Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Rules in Development
The items listed below are projects Oregon OSHA is currently engaged in. These rules are in the pre-proposed stage. If you have questions about these projects or are interested in participating in the process, use the Oregon OSHA staff contact information for the item of interest.
Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
Summary: The Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) Advisory Committee evaluated Oregon OSHA's regulated substances listed in our air contaminant rules. Lead and Manganese were the first standards selected for revision, because workers in Oregon were exposed to these substances across a wide range of industries. The rulemaking for Manganese was completed and the new requirements were adopted September 1, 2021 and went into effect September 1, 2022. Rulemaking for Lead is in the pre-proposal phase.
Timetable: After rulemaking for Lead is complete, the advisory committee will meet to consider next steps.
Oregon OSHA staff contact:
Linda Pressnell
Oregon OSHA – Technical Specialist
350 Winter Street NE
Salem OR 97301-3882
Telephone: 971-330-0502
Email: linda.s.pressnell@dcbs.oregon.gov
Lead (PEL)
Summary: The Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) Advisory Committee evaluated Oregon OSHA's regulated substances listed in our air contaminant rules. Lead and Manganese were the first standards selected for revision, because workers in Oregon were exposed to these substances across a wide range of industries.
Timetable: The rulemaking process for Lead was initiated in late 2017, but was suspended to allow rulemaking for Manganese and COVID-19 to be completed. The rulemaking process for Lead was restarted in May of 2023. If you would like to join the stakeholders group for Lead rulemaking, contact Linda Pressnell and provide your name, contact information, and affiliation. For meeting minutes and more information about the stakeholder group, see the
Lead Advisory Group page.
Oregon OSHA staff contact:
Linda Pressnell
Oregon OSHA – Technical Specialist
350 Winter Street NE
Salem OR 97301-3882
Telephone: 971-330-0502
Email: linda.s.pressnell@dcbs.oregon.gov
Hazard Communication
Summary: The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration drafted the revised hazard communication standard for commercial products to better protect workers and align US requirements closer to international guidance set by the UN in 2017 (RIN:1218-AC93). The current hazard communications standard, last revised in 2012, requires chemical manufacturers or importers to classify the dangers of chemicals and to notify users and customers by labeling containers and providing safety data sheets. Employers must provide their workers with information and training about the chemicals they are exposed to. Chemical manufacturers and others have new requirements for commercial product warning labels. The final rule was published 5/20/2024 in the Federal Register. There is a
FAQ on the federal OSHA website. Oregon OSHA has six months to adopt the new requirements to be at least as effective as federal OSHA.
Timetable: Oregon OSHA is in the early stages of rulemaking to adopt identical to the revised standard. It is expected the first RAC committee meeting will occur at the end of June 2024. For meeting information and updates, see the
Hazard Commuication Advisory Committee page.
Oregon OSHA staff contact:
Linda Pressnell
Oregon OSHA – Technical Specialist
350 Winter Street NE
Salem OR 97301-3882
Telephone: 971-330-0502
Email: linda.s.pressnell@dcbs.oregon.gov
Jennifer Stewart
350 Winter Street NE
Salem OR 97301-3882
Telephone: 503-378-3272
Email: Jennifer.Stewart2@dcbs.oregon.gov
Agricultural Labor Housing
Summary: Oregon OSHA has been engaging and consulting stakeholders regarding updating and improving rules around agricultural labor housing (ALH) since 2018. Oregon OSHA put together a Rules Advisory Committee with the core consisting of the small agricultural employer advisory committee, as well as members of other interested parties, including worker advocates.
Timetable: The first RAC meeting was held in 2018 and the group met multiple times in 2019. The formal ALH rulemaking was put on hold due to the COVID-19 public health emergency while the agency focused on COVID-19 specific rules in ALH. Meetings resumed in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The most recent RAC meeting was held in April 2024. The
Agricultural Labor Housing Advisory Committee webpage has meeting minutes and information.
Oregon OSHA staff contact:
Sarah Rew, Oregon OSHA
350 Winter Street NE
Salem OR 97301-3882
Telephone: 971-283-6415
Email: sarah.c.rew@dcbs.oregon.gov