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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
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Effective Dates: Nov. 30, 2020 - June 17, 2021

§3205.3. COVID-19 Prevention in Employer-Provided Housing.


For the current version of this regulation, see the Title 8, Section 3205.3

(a) Scope. This section applies to employer-provided housing. Employer-provided housing is any place or area of land, any portion of any housing accommodation, or property upon which a housing accommodation is located, consisting of: living quarters, dwelling, boardinghouse, tent, bunkhouse, maintenance-of-way car, mobile home, manufactured home, recreational vehicle, travel trailer, or other housing accommodations. Employer-provided housing includes a “labor camp” as that term is used in title 8 of the California Code of Regulations or other regulations or codes. The employer-provided housing may be maintained in one or more buildings or one or more sites, including hotels and motels, and the premises upon which they are situated, or the area set aside and provided for parking of mobile homes or camping. Employer-provided housing is housing that is arranged for or provided by an employer, other person, or entity to workers, and in some cases to workers and persons in their households, in connection with the workers' employment, whether or not rent or fees are paid or collected.
The following exceptions apply:
(1) This section does not apply to housing provided for the purpose of emergency response, including firefighting, rescue, and evacuation, and support activities directly aiding response such as utilities, communications, and medical operations, if:
(A) The employer is a government entity; or
(B) The housing is provided temporarily by a private employer and is necessary to conduct the emergency response operations.
(2) Subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (h) do not apply to occupants who maintained a household together prior to residing in employer-provided housing, such as family members, when no other persons outside the household are present.
(b) Assignment of housing units. Employers shall ensure that shared housing unit assignments are prioritized in the following order:
(1) Residents who usually maintain a household together outside of work, such as family members, shall be housed in the same housing unit without other persons.
(2) Residents who work in the same crew or work together at the same worksite shall be housed in the same housing unit without other persons.
(3) Employees who do not usually maintain a common household, work crew, or worksite shall be housed in the same housing unit only when no other housing alternatives are possible.
(c) Physical distancing and controls. Employers shall:
(1) Ensure the premises are of sufficient size and layout to permit at least six feet of physical distancing between residents in housing units, common areas, and other areas of the premises.
(2) Ensure beds are spaced at least six feet apart in all directions and positioned to maximize the distance between sleepers' heads. For beds positioned next to each other, i.e. side by side, the beds shall be arranged so that the head of one bed is next to the foot of the next bed. For beds positioned across from each other, i.e. end to end, the beds shall be arranged so that the foot of one bed is closest to the foot of the next bed. Bunk beds shall not be used.
(3) In housing units, maximize the quantity and supply of outdoor air and increase filtration efficiency to the highest level compatible with the existing ventilation system.
(d) Face coverings. Employers shall provide face coverings to all residents and provide information to residents on when they should be used in accordance with state or local health officer orders or guidance.
(e) Cleaning and disinfecting.
(1) Employers shall ensure that housing units, kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas are effectively cleaned and disinfected at least once a day to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cleaning and disinfecting shall be done in a manner that protects the privacy of residents.
(2) Employers shall ensure that unwashed dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, and similar items are not shared.
(f) Screening. The employer shall encourage residents to report COVID-19 symptoms to the employer.
(g) COVID-19 testing. The employer shall establish, implement, and maintain effective policies and procedures for COVID-19 testing of occupants who had a COVID-19 exposure, who have COVID-19 symptoms, or as recommended by the local health department.
(h) Isolation of COVID-19 cases and persons with COVID-19 exposure.
(1) Employers shall effectively isolate COVID-19 exposed residents from all other occupants. Effective isolation shall include providing COVID-19 exposed residents with a private bathroom, sleeping area, and cooking and eating facility.
(2) Employers shall effectively isolate COVID-19 cases from all occupants who are not COVID-19 cases. Effective isolation shall include housing COVID-19 cases only with other COVID-19 cases, and providing COVID-19 case occupants with a sleeping area, bathroom, and cooking and eating facility that is not shared by non-COVID-19 case occupants.
(3) Personal identifying information regarding COVID-19 cases and persons with COVID-19 symptoms shall be kept confidential in accordance with subsections 3205(c)(3)(C) and 3205(c)(3)(D).
(4) Employers shall end isolation in accordance with subsections 3205(c)(10) and (c)(11) and any applicable local or state health officer orders.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 144.6, Labor Code.
HISTORY
1. New section filed 11-30-2020 as an emergency; operative 11-30-2020. Emergency expiration extended 60 days (Executive Order N-40-20) plus an additional 60 days (Executive Order N-71-20) (Register 2020, No. 49). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 10-1-2021 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.