ORS 654.090 Occupational safety and health activities; voluntary compliance; rules; consultative services

In order to carry out the purposes of ORS 654.001 to 654.295, 654.412 to 654.423 and 654.750 to 654.780 and encourage voluntary compliance with occupational safety and health laws, regulations and standards and to promote more effective workplace health and safety programs, the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services shall:

Develop greater knowledge and interest in the causes and prevention of industrial accidents, occupational diseases and related subjects through:

Research, conferences, lectures and the use of public communications media;

The collection and dissemination of accident statistics; and

The publication and distribution of training and accident prevention materials, including audio and visual aids.

Appoint advisers who shall, without compensation, assist the director in establishing standards of safety and health. The director may adopt and incorporate in its regulations, rules and standards such safety and health recommendations as it may receive from such advisers.

Provide consultative services for employers on safety and health matters and prescribe procedures which will permit any employer to request a special inspection or investigation, focused on specific problems or hazards in the place of employment of the employer or to request assistance in developing a plan to correct such problems or hazards, which will not directly result in a citation and civil penalty.

Place emphasis, in the research, education and consultation program, on development of a model for providing services to groups of small employers in particular industries and their employees.

Separately administer the voluntary compliance and research, education and consultation activities described in this section and the enforcement activities described in ORS 654.025 to 654.086.