Oregon (Oregon OSHA)

Oregon OSHA, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, covers most private and public employers in Oregon. Oregon was an early leader on worker heat and wildfire smoke protections, and it requires most employers to have a safety committee or hold safety meetings.

• Construction
• General Industry
• Agriculture
• Public employees
• Oregon

At a glance

Where the rules are

• Division 1: general administrative rules, including safety committees
• Division 2: general occupational safety and health (general industry)
• Division 3: construction
• Division 4: agriculture
• Division 7: forest activities

Many divisions adopt the federal standards and then add Oregon-specific rules.

Key Oregon requirements

• Safety committees or safety meetings (OAR 437-001-0765): employers with more than 10 employees generally must have a safety committee with equal employer and employee members. Smaller employers may hold safety meetings instead. Committees meet regularly, inspect the workplace and review incidents.
• Heat illness prevention (OAR 437-002-0156 and 437-004-1131): when the heat index reaches 80°F, employers must provide shade, enough cool water, rest breaks, acclimatization, training and a written heat illness prevention plan, with more protections at a heat index of 90°F.
• Wildfire smoke (OAR 437-002-1081): training, monitoring air quality and, at higher smoke levels, respirators and other controls.
• Construction fall protection: Oregon has its own construction fall protection rules in Division 3. Check them for your trade.
• Forest activities: Oregon has detailed rules for logging and forestry work in Division 7.
• Asbestos: Oregon DEQ licenses contractors and requires surveys before most demolitions and renovations of homes built before 2004. See Asbestos Rules by State.

Reporting injuries

Employers must report work-related deaths and catastrophes to Oregon OSHA within 8 hours, and in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and loss of an eye within 24 hours. Check Oregon OSHA for current reporting rules.

Complaints and retaliation

• File a safety complaint with Oregon OSHA online, by phone or by mail. Your name can be kept confidential.
• Oregon law protects workers who report injuries, raise safety concerns, take part in inspections or refuse work that poses an imminent danger. Retaliation complaints go to BOLI, within 90 days.

Last updated: October 2, 2026