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Oregon OSHA has announced the adoption of new, permanent Wildfire Smoke Exposure and Heat Illness Prevention rules to protect workers in hazardous conditions. 

​Following an order from Governor Kate Brown, OSHA is directing employers to implement exposure controls, and develop training for all employees by the rules’ effective dates. Alongside this, employers must develop training for all employees regarding their own safety and defense from hazardous conditions by the rules’ effective dates.

Heat Illness Prevention rules go into effect June 15, 2022.

These rules require job site action when the heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Employers must develop and implement exposure controls for their workers to actively prevent heat illness, encourage them to stay hydrated, and know how to respond to heat illness. These rules also require employers to provide provisions to keep their employees safe through practical means, such as providing effective shaded/cooling areas, auxiliary cooling equipment, cooled drinking water, and emergency response if necessary.

Wildfire Smoke Protection rules go into effect July 1, 2022.

These rules go into effect when employees are, or will be, exposed to wildfire smoke where the air concentration equals or exceeds an AQI 101. Employers must develop and implement exposure controls for their workers to reduce their exposure to hazardous AQI/PM 2.5 levels and know how to respond to smoke exposure/inhalation if and when it occurs at their jobsites. These rules also require employers to provide provisions to keep their employees safe in the face of a smoky atmosphere, including providing NIOSH-approved masks and respirators, AQI measuring tools, and two-way communication tools.