Oregon OSHA Releases Near Final Draft of its COVID-19 Standard

Oregon OSHA has released its “Near Final Draft” of a COVID-19 Temporary Standard. This proposed new regulation sets forth a number of new rules for how an employer must operate in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and respond to any positive cases among its employees. The regulation applies to employers and building operators.

The draft of the regulation can be found here: https://osha.oregon.gov/rules/advisory/infectiousdisease/Documents/Oregon-OSHA-Draft-Temporary-COVID-19-Rule-Sept-25-2020.pdf

Oregon indicates the new regulation will be in effect by November 1, 2020.

The new regulation will require each employer to:

1. Prepare a risk assessment consistent with the new regulation in a process that involves employee participation.
2. Ensure that face covering requirements are met by employees and customers.
3. Appoint a “distancing officer” to ensure the six-foot distancing rule is enforced.
4. Conduct specified training and post information in the workplace.
5. Clean common areas and equipment as set forth in the new regulation.
6. Comply with ventilation requirements.
7. Reassign employees to positions that do not involve contact with other employees or the public when a public health agency or medical provider recommends employee quarantine or isolation.
8. Advise other employees when an employee tests positive for COVID-19.
9. Comply with industry/activity-specific guidance set forth in an appendix to the rule.

Oregon OSHA envisions that a permanent regulation may be promulgated in spring of next year.