New CDPH Testing and PPE Requirements for Unvaccinated Health Care Workers
On July 26, CDPH released a new state public health officer order that requires health care and congregate settings, including hospitals, to ensure that unvaccinated personnel undergo at least weekly COVID-19 testing and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Grants Available to Address Health Care Worker Burnout, Strengthen Resiliency
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced the availability of $103 million in grants over a three-year period to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health care workforce.
California Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Missed Meal, Rest, and Recovery Period Compensation
A recent California Supreme Court decision on meal, rest, and recovery period violations could have major implications for many of the state’s employers — including hospitals.
Cal/OSHA Approves Emergency Regulation on PPE Consumption, Issues FAQs
On June 8, Cal/OSHA submitted emergency regulations to the Office of Administrative Law to define “normal consumption.” As currently drafted, the emergency regulation defines “normal consumption” as the average consumption of specified personal protective equipment (PPE) type and size over a two- year period, with a 200% cap. This approach raises significant concerns, as CHA believes that […]
Third Time’s the Charm? Cal/OSHA Approves New COVID-19 Temporary Standard
After a tumultuous two-week period at the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, the board is expected to promulgate a new COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) on June 17.
CHA Issues Comment Letter on Cal/OSHA Emergency Regulations for PPE Consumption
CHA has submitted comments to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on Cal/OSHA’s June 8 emergency regulations pertaining to the stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE), which define “normal consumption” as the average consumption of specified PPE type and size over a two-year period, with a 200% cap.
Federal OSHA Releases COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard but Cal/OSHA Standards Still Apply to CA Hospitals
On June 10, after much fanfare and expectation, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a COVID-19 emergency temporary standard for hospitals and other health care settings. However, existing California guidance and regulations on masking and social distancing must be followed by California hospitals.
Emergency Cal/OSHA Regulations Seek to Define Normal Consumption of PPE
Last year, to combat COVID-19, Gov. Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2537 (Rodriguez), which required all acute care hospitals to create and maintain a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) equal to three months of normal consumption. As the phrase “normal consumption” was undefined in the bill, this created significant confusion for hospitals.
New COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard Issued by OSHSB
The Hospital Association of Southern California has released a COVID-19 Vaccination Communications Toolkit that contains customizable fliers, posters, and social media assets that hospitals can share via their own communications platforms.
Because undecided individuals tend to act when people they trust speak positively aboutCOVID-19 shots, health care professionals can play an important role in countering vaccine misinformation and complacency to get more Californians vaccinated.
Annual Increase in L.A.’s Minimum Wage Takes Effect July 1; Hospitals Need to Update Labor Law Posters
In 2016, the city of Los Angeles enacted an annual, phased-in minimum wage increase that was modeled after the state’s minimum wage law. The city’s minimum wage is separate and higher than the state minimum wage. On July 1, the minimum wage in the city of Los Angeles will increase to $15 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees.