While the state of Florida is known for taking a stand-off approach to enforcing occupational safety rules, such as vaccination requirements, following state, federal, and St. Petersburg workplace health guidelines can help protect both employers and employees.
From an employer standpoint, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment can help limit potential liability for employee injuries, illnesses, or deaths that occur during the course of their employment. In addition, taking care of employees' needs can create better morale and may reduce employee turnover, sick calls, and workers' compensation claims.
A safe workplace also benefits employees by reducing the number of work-related injuries or illnesses. Understanding how to access St. Petersburg occupational health services can also help employees take advantage of certain benefits and allow them to report an unsafe workplace before an accident, injury, or death occurs.
While there are very few St. Petersburg occupational health laws, there are some regulations on record that help protect the health and safety of police officers, firefighters, and the public.
For example, as of January 1, 2021, all newly hired officers with the St. Petersburg Police Department must pass the Cooper Standards of Fitness test annually. Requirements vary based on the employee's age bracket.
To be accepted for employment with the St. Petersburg Fire Department, candidates must be deemed to be in good physical and mental health by a licensed physician, pass a controlled drug screening, be free from tobacco use for at least one year, and meet eye and vision requirements.
More recently, the state of Florida passed several occupational health laws to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying vaccine mandates. On November 18, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis passed House Bill 1-B, which prohibits private employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations without opt-out provisions, and House Bill 3-B, which exempts employees who report employer COVID-19 vaccine violations from public-records requirements.
On the same day, Governor DeSantis initiated a plan for the state to exit the jurisdiction of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) program by signing House Bill 5B into law. This will allow the state of Florida to create its own OSHA and provided the governor's office with $1 million to create a proposal. It could be some time before Florida's workplace occupational health program goes into effect. When it does, it still won't fully free the state from the oversight of the federal OSHA.
