DECIPHERING CALIFORNIA’S NEW COVID WORKPLACE SAFETY STANDARDS
On June 3, 2021, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted COVID-19 standards scheduled to go into effect following the end of California’s "Blueprint for a Safer Economy” color-coded tier system ending on June 15. The following information is taken from the June 3 adopted standards, which require administrative approval.

I’m fully vaccinated. Do I need to wear a mask?
If you’re working outdoors, no. You don’t have to wear a mask unless you have COVID-19 symptoms. If you’re working indoors, yes, you have to wear a mask. But there is one significant exception: You don’t have to wear a mask if everyone in a room is fully vaccinated and doesn’t have COVID-19 symptoms. Click here for more information about this topic.

What about social distancing?
Social distancing is required if you work inside or at mega outdoor events (Defined as having 10,000 or more participants or spectators). However, the requirement ends July 31. After that, social distancing is not required, except during outbreaks.
In mixed groups, masks would still be required, but businesses would not have to impose social distancing if they provide N95 masks for the unvaccinated to use voluntarily.

I’m not fully vaccinated. What can I do?
You have to wear a mask, but there are a few exceptions, which also apply to those who are fully vaccinated:

• You’re alone in a room or eating and drinking (as long as you stay six feet apart from others)
• You can’t wear face coverings because of a medical condition
• You can’t feasibly perform specific tasks with a face covering
• You are outdoors and six feet apart from others

 
How do these standards work with federal and state guidance?
The federal guidance says those who are fully vaccinated can go maskless indoors and outdoors. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted state and local workplace guidance can supersede the federal recommendation.
California plans to lift its mask mandate on June 15, but Cal/OSHA does have the authority to create separate rules for workplaces.

What else should I know about the standards?

• N95 masks: If you are not fully vaccinated and working indoors or at mega outdoor events, you can ask your employers for N95 masks starting July 31.
• Proof of vaccine: To prove you’re fully vaccinated, your employer can ask you for documentation. Details aren’t yet clear on what documentation will suffice, but employers don’t need to keep a copy of your vaccination card.
• Testing: You can get tested at no cost during paid time if you are not fully vaccinated and have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Outbreak: An outbreak is now defined as having three or more employees at a worksite testing positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period. The workplace is defined as any working area used or accessed by those who tested positive during their high-risk exposure period.
• Those who are fully vaccinated without symptoms don’t have to self-isolate even if they were exposed to COVID-19. The same is the case for those who recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days. However, if you don’t fall into either category and were exposed to COVID-19 at work, you must still self-isolate. Your employer must continue to pay you while you self-isolate.

What does the rule mean for customers?
Because the board’s rule only governs workplaces, customers won’t be affected. That means come June 15, when California expects to lift its mask mandate, customers can come in without face coverings. However, nothing prohibits a private employer from requiring everyone, including customers, to wear masks.

Could the rule change again?
The board voted on June 3 to convene a subcommittee to update the standard as quickly as possible. The next meeting is scheduled for June 17, followed by another on July 15 (although the board can convene an emergency meeting in between scheduled sessions). However, it could take until August to make any substantial change to the standards.
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Will Governor Newsom step in?
Board members acknowledged Newsom can issue an executive order modifying the standards, which were backed by labor and heavily opposed by the business representatives. But speaking on June 4, Newsom said he looks forward to the board’s discussion and didn’t say whether he plans to make any changes on his own.

On December 3, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a regional stay at home order in response to the continued spread of COVID-19. For the purposes of his order, California is divided up into the five regions depicted below. The majority of SRBX members are within the Greater Sacramento Region.

The Governor’s order specifies individuals who reside in regions with less than 15% of hospital ICU capacity will be prohibited from having private gatherings of any size. The order further closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others.

As of Thursday, it was reported the Sacramento region had 22% capacity left in its intensive care units, keeping it (for the moment) above the 15% threshold. However, ICU utilization has been climbing over the past few weeks, and the Newsom administration projected Sacramento Region ICUs may exceed capacity by December 24 if coronavirus infections continue at the recent pace.

Please note this order does not impact the construction industry. All areas of construction continue to be deemed essential, and work on construction projects can continue in all areas of the state.
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A copy of the governor’s announcement can be viewed here.
SRBX will continue to monitor information from the governor’s office and will inform members of any significant changes or impacts to the construction industry.

​Under another set of changing guidelines, an equity metric system, counties must show a decrease in COVID-19 cases in disadvantaged neighborhoods before indoor activities can resume. All counties must submit a plan to the State and disclose how funds will be invested to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Data on Racial Demographics here. Read more here.

All public counters in California remain closed at this time.

​SACRAMENTO – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is announcing that seven of its eight test centers around California will reopen today Monday, June 15, 2020. Most of the centers will have expanded hours each day to accommodate an additional test session for applicants.

The test centers, located in Berkeley, Fresno, Norwalk, Oxnard, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, and San Jose, closed on March 19, 2020 to help limit the spread of COVID-19. All test centers with exception of Berkeley will open next Monday.

CSLB staff have remained on-duty during the test center shutdown, processing license applications and assisting applicants in their efforts to prepare for their licensing exams. Most applicants must take and pass two exams for licensure. It is typical to have about 4,500 pending exams. While closed, the number of exams waiting to be taken grew to more than 9,000.

It will take some time to get these numbers down, as we will operate with reduced testing capacity to comply with physical distancing requirements. To make up for lost seats, CSLB has turned its Sacramento headquarters hearing room and a conference room at its Norwalk office into auxiliary test centers.

Even so, the number of tests CSLB will be able to administer each day will be 10% less than before the COVID-19 health emergency.

CSLB is taking special steps to make sure test centers are safe for both applicants and staff. They include disinfecting test stations after each candidate finishes their exams.

There are two important items of note for candidates:

1. To be admitted into a test center, candidates must wear a mask or other face covering
2. If you appear ill, CSLB will require you to reschedule your exam at least 5-days later, at no additional charge
3. Candidates will not be admitted into the test center more than 15 minutes prior to their exam time

The best way to reach CSLB staff with questions regarding applications or exams is via email: For Licensing or License Application Questions/Issues:  Licensing@cslb.ca.gov
Be sure to include your phone number and other relevant information, such as license number, application fee number, and any other information that will help staff provide you a thorough response.

To Reschedule a Cancelled Exam:  Exams@cslb.ca.gov
Be sure to include your name and application number. Please note that CSLB is waiving the rescheduling fee for cancelled exams.