Infectious disease

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.

Checklists
- Infection control
  Checklist for infection control.
  English Word version 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 04/01/2022
- 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 04/01/2022

No items are currently available

Rules and rule-related

Advisory Committee

Infectious Disease Rulemaking

Adopted Rules
- Adoption of Rules Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Requirements for Employer-Provided Labor Housing
  Administrative Order 6-2022 Rule text
Advisory Memo
- Model Policy for Notification of Employees when COVID-19 Exposure Occurs
  Word version 11/12/2020
- Modelo de Política para la Notificación de los Empleados cuando se Produce Exposición al COVID-19
  Word version 11/12/2020
Final Rules
- Division 1, 437-001-0744, Rule Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks
  Administrative Order 5-2022
Interpretations
- Mask, Face Shield, and Face Covering Statewide Mandate in Fitness Centers
  Primary discussion point is how to handle patrons that are unable to wear a facial covering but still want to access the gym services under the Oregon statewide mask mandate issued by the Oregon Health Authority under the direction of Governor Kate Brown.
  08/12/2020
Program Directives
- Tuberculosis: Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure
  Purpose: This instruction provides uniform inspection procedures and guidelines when conducting inspections and issuing citations under ORS 654, the Oregon Safe Employment Act, and pertinent standards for employees who are occupationally exposed to tuberculosis.
  A-215 09/10/2018
Summary of comments and decisions
- Explanation of rulemaking, summary of comments and agency decisions for the revision and extension of Oregon COVID-19 Workplace rule
  Word version

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Tuberculosis
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Tuberculosis from the Resource Center

Watch Online

No items are currently available

Additional Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)

Ebola: Information for protecting workers

Influenza (Flu) information and resources

Zika virus: Interim OSHA/NIOSH guidance for protecting workers from occupational exposure to Zika virus