February 5, 2025 – Cal/OSHA Ends COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency: Employers Must Still Address Workplace Safety and Reporting Obligations
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has officially ended most COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards as of February 2025. These regulations, initially implemented on February 3, 2023, were set to remain in effect for two years. However, some reporting and recordkeeping requirements will continue until 2026.
What Employers Still Need to Do
Even though the specific COVID-19 prevention regulations have expired, employers must still comply with California’s general workplace safety laws, including:
- Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace as required under Labor Code section 6400.
- Implementing and maintaining an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) in accordance with Title 8, California Code of Regulations, section 3203.
- Identifying and addressing COVID-19 hazards if they determine that COVID-19 remains a workplace risk.
Ongoing COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
While prevention measures have ended, reporting and recordkeeping obligations (Title 8, Subsection 3205(j)) remain in place until February 3, 2026. Employers must:
- Track all COVID-19 cases with detailed records, including employee names, job locations, and positive test dates.
- Retain these records for two years beyond the required period.
- Provide COVID-19 case information to local health departments, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Cal/OSHA, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) when requested or required by law.
For additional details, visit the Cal/OSHA Archived COVID-19 Guidance and Resources page.
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