Oregon Rescinds COVID-19 Workplace Rule

Oregon OSHA has rescinded its COVID-19 requirements for all workplaces and employer-provided housing as of April 3, 2023. The agency issued a temporary rulemaking on March 30, putting forth the revised regulatory text.

Indoor mask use will no longer be mandated by the State of Oregon in healthcare settings. Oregon OSHA removed the masking requirement for employees in general workplaces more than one year ago, on March  18, 2022. 

In their words:

Oregon OSHA...will rescind its COVID-19 Workplace Requirements for All Workplaces (OAR 437-001-0744) and Requirements for Employer-Provided Labor Housing (OAR 437-004-1115) effective April 3, 2023. As required, Oregon OSHA will conduct rulemaking in the coming days to achieve these modifications.

Oregon OSHA | Workplace Advisory Memo 3.29.23

The entire text of the rule is now off the books, except for basic requirements related to “work clothing,” which have been revised to include the following: 

"Allow employees to wear a face covering if they so choose, unless doing so create or otherwise exposures the employee to a hazard. Employers who require employees to wear a face covering must continue to provide them at no cost." 

The new text includes this note: “For the purposes of this rule, employers are not required to allow voluntary use of respirators if an employee requests to use one in lieu of a face covering.” 

Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, Oregon, osha