In response to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) revised guidance for fully vaccinated individuals, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon OSHA have revised and published new guidance for those fully vaccinated. A fully vaccinated individual is defined as a person who has received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the single dose vaccine, and at least 14 days have passed since the final dose was received. Under the Oregon OSHA guidance, Oregon businesses do not need to require masks or physical distancing for fully vaccinated visitors or customers. In an important deviation from the CDC’s guidance, businesses or employers who want to lift the face covering and physical distancing requirements must confirm the vaccination status of any employee that will be subject to the new guidance.
The OR-OSHA guidance adopts OHA definitions and standards, noting that OR-OSHA “expects employers to ensure that the physical distancing and facial covering requirements of the rule are enforced[.]” Appropriate documentation of vaccination includes vaccination record cards or a copy or digital photo of the card. An employee who claims to be vaccinated but does not provide verification must comply with face covering and physical distancing requirements. Oregon employers who do not want to confirm vaccination status may simply choose to follow existing face covering and physical distancing requirements.
It is important to note that all other aspects of OR-OSHA COVID 19 workplace safety rules still apply. For example, employers still must notify “exposed employees” (those who were within six feet of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes) and “affected employees” (those who worked in the same facility or well-defined portion of the facility) within 24 hours of their potential exposure to COVID-19. PRINTING United Alliance has created a fact sheet on the rules requirements that is available at no charge to members.
The PRINTING United Alliance continues to follow this important industry issue. For more information, please reach out to Marci Kinter at mkinter@printing.org; or Gary Jones at gjones@printing.org