Oregon OSHA – Proposed Changes to Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements in Division 1, General Administrative Rules

Public Hearings Scheduled for:

February 26, 2015
10:00 am
Oregon OSHA, Fremont Place, Building I
1750 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 112
Portland, OR 97209-2533

March 3, 2015
1:00 pm
Oregon OSHA, Red Oaks Square
1230 NE Third Street, Suite A-115
Bend, OR 97701-4374

March 5, 2015
10:00 am
Oregon OSHA
1140 Willagillespie, Suite 42
Eugene, OR 97401-2101

Oregon OSHA must adopt rules that are at least as effective as the federal OSHA rules. On September 18, 2014, federal OSHA published a final rule that updates the list of industries that are exempt from the requirement to routinely keep OSHA injury and illness records, due to relatively low occupational injury and illness rates. The previous list of industries was based on the old Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system and injury and illness data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from 1996, 1997, and 1998. The new list of industries that are exempt from routinely keeping OSHA injury and illness records is based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and injury and illness data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from 2007, 2008, and 2009. Note: The new rule retains the exemption for any employer with ten or fewer employees, regardless of their industry classification, from the requirement to routinely keep records.

The final rule also expands the list of severe work-related injuries that all covered employers must report to OSHA. The revised rule retains the current requirement to report all work-related fatalities within 8 hours and adds the requirement to report all work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and loss of an eye within 24 hours to OSHA.

This rulemaking incorporates federal OSHA changes, but also makes additional changes:

The rules for reporting workplace incidents were moved to their own rule number, separating reporting from recordkeeping.

In addition to federal OSHA changes for reporting workplace incidents, the new requirement to report workplace amputations was revised to include any amputation or avulsion that includes bone and/or cartilage loss.

Clarifies inpatient hospitalization related to workplace illnesses and injuries.

Edits were made to enhance clarity so employers can better understand their responsibility to record workplace illnesses and injuries.

The annual summary requirements was modified for clarity and to allow for the employer to designate a representative to sign and certify that the information is correct, as long as the information is shared with a company executive.

A note was added reminding employers that, in addition to these reporting requirements, an injury involving a mechanical power press must also be reported to Oregon OSHA.

The definition of Standard industrial classification (SIC) was removed from OAR 437-001-0015 because it is no longer pertinent since the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is now used to classify industries.

Direct link to the proposed rulemaking (this letter, filing documents, text of changes, Federal Register link)

When Does This Happen?

Adoption tentatively will be March 2015 (effective January 2016)

To Get a Copy

Web site – www.orosha.org,  Rules, then Proposed Rules, or call 503-947-7449

To Comment

Department of Consumer and Business Services/Oregon OSHA
350 Winter Street NE
Salem OR 97301-3882
E-mail – tech.web@state.or.us
Fax – 503-947-7461

Comment Period Closes

March 11, 2015

Oregon OSHA Contact

Dave McLaughlin, Central Office, 503-947-7457, or send an email