Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Nonemergency Rules Expire Feb. 3

On Feb. 3, 2025, most of the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (Cal/OSHA) nonemergency COVID-19 prevention regulations (the rules) expire. These regulations were adopted to reduce employee exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19, thereby reducing workplace COVID-19 illness and transmission.

The COVID-19 recordkeeping requirement will remain in effect until Feb. 3, 2026. Even though these rules are expiring, employers should continue to monitor COVID-19 hazards under the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) rule.

Recordkeeping

Until Feb. 3, 2026, employers must continue to keep a record of and track all COVID-19 cases. The following information must be collected for each case:

• Employee’s name;
• Contact information;
• Occupation;
• The 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.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, employers were no longer required to retain the notices required by subsection 3205(e) in accordance with Labor Code Section 6409.6 or any successor law.

The notice requirement in the rules expires on Feb. 3, 2025. Since the labor code has expired and the notice requirement will expire, employers will no longer be required to follow them.

Employer Next Steps

California employers must continue to perform the required recordkeeping requirements of COVID-19 cases until Feb. 3, 2026. In addition, employers should make sure that their IIPPs are updated and address all possible hazards to prevent any violation issues.

Article Published By: Zywave, Inc.