Oregon OSHA Permanent Wildfire Smoke Regulation Effective July 1

Oregon farm employers will be required to protect employees against the health effects of wildfire smoke, requiring employee training and provision for voluntary use of N95 respirators when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 201, use of feasible engineering or administrative controls to reduce exposures below an AQI of 201, and implementation of a complete respiratory protection program when the AQI exceeds 501. The new permanent rule is effective July 1, 2019. You can find a summary and regulatory language at Employer Resources: Wildfire Smoke Employee Protection & Regulations: Oregon OSHA Wildfire Smoke Regulation.