Browsing articles in "Oregon"

Opposition to OROSHA Penalty Increase Rules Grows

Dec 21, 2011   //   by Ryan Hopman   //   News, Oregon  //  Comments Off

The Oregon Self Insurers Association files opposition to OROSHA’s proposed rule changes.   OSIA’s membership includes certified self-insurers/employers, large-deductible insurereds /employers, and persons, firms, and organizations associated with its members.

OR-OSHA v. Moore Excavation

Sep 28, 2011   //   by Ryan Hopman   //   News, Oregon  //  Comments Off
WCB # 08-00169SH (7/28/11) – OR-OSHA cited employer for failure to tag and remove a damaged ladder from the worksite. At hearing, OR-OSHA argued that the “employee exposure” element of its burden of proof was satisfied with evidence that the ladder “could possibly” be used. The Administrative Law Judge rejected OR-OSHA’s argument. HELD: A violation would be established if it were reasonably predictable that, as a result of the employer’s failure to tag and/or withdraw from service the defective ladder, an employee would attempt to use the damaged ladder. No such evidence was offered. Citation and Notification of Penalty vacated. OR-OSHA has appealed the matter to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

OR-OSHA – Legislative Update

Sep 28, 2011   //   by Ryan Hopman   //   News, Oregon  //  Comments Off

HB 2222 

  • Signed by Governor June 18, 2007
  • Amends ORS 654.176 and 654.182.
  • Effective January 1, 2008

All public and private employers, regardless of size, must now have a safety committee or hold safety meetings. Employers of ten or fewer employees used to be exempt unless certain criteria were found by the Director of DCBS. Now, if an employer is agricultural, classified as “small”, or has mobile work sites, rules must be adopted to meet their special needs and providing for alternate forms of safety committees and meetings. “Small” no longer appears to be defined by statute and is left to rule-making. Read more >>