On March 30, 2023, Oregon OSHA temporarily suspended all COVID-19-related rules. This suspension includes the rules addressing COVID-19 workplace risks and workplace requirements for employer-provided labor housing. This suspension comes after Oregon Health Authority’s announcement that masks are no longer required in health care settings. 

The suspension became effective on April 3, 2023.

Rule Suspension Overview

Oregon OSHA is suspending COVID-19-related rules, but the agency has also stated they are still concerned about employee vulnerability to COVID-19. For this reason, Oregon OSHA is temporarily amending the following rules:

• Personal protective equipment in division 2;
• Personal protective equipment in division 3; and
• Work clothing in division 4.

Employers are required to provide facial coverings to their employees only if employees are required to use them. Employers that require using facial coverings must also supply them at no cost to their employees.

In addition, employers are no longer required to allow the voluntary use of respirators if employees request to use them in place of a face covering

Employees in the general industry have not been required to wear a face mask since March 18, 2022. Although this suspension is temporary, Oregon OSHA expects to move forward with repealing the rules permanently.

Employer Next Steps

Employers should review all their workplace safety policies and revise them to reflect the changes to the COVID-19 workplace safety rules. Employers should also take time to communicate these changes to their employees

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