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Oregon OSHA proposes permanent rules on extreme heat, wildfire smoke

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Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA is seeking public comment on proposed rules that would increase worker protections against extreme heat and wildfire smoke, calling them “the strongest such protections in the nation.”

The proposals build on emergency standards adopted by the agency last summer. The development process involved review and input from rule advisory committees as well as employer and worker stakeholders. Oregon OSHA, which operates as a State Plan, also conducted listening sessions for worker and community stakeholders.

The proposed heat illness prevention rule includes access to shade and cool water, work/rest schedules, information and training, and other plans and preventive actions. Meanwhile, the proposed wildfire smoke rule features various exposure assessments and controls, as well as steps for training and communication. Both proposals also address protections for workers who rely on employer-provided housing, including as part of farm operations.

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“The dangers of extreme heat and wildfire smoke are not going away,” Andrew Stolfi, director of the state’s Department of Consumer and Business Services, which includes Oregon OSHA, said in a press release. “That is why we must continue to build up our safeguards against them. These rulemaking efforts demonstrate our commitment to bolstering Oregon’s ability to protect workers – especially vulnerable workers who work outdoors – from extraordinary hazards that have been worsened by climate change.”

Oregon OSHA says it expects to adopt the rules in April, ahead of the grow and wildfire seasons.

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David Wolvington
June 19, 2022
My question is has OSHA and Mrs. Brown have you been in one of these fires it is hot weather it is summer or winter these fires do not care what time of the year it is it still is hot. here in Nevada we have our summers then the lightning comes and we have lightning strike fires towards the middle of the Christmas season so tell me how OSHA is going to rotate people in and out of a brushfire in the middle of the summer and have to stop and take a water break every 15 minutes this does not compute with me so if you can tell me what the plan is or show me the plan then I would appreciate it very much maybe I did not understand it as we should.