETS Addressing Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job.
SB 606 Broadens Cal/OSHA’s Enforcement Reach
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law Senate Bill 606 (SB 606), greatly expanding Cal/OSHA’s enforcement powers and monetary penalty amounts. The new law will take effect January 1, 2022, so California employers have only a few months to tighten their safety practices or face steep monetary fines.
Californians Wait for Revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Over the past few weeks, Californians have eagerly awaited news from the State’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Standards Board) on revisions to Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its latest guidance that ease mask wearing for those who are fully vaccinated.
Cal/OSHA 300A Form Posting Begins February 1st
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. would like to remind its clients that February 1, 2019 marks the start of the Cal/OSHA Form 300A posting period. The Cal/OSHA Form 300A is a summary of the company's annual work-related injuries and illnesses. It must be posted from February 1, 2019 to April 30, 2019.
CAL/OSHA Adopts Written COVID-19 Prevention Plan
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.
On November 19, 2020, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board adopted temporary emergency standards to protect workers from COVID-19. These standards are expected to go into effect November 30, 2020, upon approval from the Office of Administrative Law.
AB 685 Creates New Notice and Reporting Requirements
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc.
On September 17th, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1159 (SB 1159) and Assembly Bill 685 (AB 685), both COVID-19 related bills. Both pieces of legislation will impact how employers respond to incidents of COVID-19 infections. This article will help business owners understand AB 685’s heightened occupational health and safety rules. Employers also need to understand how AB 685 grants California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) greater enforcement powers.
SB 1159 Is Now Workers’ Compensation Law
Author, Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As expected, California Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1159 (SB 1159) into law Thursday, September 17, 2020 and it will have several impacts on workers’ compensation and the presumption of the claim. Below is an outline of some of the more important elements of SB 1159. In simple terms, just remember three numbers, 4/4/14 - I’ll explain, later.
OSHA Recording Requirements for COVID-19 Cases
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As businesses begin to reopen across the country, employers are now faced with the real possibility that one or more of their employees may be diagnosed with COVID-19. Those who are familiar with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recording requirements may be wondering how to handle an employee COVID-19 case on their OSHA logs.
What Employers Need to Know Before a Serious Injury Occurs in the Workplace
Author, Jim Malone, Workers’ Compensation Claims Advocate, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Timely reporting of an employee’s work-related serious injury, illness or death can pose a challenge to the employer. As of January 1, 2020, these incidents (including any hospitalizations, unless the injured worker is admitted for medical observation or diagnostic testing) must be reported immediately to Cal/OSHA. Immediately means as soon as practically possible but not longer than 8 hours after the employer knows or, with diligent inquiry, would have known of the serious injury, illness or death.
Cal/OSHA Updates: AB 1805 Changes Definition of Serious Injury or Illness
Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For reporting purposes, California Assembly Bill 1805 (AB 1805) outlines new definitions for what is considered a serious injury or illness. These changes were made to bring California’s laws more in line with Federal OSHA reporting standards. These changes include…