Safety Alert: OHA Announces End of Indoor Mask Mandates by March 31st

This week OHA announced that the state of Oregon will remove general mask requirements for indoor public places no later than March 31st.

Health scientists expect that by late March about 400 Oregonians may be hospitalized with COVID-19 and stated that state health officials will weigh lifting the mask mandate earlier if hospitalizations drop faster than expected.

The OHA rule does not prohibit organizations from implementing more restrictive requirements so employers and businesses may continue to establish their own mask requirements to protect employees and customers.

Oregon OSHA's COVID-19 safety rule requires employers to follow OHA's requirement to use facial coverings indoors, therefore Oregon OSHA’s requirements will follow the OHA schedule.

Oregon businesses should remember that OR-OSHA's rule also requires employers to implement other measures, including infection control planning, exposure risk assessments, sanitation, and notification. OR-OSHA stated on their website they “will re-engage with stakeholders, including rule advisory committees, over the next few weeks to discuss other changes to the division's rule addressing COVID-19 in the workplace.”

Mask requirements for schools and health care settings are addressed separately from the general mask requirements.

UEA Members can turn to Safety NW for with questions about OR OSHA Safety requirements. Contact them at admin@safetynorthwest.org or learn more about their services by reading their flyer. UEA members receive a discount on any consultation or training through Safety NW.