Colorado § 8-14.4-109 - Agricultural employers - responsibilities during public health emergency - worker safety protections - definition.

§ 8-14.4-109. Agricultural employers - responsibilities during public health emergency - worker safety protections - definition.

(1) During a public health emergency, in addition to the other protections and rights afforded to workers, a principal engaged in agricultural employment shall:

(a) (I) Except as provided in subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section, provide each worker living in employer-provided housing with:

(A) In a single-occupancy unit where the worker is housed alone, at least eighty square feet of combined sleeping and living quarters;

(B) In multiple-occupancy housing, at least one hundred square feet of sleeping quarters per worker and one hundred twenty square feet of space per worker in areas used for combined purposes such as meal preparation and eating; and

(C) In all housing, screened windows that open to the outside or living space that has an air filtration system.

(II) A principal engaged in agricultural employment may, as an alternative to complying with subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section, comply with alternative protections applicable to housing identified in a public health order issued by the department.

(b) Provide each worker actively engaged in the open-range production of livestock with:

(I) A single occupancy mobile housing unit, regardless of any variances otherwise available pursuant to 20 CFR 655.235; or

(II) Alternative protections applicable to housing identified in a public health order issued by the department;

(c) Allow the department to consult with the department of public health and environment in enforcing this section;

(d) Provide training to workers concerning safety precautions and protections during a public health emergency; and

(e) Provide informational and educational materials through posters and pamphlets written in English and Spanish and any other relevant languages in employer-provided housing, work sites, and other places where the principal usually posts information for the workers that:

(I) Lists the contact information for the Migrant Farm Worker Division of Colorado Legal Services, or its successor organization, where a worker may receive free and confidential legal services; and

(II) Informs the workers regarding federal and state guidance concerning a public health emergency.

(2) As used in this section, "public health emergency" means a statewide public health emergency declared by executive order regarding COVID-19, the coronavirus disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, also known as SARS-CoV-2, or another communicable disease as defined in section 25-1.5-102 (1)(a)(IV) that is transmissible from person to person.

Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (SB 21-087), ch. 337, p. 2184, § 8, effective June 25. L. 2022: (1)(a), (1)(b), and (1)(c) amended and (2) added, (HB 22-1313), ch. 373, p. 2654, § 1, effective June 3.

Workers' Compensation Cost Containment

Cross references: For the "Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado", see articles 40 to 47 of this title.

8-14.5 ARTICLE 14.5

Cost Containment

8-14.5-101. Short title.

8-14.5-102. Legislative declaration.

8-14.5-103. Definitions.

8-14.5-104. Creation of board.

8-14.5-105. Powers and duties of board - rules.

8-14.5-106. Duties of director.

8-14.5-107. Cost containment certification.

8-14.5-107.5. Workplace safety programs - study by commissioner.

8-14.5-108. Cost containment fund - creation.

8-14.5-109. Grants-in-aid - cooperative agreements.

8-14.5-110. Repeal of article. (Repealed)