Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

3.21.22 COVID Bulletin: State Reverses Course on HERO Act

Blog Categories

March 21, 2022

Without fanfare, the New York State Department of Labor updated its website to announce the relaxation of some NY HERO Act provisions. Employers can now forego enforcing their workplace safety plans.  

Private-sector employers are no longer required to implement their workforce safety plans. However, employers are still required to have an airborne infectious disease plan on hand. Copies must be provided to all employees and new hires. The plan should be included in the employee handbook and must also be posted in the workplace. Plans should be regularly updated. Resources to help you with your prevention plan are available here. 

The timing of DOL’s decision ran counter to the Governor’s announcement last week. that she was extending New York’s COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration through April.  It had been previously understood that an extension of the Emergency declaration would, in fact, extend full implementation of the HERO Act.     

The state’s inadequate and confusing distribution of information regarding the HERO Act remains a burden for employers, and the BNP will continue to communicate this fact to state leaders.  

Despite the confusion, employers should remain on guard for future COVID spikes. The state can trigger the HERO Act again in the future, which would require you to implement your workplace safety plan again. The BNP will update you immediately should this happen.  

The HERO Act still allows for the formation of workplace safety committees, and employers must respond to workplace health and safety concerns raised by committees. More information on workplace safety committees is available here.  

Related Posts

Staff Spotlight: Meet Arcadea Scott

By communications@thepartnership.org | March 5, 2025

We are pleased to welcome Arcadea Scott, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, in our latest Staff Spotlight featured blog post.

Get to know Arcadea in this brief Q&A!

Legislative priorities: BNP’s reaction to the Executive Budget

By communications@thepartnership.org | February 26, 2025

On February 14, we set the stage for critical discussions about the future of New York State’s economy by convening regional business leaders and policymakers, along with BNP members, at the 1970 Club in KeyBank Center for our Legislative Luncheon.

Staff Spotlight: Meet Jessica Dolly

By communications@thepartnership.org | January 29, 2025

We are pleased to welcome Jessica Dolly, our new Marketing Coordinator, as our latest Staff Spotlight.

Get to know Jessica in this brief Q and A!

2025 Advocacy Agenda: Shaping the future

By communications@thepartnership.org | January 16, 2025

On Jan 9, our signature Government Affairs event unveiled the strategies and priorities that will guide our work this year with policymakers.