California - Los Angeles County requires employers to provide masks to employees

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has issued an order requiring all employers to provide masks to employees who work indoors and in close contact with other works or the public. Employers must provide masks as soon as possible but no later than Jan. 17, 2022.

The Details:

Under the LACDPH’s order, employers must provide employees with and require them to wear a well-fitting medical grade mask, surgical mask, or higher-level respirator, such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator. or KN95, at all times while indoors at the worksite or facility. The mask requirement applies regardless of vaccination status.

Note: Employers are also subject to mask requirements set by the state. Employers should consult legal counsel to discuss the impact of these rules on their policies and practices.

Exceptions:

A list of exemptions from the county’s mask requirement is available here. Under the order, workers who cannot feasibly wear a mask while performing their work and aren’t fully vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) must be tested for COVID-19 twice per week. Workers who cannot feasibly wear a mask while performing their work and are fully vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) should be tested for COVID-19 once per week.

Next Steps:

• Read the LACDPH’s order.
• Refer to the county’s guidance on masks.
• Notify employees.
• ·Make sure supervisors are trained on how to enforce the requirement.
• Coordinate compliance with state requirements for masks and consult legal counsel if necessary.
• Watch for developments.