Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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Oregon OSHA is a division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services and operates under a state-plan agreement with federal OSHA.[1]
In 1971, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970[2] became part of national labor law. Two years later, Oregon passed its own occupational safety and health legislation, the Oregon Safe Employment Act (OSEA). OSEA authorized Oregon OSHA to enforce the state's workplace safety and health rules.
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[edit] Oregon OSHA’s Mission
Oregon OSHA’s mission is to advance and improve safety and health for all workers in Oregon. Oregon OSHA works with many other public and private sector organizations to provide every worker in Oregon a safe and healthful workplace; the agency’s collaborative activities include Advisory committees, Alliances, Interagency Agreements, and Partnership Agreements.
[edit] Organizational Structure
[edit] Enforcement
Oregon OSHA’s compliance officers, provide pre-job conferences to employers, and offer hazard-abatement assistance to employers who have received citations. Other enforcement staff investigate workplace fatalities and serious injuries. Scheduled inspections reflect an employer's history of workplace injuries and illnesses, previous Oregon OSHA inspections, number of employees, and an overall hazard rating of the employer's industry. Compliance officers also conduct workplace inspections on referral and investigate complaints of unsafe working conditions.
[edit] Occupational Health Laboratory
Oregon OSHA’s nationally certified occupational health laboratory in Portland analyzes samples collected by compliance officers and consultants to determine the chemical compositions and concentrations of hazardous substances to which workers may be exposed.
[edit] Consultative Services
Oregon OSHA’s consultants help employers reduce lost-time accident costs and show them how to develop effective safety and health management programs.
- Safety consultants help employers identify and correct hazards such as those associated with machines, industrial vehicles, electrical devices, material-handling equipment, and working surfaces.
- Industrial hygiene consultants help employers identify and monitor employee exposure to health hazards such as noise, air contaminants, and toxic chemicals.
- Ergonomic consultants help employers develop effective, practical ways to reduce injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and lower-back strains.
The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) offers Oregon employers coaching and direction to help them develop strong safety and health programs and recognizes them for their achievements.
The Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) rewards employers who exceed Oregon's occupational safety and health requirements and become industry leaders in their commitment to workplace safety.
[edit] Standards and Technical Resources/Resource Center
The Standards and Technical Resources section writes and publishes Oregon's workplace safety and health standards, provides technical assistance to employers, and produces innovative safe-practice publications on many topics for employers and employees.
The Resource Center has hundreds of videos and an extensive collection of books and journals covering all aspects of workplace safety and health. The Resource Center, in Salem, is open to the public, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Publications may also be ordered online at any time.
[edit] Public education
Oregon OSHA offers free year-round training workshops and online classes for employers and employees. General classes cover basic safety and health management, safety committee activities, recordkeeping, and accident investigation. Technical classes cover ergonomics, hazard communication, fall protection, and lockout/tagout. Employers can also request on-site classes tailored to their employees' needs.
[edit] Conferences
Oregon OSHA co-hosts conferences throughout Oregon for employees and employers to learn and share ideas with local and nationally recognized safety and health professionals. The biennial Governor's Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Portland is the Pacific Northwest's largest safety and health show.
[edit] Appeals and informal conferences
Appeals specialists review appealed citations and conduct informal conferences with employers throughout the state. Informal conferences resolve about 90 percent of appealed cases. Unresolved contested cases are referred to the Workers Compensation Board Hearings Division.
[edit] Scholarships and grants
Oregon OSHA’s Workers Memorial Scholarship is open to applicants who are high school graduates, graduating high school seniors, GED recipients, current undergraduates, or graduate students who are dependents or spouses of workers killed or permanently disabled by on-the-job injuries.
The Education and Training Grant program awards grants to nonprofit organizations, labor groups, and educational institutions to develop innovative workplace safety and health training materials for Oregon employees and employers.
[edit] See also
- MIOSHA
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH
- Occupational safety and health
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA
