Title
Human Resources Department, Risk Management Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and adopt revisions to Board of Supervisors Policy E-13: COVID-19 Prevention Program and grant the Director of Human Resources the authority to:
a) Make any changes necessary to update hyperlinks within the policy should they change over time;
b) Make changes to the Policy that are either non-substantive or necessary to accord with changes to relevant statutes or regulations; and
2) Rescind Board of Supervisors Policy E-11 COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California Occupational Safety and Health Act, also referred to as Cal/OSHA, (Labor Code §§ 6300, et seq.) and associated regulations (8 C.C.R. § 3205) required the County to develop a Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) Prevention Program (CPP) policy to provide employees with information about COVID-19 health and safety requirements. This policy applies to all County employees except for County employees who are telecommuting at their remote locations. The Board of Supervisors adopted Policy E-13: COVID-19 Prevention Program (Policy E-13), on January 12, 2021.
On June 17, 2021, Cal/OSHA adopted revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards; Governor Gavin Newsom subsequently signed an executive order to allow the revisions to immediately take effect on June 17. The subsequent revisions to Policy E-13 were approved by the Board of Supervisors on August 10, 2021.
The Human Resources Department is recommending additional modifications to Policy E-13 for Board adoption consistent with the updated standards adopted by Cal/OSHA.
On June 30, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted policy E-11 - COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines. The Human Resources Department is recommending rescinding this policy as it is no longer in line with current regulations from Cal/OSHA and the California Department of Public Health.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the recommended changes, direct staff to make additional modifications, or take no action.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On June 30, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted E-11 - COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines (Legistar #20-0821)
On January 12, 2021, the Board of Supervisors adopted E-13 - COVID-19 Prevention Policy (Legistar #21-0020)
On August 10, 2021 the Board of Supervisors adopted revisions to policy E-13 COVID-19 Prevention Policy (Legistar# 21-1209)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
All Departments
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no direct financial impact to updating this policy. Indirectly, the proposed policy should assist in minimizing the County’s liability.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
The Clerk of the Board will update the online Board Policy Manual with the approved changes, notify all department heads, as well as any and all Chairs or staff for applicable boards, committees, and commissions.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Joseph Carruesco, Director of Human Resources