Employers await OSHA vaccine mandate Email
Written by Colorado Green NOW   
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 04:00 AM

Colorado Green Now

Earlier this month, President Biden announced a plan for OSHA to develop proposed rules requiring some employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees. The emergency temporary standards, which have not yet been released, would affect employers with 100 employees or more. Many questions remain about the rules, compliance, and enforcement, but employers should be aware of the forthcoming rules and prepare as best they can.

The mandate is expected to be challenged in court, but having a communications plan and plan for record-keeping is good preparation for companies to be affected by the rules. Experts recommend that employers do what they can to be ready for implementation, as the timeline for compliance and enforcement could be short.

“ALCC is following this announcement and will communicate with the Colorado landscape industry when we have more information,” said John McMahon, CEO of ALCC. “There are a lot of unknowns, including who will be responsible for the cost of the required COVID tests for those who choose not to receive the vaccine; whether seasonal workers count toward the ‘100 employees or more’ threshold; and what type of record-keeping will be required.”

All employers are already required to provide paid time off for COVID-19 vaccines and for recuperating from any effects of the vaccine.

A White House task force is developing additional requirements related to COVID vaccines for companies with federal government contracts. This could apply to all employers—not just those with 100+ employees—if they contract or subcontract with the federal government.