(a) When, in the opinion of the division, a place of employment, machine, device, apparatus, or equipment or any part thereof is in a dangerous condition, is not properly guarded or is dangerously placed so as to constitute an imminent hazard to employees, entry therein, or the use thereof, as the case may be, shall be prohibited by the division, and a conspicuous notice to that effect shall be attached thereto. Such prohibition of use shall be limited to the immediate area in which the imminent hazard exists, and the division shall not prohibit any entry in or use of a place of employment, machine, device, apparatus, or equipment, or any part thereof, which is outside such area of imminent hazard. Such notice shall not be removed except by an authorized representative of the division, nor until the place of employment, machine, device, apparatus, or equipment is made safe and the required safeguards or safety appliances or devices are provided. This subdivision shall not prevent the entry or use with the division’s knowledge and permission for the sole purpose of eliminating the dangerous conditions.
(b) When, in the opinion of the division, a place of employment, operation, or process, or any part thereof, exposes workers to the risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) so as to constitute an imminent hazard to employees, the performance of such operation or process, or entry into such place of employment, as the case may be, may be prohibited by the division, and a notice thereof shall be provided to the employer and posted in a conspicuous place at the place of employment. Such prohibition of use shall be limited to the immediate area in which the imminent hazard exists, and the division shall not prohibit the performance of any operation or process, entry into or use of a place of employment, or any part thereof, which is not exposing employees to, or is outside such area of imminent hazard. In addition, this prohibition shall be issued in a manner so as not to materially interrupt the performance of critical governmental functions essential to ensuring public health and safety functions or the delivery of electrical power or water. This notice shall not be removed except by an authorized representative of the division, nor until the place of employment, operation, or process is made safe and the required safeguards or safety appliances or devices are provided. This subdivision shall not prevent the entry or use with the division’s knowledge and permission for the sole purpose of eliminating the dangerous conditions.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 84, Sec. 2. (AB 685) Effective January 1, 2021. Repealed as of January 1, 2023, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 3 of Stats. 2020, Ch. 84.)