Court COVID-19 Safety Update - January 15, 2021

Dear OCEA member,

As many of you know, the State of California's Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard defines a “major outbreak” as 20 or more COVID-19 cases in an exposed workplace within a 30-day period.

Based on the numbers compiled from the Court’s responses to our Request for Information (RFI), the following three (3) OCSC worksites appear to be experiencing a major outbreak:

Central Justice Center, Lamoureaux Justice Center, and West Justice Center. The ETS require the Court to take actions at each major outbreak worksite that include the following steps:

• Provide immediate testing to all employees in the exposed workplace at least twice weekly until there are no new cases detected for a 14-day period;
• Exclude positive cases and exposures from work;
• Clean areas where a COVID-19 case has been during the “high-risk period;"
• Investigate the workplace COVID-19 case to identify source, causes, and potential exposures.

There are several other ETS-mandated steps we have included in a demand letter sent to the Court today urgently requesting information on the Court's response to the crisis including a consistent procedure for reporting, documenting, and responding to exposures, and a clearly defined policy for testing, contact tracing, and workplace mitigation.

It is OCEA's position that these elements are the minimum requirements for complying with the ETS.

When covered employers, such as the Courts, effectively implement the ETS, they slow the transmission of COVID-19, reduce exposure risks for frontline workers, and protect the community as a whole. If you see unsafe working conditions, notify your immediate supervisor, manager, or Human Resources representative. You can also notify your OCEA Steward or staff representative if you feel unsafe or observe any unsafe conditions.

We will continue to demand compliance to workplace mandates and policies that protect you, your coworkers, and your families.

In Solidarity,

Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: January 15, 2021