Department of Consumer and Business Services
Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - Chapter 437
Division 1
RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OREGON SAFE EMPLOYMENT ACT
437-001-0055
Priority of Inspections
Inspections will be prioritized to predominantly focus enforcement activities on places of employment reasonably believed to be the most unsafe. Inspections should generally be made according to the following priorities:
(1) Imminent danger — An inspection should be made as soon as possible after the Division becomes aware of the condition, practice, or act that could reasonably be expected to immediately cause death or serious physical harm.
(2) Fatality, catastrophe, or accident — An inspection, if appropriate, should be made as soon as possible after the Division becomes aware of a fatality, catastrophe, or accident.
(3) Complaint — An inspection may be initiated when the Division receives a complaint, based on the nature and credibility of the allegations.
(4) Referral — An inspection may be made if safety or health violations were observed and referred by a Division employee; federal, state, or local government representative; or the media, based on the nature and credibility of the allegations.
(5) Programmed Inspections for Cause – An inspection may be made by following the provisions in OAR 437-001-0057(8).
(6) Programmed Inspections — An inspection may be made by following the provisions in OAR 437-001-0057.
(7) Follow-up — An inspection may be initiated when one or more of the following exists:
(a) The employer requests removal of a red warning notice.
(b) A variance request has been denied.
(c) An extension of time has been denied.
(d) The Division believes the employer may not be in compliance with a previously cited violation, or needs monitoring as they progress towards correction of a violation.
(e) The employer is issued an order to correct for one or more violations that if cited could be considered serious.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 654.025(2) & 656.726(4)
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 654.001 - 654.326, 654.412 - 654.423 & 654.991
History:
OSHA 3-2023, amend filed 11/22/2023, effective 01/01/2024
OSHA 5-2018, amend filed 11/29/2018, effective 12/17/2018
OSHA 10-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-5-09
OSHA 4-2000, f. 4-14-00, cert. ef. 4-15-00
OSHA 11-1999(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-20-99 thru 4-14-00
OSHA 7-1992, f. 7-31-92, cert. ef. 10-1-92
APD 7-1988, f. 6-17-88, ef. 7-1-74
APD 6-1987, f. 12-23-87, ef. 1-1-88
WCD 6-1982, f. 6-28-82, ef. 8-1-82
WCD 4-1981, f. 5-22-81, ef. 7-1-81
WCD 5-1978, f. 6-22-78, ef. 8-15-78