Oregon OSHA Adopted Rules - Federal and Oregon-initiated Changes

Oregon OSHA adopted changes to rules in general industry, construction, agriculture, and maritime. Federal OSHA published a number of rule changes in these industries in the June 8, 2011 Federal Register. This is Phase III of the Standards Improvement Project (SIP III), the third in a series of rulemaking by Federal OSHA to improve and streamline the standards. This removes or revises individual requirements within rules that are confusing, outdated, duplicative, or inconsistent.

In connection with rule changes in the SIP III rulemaking process, Oregon OSHA adopted additional changes to the subdivisions and rules opened during this rulemaking activity. We also made reference changes to Underground Installations in Division 3/P.

Oregon OSHA repealed all of Division 2/I rules with the exception of 1910.134 Respiratory Protection, 1910.137 Electrical Protective Equipment, 437-002-0138 Additional Oregon Rule for Electrical Protective Equipment, 437-002-0139 Working Underway on Water, and 437-002-1139 Working Over or in Water.

To replace them, we adopted new Oregon-initiated rule, 437-002-0134 Personal Protective Equipment, that includes sections covering scope/application, hazard assessment, equipment, training, payment, fall protection, clothing, high visibility garments, eye, head, foot, leg, hand and skin protection.

The change in format simplifies the existing text while making little change to the overall rule requirements with the following exceptions:

Modifies the hazard assessment requirement to clarify that employers must identify hazards to the entire body, including the torso and extremities, when performing the assessment. The assessment is currently limited to head, hands, eyes and face and foot protection. Note: The assessment for eyes, face head, hands, and feet are currently in effect. The torso and extremities (e.g. arms and legs) element of the body assessment will not be enforced until July 1, 2012.

Change the fall protection component criteria to align with the systems criteria found in 1926.502 of the construction standards. The training requirement in this rule would also cover those parts not previously covered, such as fall protection.

Please use this direct link to the coverletter, filing document, and text of changes for this rulemaking. Or, go to our web site www.orosha.org and select Rules/Compliance from the left vertical list, then click on Adopted Rules.

This is Oregon OSHA Administrative Order 4-2011, adopted and effective December 8, 2011.