In accordance with the New York Hero Act, the State Department of Labor has published a model disease prevention protocol and has designated dates for compliance.  A generally-applicable model protocol was released on July 7th together with specific models for industries including agriculture.  Employers are now required to either adopt the model or create an applicable airborne disease prevention program by August 6th.  By the following month, safety protocols must be implemented.  Requirements follow the best practices applied during the 2020 COVID outbreaks in plants, including health screening, face covering, social distancing and decontamination of the workplace.

The regulations issued in terms of the New York Hero Act prevent retaliation and reprisals against employees and make provision for Workplace Safety Committees required by November 1st 2021.