Safety Alert

What you need to know:

Except for recordkeeping requirements, the COVID-19 Prevention Regulations, Title 8, California Code of Regulations (8 CCR) sections 3205, 3205.1, 3205.2, and 3205.3, will be sunset on February 3, 2025. This means that, as of February 3, 2025, there will no longer be a specific set of regulatory requirements relating to COVID-19 prevention in the workplace. Employers must still maintain a safe and healthy workplace as required by their Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and 8 CCR section 3203. If an employer identifies COVID-19 as a workplace hazard, then the employer must identify, evaluate, and correct any unsafe or unhealthy conditions, work practices, or work procedures that are associated with COVID-19.

Subsection 3205(j), which deals with reporting and recordkeeping, remains in effect until February 3, 2026. It requires that the employer keep a record of and track all COVID-19 cases with the employee's name, contact information, occupation, location where the employee worked, the date of the last day at the workplace, and the date of the positive COVID-19 test and/or COVID-19 diagnosis. These records must be retained for two years beyond the period in which the record is necessary to meet the requirements of this section. It also requires that information on COVID-19 cases be provided to the local health department, CDPH, the Division, and NIOSH immediately upon request, and when required by law.

What employers need to do:

• Continue to log COVID cases until February 3, 2026.
• Maintain existing and new records for two years past the date of the COVID case.
• Keep these records confidential.
• Provide the records to the local health department, CDPH or NIOSH if requested.
• Treat COVID like other workplace health hazards under the IIPP.
• Visit the CDPH Guidance for Employees and Workplaces webpage for current recommendations. 

Be aware Cal/OSHA will be developing a Permanent Infectious Disease Standard. They will be convening an advisory committee in 2025. 

For more information on COVID-19 or any safety topic contact UCON's Chief Safety Consultant, Mike Donlon, at (916) 834-1896.