On Thursday, September 9th, Presiden Biden released what is being called the "Path Out of the Pandemic Plan." The Plan, which focuses in part on workplace safety, calls for businesses with more than 100 employees to require proof of vaccination or mandatory weekly testing and masking. Additionally, the plan gives authority to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to codify this requirement through emergency rule-making and authorizes state OSHA plans, such as the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) to conduct enforcement efforts. The Plan does not give details on the specifics of how businesses will be designated, or what enforcement efforts will look like; however, we do know that OSHA is currently constructing its guidance for states. The Department of Labor expects to receive this guidance in the coming weeks, and will work to ensure that Vermont workers and employers are fully aware of the associated workplace safety requirements and their rights under the law.
Click here to view the President's Path Out of the Pandemic Plan.
Sincerely,
Michael Harrington
Commissioner
Vermont Department of Labor