Oregon OSHA updates COVID rules for workplaces, labor housing

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday announced permanent amendments to rules addressing COVID-19 risks in the workplace and employer-provided labor housing.

During the comment period from Sept. 30, 2021, to Nov. 12, 2021, Oregon OSHA received more than 350 written comments on the proposed changes to Rules Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks. Based on the comments received, amendments include a clarification on training requirements, minor changes to enhance readability, and an exclusion of outdoor workplaces to the rules on masking requirements.

The physical distancing requirements have been lifted outside health care and transit settings. Except for health care settings, Oregon OSHA no longer requires employers to regularly clean or sanitize all common areas, shared equipment, and high-touch surfaces.

Amendments to the rules on COVID-19 Workplace Requirements for Employer-Provided Labor Housing include the removal of facial covering requirements while in the labor-housing home environment and adopted language that an employee who chooses to wear a mask, face shield, or face covering, even when it is not required, must be allowed to do so.

Additionally, language was added to allow an employee to wear a filtering facepiece respirator. The requirements to have physical distancing monitors and enforce physical distancing in dining areas or at mealtimes were removed from the rule. The rule retained the “Air Purification Method” and the “Additional Capacity Reduction Method” for calculating square footage for spaces where people sleep. Lastly, transportation provisions were removed.