[Virginia] New COVID-19 safety standards for employers to follow

From July 27, 2020, Virginia will be among the first American states to implement comprehensive, mandatory safety regulations for employees returning to work during and after COVID-19.  Governor Ralph Northam announced that the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board had voted to adopt an emergency temporary standard - §16VAC25-220 - intended to “control, prevent, and mitigate the spread of” COVID-19, in a press release last week. (Links via original reporting)

The emergency standard sets down specific rules and safety precautions - based on the level of risk exposure the employee is subjected to in their job tasks- that must be followed by every employer and employee in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It also contains an anti-discrimination provision. The National Law Review has details of the new risk exposure levels and the safety standards for employers and employees to follow.

From July 27, 2020, Virginia will be among the first American states to implement comprehensive, mandatory safety regulations for employees returning to work during and after COVID-19.  Governor Ralph Northam announced that the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board had voted to adopt an emergency temporary standard - §16VAC25-220 - intended to “control, prevent, and mitigate the spread of” COVID-19, in a press release last week. (Links via original reporting)

The emergency standard sets down specific rules and safety precautions - based on the level of risk exposure the employee is subjected to in their job tasks- that must be followed by every employer and employee in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It also contains an anti-discrimination provision. The National Law Review has details of the new risk exposure levels and the safety standards for employers and employees to follow.