Southern Oregon ASSP News

Jared K. Hill

3/24/2025

Jared began his career in Southern Oregon as an Occupational Therapist at Asante Work Health in 2002. He worked his way up through the company, progressing from supervisor to manager, and eventually becoming the Director of Operations of Asante Physician Partners in 2018.

During his time in these roles, Jared collaborated with employers and employees to ensure injured workers received the care they needed. He was dedicated to helping Southern Oregon businesses improve occupational safety and was passionate about bringing quality healthcare to the Southern Oregon community.

For many years, Jared was a member of the Southern Oregon ASSP executive committee. During this time, he served on the conference planning committee and was a speaker at many chapter meetings and conference presentations. In later years, Jared served as the award ceremony MC and helped secure critical financial support for the Southern Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference. This work earned him the unofficial but affectionate title of “friend of the conference.”

In 2021, Jared Hill won the “Business Leader Who Gets It” Award at the annual Southern Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference in recognition of his outstanding commitment to safety and health.

In November 2024, Jared finished his valiant fight against cancer at the young age of 50.

Jared was an inspiration and encouragement to all who knew him. Our ASSP chapter and conference are exceedingly better because of his impact and influence.

The Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals continues to honor his legacy by naming the “Business Leader Who Gets It” Award in honor of Jared K. Hill.

Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) Networking Event at GOSH

1/13/2025

WISE Networking Event @ GOSH 2025
March 4, 2025
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Join us at the WISE Networking Event at GOSH

Empower Your Growth Through WISE
Join us at the sixth Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) networking event during the 2025 Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Conference (GOSH) at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The event will take place Tuesday, March 4th, from 4:30-6:30pm, and will include light refreshments, awards and networking opportunities to make new connections and nurture existing ones.

WISE Keynote: Empower Your Potential, Bloom Where You Are
Maura Doherty, Author of She Blooms: Finding Home After the Convent, a Memoir

Anyone who works in safety and health knows that the path to this career is not usually a straight line. Storyteller and author Maura Doherty shares her path from novitiate at a convent in New York to an industrial hygienist in Oregon, leveraging opportunities and building relationships along the way to professional success. Through personal stories, she shows how women can bloom wherever they are, shaping their own lives while making a difference in the lives of others

Event details:
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2024
Location: Oregon Convention Center
Time: 4:30pm
Registration deadline: February 25th @ 5pm

New this year, we are asking for a minimum $5.00 donation during the registration process to ensure your commitment in attending this growing event. The proceeds go directly towards supporting organizations that support women (and their children) navigating houselessness, substance use disorders, poverty, and domestic violence, while promoting equality and justice. You are welcome to donate more than the minimum by selecting a different ticket price of $10, $25, or $50.

Day-of: Visit the ASSP booth in the registration foyer at the conference on Tuesday, March 4 for your admission and door prize ticket to the event. Ticket is required for entry to the event.
Venue: Oregon Convention Center

Personal Protective Equipment in Construction Final Rule FAQs

12/16/2024

Personal Protective Equipment in Construction Final Rule
Frequently Asked Questions
  What is the purpose of this final rule?
In this final rule, OSHA updates its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements for the construction industry to state explicitly that PPE must fit workers properly.

  Why is OSHA issuing this final rule?
OSHA is issuing this final rule to increase clarity of its PPE fit requirement for the construction industry and make the PPE fit requirement for the construction industry substantially similar to general industry and shipyard requirements.
The issue of improperly fitting PPE is particularly important for smaller construction workers, including some women, who may not be able to use standard size PPE.

  Does OSHA currently require PPE to fit properly?
Yes, OSHA currently requires PPE to fit properly in the construction industry. Proper fit of PPE is incorporated into existing requirements at 29 CFR 1926.95 that PPE be provided by an employer in a reliable condition, that employee-owned PPE be adequate, and that PPE be of safe design. OSHA has also stated in various compliance assistance documents that PPE must fit properly to provide protection from hazards.
This final rule explicitly states the requirement that PPE must fit properly so that the requirement is clearer and more understandable for the industry and to ensure workers of all sizes and body shapes have appropriate PPE.

  How will OSHA enforce the revised requirements?
OSHA will continue to enforce the requirement for properly fitting PPE in construction the same as it has been across industries, relying on enforcement guidance the agency has already created for those industries. In addition to OSHA guidance, consensus standards and manufacturer’s instructions can help employers determine the proper fit of their workers’ PPE to meet the requirement of the rule.

  Is uncomfortable PPE improperly fitting PPE?
Not necessarily. Some types of PPE may be inherently uncomfortable, and personal discomfort alone does not rise to the level of an OSHA violation. However, PPE that is uncomfortable may be an indication that that item of PPE does not fit the employee properly.

  What are the costs associated with this final rule?
Although this rule clarifies employers’ existing obligations and creates no new requirements for employers, OSHA estimates the clarification may result in some costs for employers not currently providing properly fitting PPE to employees. OSHA estimates potential one-time costs of $5,475,450 and annual recurring costs of $279,065. These costs account for time for employers to familiarize themselves with the revision to the standard and to locate and acquire alternative sizes of PPE.

https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment/rulemaking/faqs

Department of Labor finalizes rule on proper fit requirements for personal protective equipment in construction

12/14/2024

U.S. DOL
December 11, 2024

Changes align construction industry with general industry standards

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction. The final rule explicitly requires the equipment to properly fit any construction worker who needs it, improving protections from hazardous conditions.
"I've talked to workers in construction, particularly women, who have spoken of personal protective equipment that didn't fit or was simply unavailable at the jobsite in their size," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. "PPE must fit properly to work. I'm proud of the broad support from both employers and unions for OSHA's efforts to make clear that employers must provide the right PPE for each worker who needs it."
The revision to the standard adds specific language requiring that employers provide PPE that properly fits construction industry workers. The change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for general industry.
Many types of personal protective equipment must be sized to fit a worker properly. Improperly sized PPE can be ineffective in protecting workers; create new hazards for the worker, such as oversized gloves or protective clothing being caught in machinery; and discourage use because of discomfort or poor fit. The matter has been a longstanding industry safety concern, particularly among some women as well as among physically smaller or larger workers.
Learn more about personal protective equipment in construction.
Learn more about OSHA.

Media Contacts:
Patrick Malone, 202-997-3512, [email protected]
Paloma Renteria, 202-579-1643, [email protected]
Release Number: 24-2453-NAT

Getting Traction: Tips for Traveling in Winter Weather

11/14/2024

National Weather Service

The weather has a habit of changing pretty quickly, especially during the winter season. Powerful winter storms driven by jet streams that often exceed 200 mph can bring copious amounts of snow and ice, along with blowing snow and whiteout conditions. In some cases the temperature can drop over 50 degrees in a matter of hours. If travelers don't check the weather forecast and plan accordingly, these fast-changing conditions can be a matter of life or death when we are on the road.

Being aware of the weather conditions when traveling is crucial to ensuring a safe journey. According to the Department of Transportation, each year 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet. Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement annually.
What’s more, fast-changing weather conditions can be particularly dangerous. Just last year alone, white out conditions created by quickly developing snow squalls caused over 140 accidents and 3 fatalities in Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.
Of course, there are several steps you can take to avoid being caught unaware on the road in a hazardous winter event.

Utilize your local National Weather Service office: Fast-changing weather conditions happen just as described – fast! Just because it’s sunny and clear when you depart doesn’t mean it will stay that way for the duration of your trip. Make sure to check the hourly conditions at your local NWS office.
Check the road conditions along your route: Weather conditions often change quickly when you travel through locations with varying landscapes. Be sure to check the current road conditions and updated alerts or advisories for the roads and highways you will be traveling on. This site contains a comprehensive list of current road conditions listed by state.
Stay mobile in your mobile: Having access to the most up-to-date weather warnings and advisory information is now easier than ever. Wherever you are, you can get the local weather forecast from the National Weather Service with one click on your home screen by visiting mobile.weather.gov and bookmark it to your phone. Make sure that you have the latest weather news and information on the go so you can stay on top of fast-changing winter weather conditions.
Winterize your vehicle: No one likes encountering car problems at any point during the year. But fast-changing and harsh winter conditions can be particularly brutal on your vehicle. Take a look at this checklist provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for some tips on preparing your car for the winter.

Have a winter weather emergency kit: Like your mother always said, “It’s better to be safe than sorry”. Even with full preparation, surprises are bound to happen with weather conditions. Make sure Mother Nature doesn’t catch you off guard by having some basic winter weather tools packed in your car at all times. Check out some of the items you should consider bringing along with this list provided by ready.gov.

Employer Guidance Reducing Non-Healthcare Workers' Exposures to Seasonal Flu Virus

10/12/2024

This guidance provides baseline infection control procedures for seasonal flu. As new information about the current seasonal flu virus becomes available, this workplace guidance will be reevaluated and updated. Employers should ensure that they have the most up-to-date information when making decisions about their current operations and planning.
There are some basic precautions that can protect workers during the flu season. This page gives employers and managers information about how to protect workers whose job tasks involve contact with coworkers and the general public. Workers who provide healthcare services are addressed separately. All employers can implement a combination of controls to protect workers and reduce the transmission of the seasonal flu virus in the workplace. Workplace controls include:

promoting vaccination;

encouraging sick workers to stay home;

promoting hand hygiene and cough etiquette;

keeping the workplace clean; and

addressing travel concerns.

Pandemic flu remains a concern for all employers. A pandemic can occur at any time and can be mild, moderate, or severe. The pandemic in 2009 was considered by CDC to be mild but it still created challenges for employers and showed that many workplaces were not prepared. The precautions identified in this guidance give a baseline for infection control during a seasonal flu outbreak, but they may not be enough to protect workers during a pandemic. Your pandemic flu plan should be based on a "worst-case" scenario – one in which the virus causes severe illness and death in larger numbers of people. Planning for the worst-case ensures that you will have the right type of equipment and an adequate supply of it on hand to protect workers. It also ensures that you have planned for additional control options so that you can pick the right combination for the specific pandemic flu virus. For additional information on pandemic flu planning, see OSHA’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic and CDC's business planning resources.

Basic Precautions for All Work Activities
Encourage Workers to Get Vaccinated
Encourage workers to get the seasonal flu vaccine when it is available. Consider hosting a flu vaccination clinic in your workplace. For additional information about seasonal flu vaccine priorities, see Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine.
Encourage Sick Workers to Stay Home
Encourage sick workers to stay home. The CDC recommends that workers who have a fever and respiratory symptoms stay at home until 24 hours after their fever ends (100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.8 degrees Celsius] or lower), without the use of medication. Not everyone who has the flu will have a fever. Other symptoms could include a runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Develop flexible leave policies that encourage workers to stay home, without penalty, if they are sick. Discuss other human resource policies with staff, including administrative leave transfer between employees, pay policy for sick leave, childcare options, and what to do when ill during travel.
Develop a Policy for Workers and Clients Who Become Ill in the Workplace
Useful CDC resources: Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work and School, and Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.
Develop a policy on how to deal with workers and clients who may be ill with the flu and communicate it to your workers. See CDC's Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses and Employees for information about how to develop this type of policy.
Determine who will be responsible for assisting ill individuals in the workplace and make sure that at least one person can serve as the "go to" person if someone becomes sick in the workplace.
Consider how to separate ill workers from others, or give them a surgical mask to wear, if possible and if they can tolerate it, until they can go home.
Promote Hand Hygiene and Cough Etiquette

Post signs that tell workers, visitors, and clients the steps for proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
Workers, visitors, and clients should have easy access to supplies such as:

"No touch" wastebaskets for used tissues;

Soap and water;

Alcohol-based hand rubs;

Disposable towels;

Cleaning and sanitation materials.

Lobbies, halls, and restrooms should have the above items and workers should know where they are.

Hand Hygiene
Wash hands after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or coming into contact with mucus or contaminated objects and surfaces.
Apply soap and water: rub soapy hands together for at least 20 seconds, rinse hands with water, and dry completely.
Alcohol-based hand rubs: If soap and water are not available, use of an alcohol-based hand rub is a helpful interim measure until hand washing is possible. When using an alcohol-based hand rub, apply liquid to palm of hand, cover all surfaces of the hands with the liquid, and rub hands together until dry.

Cough Etiquette
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve(s).
Dispose of used tissues in "no-touch" wastebaskets.

Keep the Workplace Clean
Frequently clean all commonly touched work surfaces, work areas, and equipment (e.g., telephones, doorknobs, lunch areas, countertops, copiers, etc.).
Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended by CDC.
Provide disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to use to clean their work spaces and surfaces and to keep work areas clean.
Educate Workers About the Flu and Conditions That Place Them at Higher Risk for Flu Complications

Train workers about how flu can be transmitted in the workplace and what precautions they can use to prevent transmission. Provide information about the following:

signs, symptoms, and complications of the flu;

policies and procedures for reporting flu symptoms, using sick leave, and returning to work;

vaccination; and

any required work practices.

CDC has identified groups that have a higher risk for complications from seasonal flu (e.g., elderly, pregnant women, small children, persons with asthma, etc.).
Inform workers that some people are at higher risk of complications from flu and suggest that they talk to their doctor about their own risk and what to do if they become ill.
Address Travel and Sickness While on Travel

Reconsider business travel to areas with high illness rates; see up-to-date travel advisories.
CDC recommends the following measures for workers who becomes ill while on travel:

Advise workers who become ill while traveling or on temporary assignment to notify their supervisors.

Workers who become ill while traveling and are at increased risk of flu complications and others concerned about their illness should promptly call a healthcare provider.

Advise workers to check themselves for fever and any other signs of flu-like illness before starting travel and to notify their supervisors and stay home if they feel ill.

This guidance is advisory in nature and informational in content. It is not a standard or regulation, and it neither creates new legal obligations nor alters existing obligations created by OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Pursuant to the OSH Act, employers must comply with safety and health standards and regulations issued and enforced either by OSHA or by an OSHA-approved State Plan. In addition, the Act's General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Source: https://www.osha.gov/seasonal-flu/non-healthcare-employers

Drowsy Driving

10/12/2024

Overview
Drowsy driving kills — but is preventable. Learn about three factors commonly associated with drowsy-driving crashes and pick up some helpful tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel. In this section, you’ll also find several resources and learn what NHTSA is doing to help eliminate this risky behavior.

Scope of the Problem
Attitudes About Drowsy Driving Need to Change

Traffic Safety FactsDrowsy Driving 
Fatigue has costly effects on the safety, health, and quality of life of the American public. Whether fatigue is caused by sleep restriction due to a new baby waking every couple of hours, a late or long shift at work, hanging out late with friends, or a long and monotonous drive for the holidays – the negative outcomes can be the same. These include impaired cognition and performance, motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, and health consequences.
Tackling these issues can be difficult when our lifestyle does not align with avoiding drowsy driving. In a 24/7 society, with an emphasis on work, longer commutes, and exponential advancement of technology, many people do not get the sleep they need. Effectively dealing with the drowsy-driving problem requires fundamental changes to societal norms and especially attitudes about drowsy driving.
The terms drowsy, sleepy, and fatigue are used interchangeably although there are differences in the way these terms are used and understood.

Precise Numbers of Drowsy-Driving Crashes, Injuries, and Fatalities Are Hard to Nail Down
Unfortunately, determining a precise number of drowsy-driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities is not yet possible. Crash investigators can look for clues that drowsiness contributed to a crash, but these clues are not always identifiable or conclusive.
NHTSA’s census of fatal crashes and estimate of traffic-related crashes and injuries rely on police and hospital reports to determine the incidence of drowsy-driving crashes. NHTSA estimates that in 2017, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers. These crashes led to an estimated 50,000 people injured and nearly 800 deaths. But there is broad agreement across the traffic safety, sleep science, and public health communities that this is an underestimate of the impact of drowsy driving. 

The Issue
Crashes and Fatalities
Sleepiness can result in crashes any time of the day or night, but three factors are most commonly associated with drowsy-driving crashes.
Drowsy-driving crashes:

Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. At both times of the day, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm—the human body’s internal clock that regulates sleep;
Often involve only a single driver (and no passengers) running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking; and
Frequently occur on rural roads and highways.

The Issue
Tips to Drive Alert
How To Avoid Driving Drowsy

Related Topics
Teen Driving
Older Drivers

Getting adequate sleep on a daily basis is the only true way to protect yourself against the risks of driving when you’re drowsy. Experts urge consumers to make it a priority to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. For more information on healthy sleep, see In Brief: Your Guide to Healthy Sleep (PDF, 1.81 MB) at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website.
Before the start of a long family car trip, get a good night’s sleep, or you could put your entire family and others at risk.
Many teens do not get enough sleep at a stage in life when their biological need for sleep increases, which makes them vulnerable to the risk of drowsy-driving crashes, especially on longer trips. Advise your teens to delay driving until they’re well-rested.
Avoid drinking any alcohol before driving. Consumption of alcohol interacts with sleepiness to increase drowsiness and impairment.
Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use.
If you take medications that could cause drowsiness as a side effect, use public transportation when possible.
If you drive, avoid driving during the peak sleepiness periods (midnight – 6 a.m. and late afternoon). If you must drive during the peak sleepiness periods, stay vigilant for signs of drowsiness, such as crossing over roadway lines or hitting a rumble strip, especially if you’re driving alone.

SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS

Drinking coffee or energy drinks alone is not always enough. They might help you feel more alert, but the effects last only a short time, and you might not be as alert as you think you are. If you drink coffee and are seriously sleep-deprived, you still may have “micro sleeps” or brief losses of consciousness that can last for four or five seconds. This means that at 55 miles per hour, you’ve traveled more than 100 yards down the road while asleep. That’s plenty of time to cause a crash.
If you start to get sleepy while you’re driving, drink one to two cups of coffee and pull over for a short 20-minute nap in a safe place, such as a lighted, designated rest stop. This has been shown to increase alertness in scientific studies, but only for short time periods.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving

We Can Help End Child Labor

9/14/2024

Author: Pamela Walaski, CSP, ASSP President 24-25

When we think about child labor, we often view it as a problem in other countries or believe it is something from the distant past in the U.S. However, recent data reflect a rise in child labor, particularly as some U.S. states relax laws governing young workers. That is why we must advocate for their protection. Let’s look at the situation from both a global and U.S. perspective.

The Global Outlook
In 2021, International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated that 160 million children were performing labor, with nearly half involved in hazardous work. This represented an increase of 8.4 million children in just 4 years, reversing a decades-long decline in child labor.
According to ILO, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic amplified the situation because it pushed more families into poverty, forcing children to work to support their households. In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 24% of children are estimated to be involved in child labor. They work long hours, earn low wages and often encounter hazardous conditions. All these factors violate their rights and hinder their age-appropriate development.

The Situation in the U.S.
While child labor is often perceived as a problem in developing countries, it is a growing concern in the U.S. as well. According to State Innovation Exchange, since 2021, nearly 30 states have introduced legislation to weaken child labor protections. Several states, including Arkansas, Iowa and Kentucky, have passed laws that expand how many hours young people are permitted to work; allow them to perform more hazardous jobs; or lower the minimum age for certain types of employment. These changes are often positioned as providing more opportunities for young workers or addressing a labor crisis, yet they also increase the risk of exploitation, injury and illness.
For fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that nearly 5,800 children were employed in violation of the law, an 88% increase since 2019. More alarming is a 26% rise in the number of minors performing hazardous jobs, such as operating meat processing or sawmilling machinery, conducting roofing or demolition tasks, or performing trenching and excavation work. This growing problem demands our attention and action.

Our Role as Safety Professionals
ASSP recently issued a strong position statement opposing all forms of exploitative child labor practices, which you can view at www.assp.org/position-statements. We have also discussed this topic with leaders at OSHA, NIOSH and other federal agencies, all of whom recognize the need for additional action.
It is important to note that ASSP supports reasonable approaches to young people working and realizing the benefits and responsibilities of doing so. We recognize that working is an important part of an individual’s maturation process. Our position is not meant to oppose young people working appropriate hours, for fair wages or in settings such as a family farm.
The position statement further emphasizes our vision that safety, health and well-being are inherent rights of all workers—including young workers. It aligns with the broader goal that every worker returns home safe at the end of the day. As safety professionals, we can do even more by taking these steps:

Raise awareness. Share data, stories and resources about the impact of child labor to help educate key stakeholders.
Champion stronger laws. Advocate for stronger child labor laws and oppose efforts to weaken existing protections.
Promote safe workplaces. Help employers develop age-appropriate training, ensure proper supervision and enforce safety standards to better protect young workers from harm.
Promote ethical practices. Advocate for responsible supply chain practices that ensure child labor is not used in the production of goods and services.

Our Call to Action
Child labor is a complex issue, deeply rooted in economic and social inequalities. We can make a difference by sharing our position statement and striving to take the steps I have outlined here.
ASSP’s vision states that safety, health and well-being are inherent rights of all workers, regardless of age. Together, we can work toward a future where no child must sacrifice their childhood simply to survive.

Simple Steps for an Extra Safe Halloween

9/14/2024

Author: National Safety Council

Kids love the magic of Halloween, but costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. These tips can help make a safe and happy holiday for everyone.

Costume Safety
To help ensure adults and children have a safe holiday, follow these Halloween safety tips:
● Be sure to choose a costume that won't cause safety hazards; all costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant
● If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks
● Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision; always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation develops
● Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation

When They're on the Prowl
Here's a scary statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these incidents.
Keep these tips in mind when your children are out on Halloween night:
● A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
● If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you
● Agree on a specific time children should return home
● Teach your children never to enter a stranger's home or car
● Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
● Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies

Safety Tips for Motorists
NSC offers these additional safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours:
● Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs
● Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully
● At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing
● Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween

Oregon OSHA Wildfire Smoke Rule Update You Should Know!

8/17/2024

Oregon OSHA, furnished by Mike Hill, SAIF Corp.

What changed?
Nothing in the Oregon OSHA Wildfire Rule changed. Oregon OSHA just added a stamp for informational purposes only to notify employers if they are using the AQI for ease in monitoring smoke levels.

The EPA changed how they calculate the AQI number for PM2.5 wildfire smoke at the area air monitoring stations.
Everyone in Oregon will just need to follow the new thresholds to be compliant to the wildfire rules. This chart explains it best:

When you follow the AQI for monitoring workers respiratory exposure you can gather that information from a couple of sources:

https://aqi.oregon.gov/
https://www.airnow.gov/

Threshold changes:
The AQI of 101 threshold did not change.
AQI of 251 is now 277.
AQI of 501 is now 849.

You can also use two other methods for monitoring air quality levels:
Direct reading instrument that measures particulate matter in PM2.5
Oregon OSHA also allows the visual method of determining visibility distances called the 5-3-1 Visibility Index and these correlate to the new AQI thresholds as well:

What did not change?
The Oregon OSHA rules did not change. If you use a direct reading instrument to measure smoke levels, the actual measurement of 2.5-micron particulate matter in micrograms per cubic meter threshold levels are still the same.
(The AQI is just used to help make this process easier by checking the EPA’s monitoring levels throughout the day)

Thresholds for ambient air concentrations for PM2.5 are:
At or above 35.5 µg/m³ (equivalent to AQI 101)
At or above 200.9 µg/m³ (equivalent to new AQI 277)
At or above 500.4 µg/m³ (equivalent to new AQI 849)

The protective value is still the same. The EPA just changed how they measure and publish their numbers.

Further Resource Links
Oregon OSHA Wildfire Smoke Resource Page: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/topics/wildfires.aspx
Oregon OSHA Wildfire Smoke rules: https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHARules/div2/div2Z-437-002-1081-protection-from-wildfire-smoke.pdf
Oregon OSHA Wildfire Smoke Fact Sheet with new table: https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/factsheets/fs92.pdf
EPA information on the AQI updates: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-02/pm-naaqs-air-quality-index-fact-sheet.pdf

More Information:
If you’d like to learn more, SAIF just published an updated Wildfire Smoke online training resource on our website at:
https://www.saif.com/safety-and-health/topics/plan-for-emergencies/wildfires.html

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