Infectious disease

See Oregon OSHA's COVID-19 resources and guidance

On Jan. 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked enforcement of federal OSHA's Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard.

Oregon OSHA will continue to monitor federal OSHA activities and respond as needed. In light of the Supreme Court decision, however, Oregon OSHA will not move forward with adopting the same or similar standard in Oregon.

Oregon OSHA had engaged in discussions with stakeholders of such a rule adoption. It did so under the “at least as effective as" federal OSHA requirement, which was prompted by adoption of the federal standard.

Oregon OSHA maintains a COVID-19 rule that requires employers to implement protections for workers. Those protections include infection control planning, exposure risk assessments, sanitation, and notification. Those measures also require employers to follow the Oregon Health Authority's requirement to use facial coverings indoors.

Oregon OSHA offers employers and workers free resources for maintaining safe and healthy workplaces, including consultation services, experts, and education and training.

Overview

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Some are transmitted by animal and insect bites; others are acquired by contaminated food and water, or by being exposed to organisms in the environment. Many infectious diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, can be prevented by vaccines. Frequent and thorough hand-washing also helps protect you from most infectious diseases.

Recordkeeping in Relation to COVID-19 Vaccinations5/24/2021

With a few exceptions, Oregon OSHA has adopted the federal recordkeeping standard by reference; and keeping in line with Federal OSHA we will not enforce the recordkeeping standard in relation to vaccinations.

Are adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine recordable on the OSHA recordkeeping log?
DOL and OSHA, as well as other federal agencies, are working diligently to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. OSHA does not wish to have any appearance of discouraging workers from receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and also does not wish to disincentivize employers’ vaccination efforts. As a result, OSHA will not enforce 29 CFR 1904’s recording requirements to require any employers to record worker side effects from COVID-19 vaccination through May 2022. We will reevaluate the agency’s position at that time to determine the best course of action moving forward.

United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Publications

The following Risk Assessments and Infectious Control Plans are provided as examples, and may not reflect every situation or all hazards in your workplace. These sample programs should only be used as reference sources and not as a replacement of conducting a Hazard Assessment or Infection Control Plan specific to your workers and workplace.

Employers need NOT submit their exposure risk assessment, infection control plans, employee training information, etc. to the Agency in advance for review or approval.

Brochures/Guides
- COVID-19 Workplace Rule Changes Questions & Answers
  Questions and answers about Oregon OSHA's COVID-19 rule changes.
  English 08/20/2021
Checklists
- Infection control
  Checklist for infection control.
  English 10/31/2014
Forms
- COVID-19 Exposure Risk Assessment Form (PDF for printing)
  Print PDF version of COVID-19 employee exposure risk assessment form
  English Fill-in Word version 05/18/2021
- COVID-19 HVAC Certification (PDF for printing)
  All employers with more than 10 employees statewide and an existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system must certify in writing that they are operating that system in accordance with OAR 437-001-0744 to the best of their knowledge. Although not required, such certifications can be made using this sample format.
  English Fill-in Word version 05/14/2021
- COVID-19 Infection Control Plan (PDF for printing)
  This sample plan can be used to fulfill the requirements in 437-001-0744 Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks, Infection control plan.
  English Fill-in Word version 05/18/2021
- COVID-19 Training Verification Form (PDF for printing)
  Oregon OSHA’s rule, 437-001-0744 Addressing the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in All Oregon Workplaces, requires all employers to provide workers with information and training regarding COVID-19. This training verification form is provided as a convenience, but is not required.
  English Fill-in Word version 05/18/2021
- Example of COVID-19 Exposure Risk Assessment Form
  Example of the exposure risk assessment form for the Temporary Infectious Disease Rule
  English Sample Items To Consider 11/17/2020
- Example of COVID-19 Infection Control Plan
  Example of the infection control plan for the Temporary Infectious Disease Rule
  English Sample Items To Consider 11/17/2020
- Plan de control de infecciones para el COVID-19 (Fill-in Word document)
  This sample plan can be used to fulfill the requirements in 437-001-0744(3)(h) Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks, Infection control plan.
  English 11/06/2020

Education and training

Online course
- COVID-19 Training Requirements online course
  This multimedia course is designed to help employers meet 4 of the 10 employee training requirements found in Oregon OSHA’s COVID-19 Temporary Rule. The course begins with an explanation of the dangers of COVID-19 and why the temporary rule came into existence. This course is divided into 4 modules: Introduction, Signs, Symptoms and Transmission, Control Measures, and Conclusion.
  English Online course 12/04/2020
- Curso de los Requisitos de Capacitación de COVID-19
  COVID-19 Training Requirements online course
  Este curso multimedia está diseñado para ayudar a empleadores a satisfacer 4 de los 10 requisitos de capacitación que aparecen en la Regla Temporal de COVID-19 de Oregon OSHA. El curso empieza con una explicación de los peligros de COVID-19 y el motivo del por qué surgió la regla temporal. Este curso está dividido en 4 módulos: Introducción, Señales, Síntomas, y Métodos de Control de Transmisión.
  Spanish Online course 12/04/2020

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