California Division of Occupational Safety and Health
FILE - In this June 11, 2021, file photo, customers wear face masks in an outdoor mall with closed businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles. California regulators on Thursday, June 17, 2021, are set to approve revised worksite pandemic rules that allow fully vaccinated employees the same freedoms as when they are off the job. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
California drops workplace mask rule for vaccinated workers

By Don Thompson Jun. 17, 2021 12:03 AM EDT

A server tends to customers in an outdoor dining area amid the COVID-19 pandemic on The Promenade Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Regulators withdraw controversial California work mask rules

By Don Thompson Jun. 10, 2021 01:34 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 26, 2021, file photo, Timothy Musomba wears a mask while viewing sculptures at the newly re-opened Getty Center amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles. Business and agricultural groups are renewing their criticism of new rules adopted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom's workplace regulators. But there is little chance they can quickly change them unless Newsom steps in, which he seemed disinclined to do Friday. Critics say the rules conflict with the state's broader lifting of masking and other pandemic precautions in less than two weeks. They mean workers will have to wear masks unless every employee in the room is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. That differs from broader rules taking effect June 15 that say fully vaccinated people can skip face coverings and distancing in nearly all situations. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
California regulators withdraw controversial work mask rules

By Don Thompson Jun. 09, 2021 12:13 AM EDT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom listens to questions during a news conference outside a restaurant in San Francisco, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. Business and agricultural groups are renewing their criticism of new rules adopted by Gov. Newsom's workplace regulators. But there is little chance they can quickly change them unless Newsom steps in, which he seemed disinclined to do Friday.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Calif. governor seems unlikely to lift worker mask mandate

By Don Thompson Jun. 04, 2021 01:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 14, 2021, file photo, a worker wears a mask while prepares desserts at the Universal City Walk, in Universal City, Calif. California workplace regulators are considering Thursday, June 3, 2021, whether to end mask rules if every employee in a room has been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, frustrating business groups by eying a higher standard than the state plans to soon adopt for social settings. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Most vaccinated California workers must keep masks on

By Don Thompson Jun. 03, 2021 01:03 AM EDT

Workers and customers wear masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic inside a shoe store Thursday, May 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. California regulators will shoot for a mid-June easing of workplace masking and social distancing requirements to conform with a broader state order. They asked to delay a debate Thursday on how quickly they should drop coronavirus safety rules for employees. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
California delays debate on easing virus rules for workers

By Don Thompson May. 20, 2021 04:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2013, file photo, is an entryway into a Foster Farms chicken plant in Fresno, Calif. Local health officials gave a heads-up to a California chicken processing plant about a state inspection during the largest known COVID-19 workplace outbreak in Fresno County, The Fresno Bee reported, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, citing emails obtained through the Public Records Act. Hundreds were infected in the outbreak late last year at a Foster Farms plant in Fresno and at least five workers have died. (AP Photo/The Fresno Bee, Craig Kohlruss)
Report: Fresno chicken plant got tip about virus inspection

Mar. 18, 2021 02:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 9, 2020, file photo, a correctional officer closes the main gate at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, Calif. California workplace safety officials announced Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, that San Quentin rocked by one of the nation's worst coronavirus outbreaks has been hit with by far its largest pandemic-related fine yet against an employer. The $421,880 fine is several times higher than any others levied by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, commonly known as Cal/OSHA. Only a few others exceed $100,000 and most are a few thousand dollars. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
Record virus fine hits California prison with worst outbreak

By Don Thompson Feb. 04, 2021 09:04 PM EST

Food plant cited for failing to protect workers from virus

Sep. 10, 2020 05:05 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s workplace safety regulator has cited a frozen food manufacturer and its temporary employment agency for failing to protect...