Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Introduction

§3205.2. Major COVID-19 Outbreaks.

(a) Scope.

(1) This section applies to any place of employment covered by section 3205 when there are 20 or more COVID-19 cases in an exposed workplace within a 30-day period.

(2) This section shall apply until there are no new COVID-19 cases detected in a workplace for a 14-day period.

(b) COVID-19 testing. Employers shall provide twice a week COVID-19 testing, or more frequently if recommended by the local health department, to all employees present at the exposed workplace during the relevant 30-day period(s) and who remain at the workplace. COVID-19 testing shall be provided at no cost to employees during employees' working hours.

(c) Exclusion of COVID-19 cases. Employers shall ensure COVID-19 cases and employees with COVID-19 exposure are excluded from the workplace in accordance with subsections 3205(c)(10) and (c)(11) and any relevant local health department orders.

(d) Investigation of workplace COVID-19 illnesses. The employer shall comply with the requirements of subsection 3205(c)(3).

(e) COVID-19 hazard correction. In addition to the requirements of subsection 3205(c)(4), the employer shall take the following actions:

(1) In buildings or structures with mechanical ventilation, employers shall filter recirculated air with Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 or higher efficiency filters if compatible with the ventilation system. If MERV-13 or higher filters are not compatible with the ventilation system, employers shall use filters with the highest compatible filtering efficiency. Employers shall also evaluate whether portable or mounted High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration units, or other air cleaning systems would reduce the risk of transmission and shall implement their use to the degree feasible.

(2) The employer shall determine the need for a respiratory protection program or changes to an existing respiratory protection program under section 5144 to address COVID-19 hazards.

(3) The employer shall evaluate whether to halt some or all operations at the workplace until COVID-19 hazards have been corrected.

(4) Any other control measures deemed necessary by the Division through the Issuance of Order to Take Special Action, in accordance with title 8 section 332.3.

(f) Notifications to the local health department. Employers shall comply with the requirements of section 3205.1(f).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 144.6, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 11-30-2020 as an emergency; operative 11-30-2020. Emergency expiration extended 60 days (Executive Order N-40-20) plus an additional 60 days (Executive Order N-71-20) (Register 2020, No. 49). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 10-1-2021 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.