Oregon OSHA and Other Agencies Issue COVID-19 Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
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In response to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) revised guidance for fully vaccinated individuals, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon OSHA have revised and published their 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 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. As with businesses and customers, 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
To become a member of PRINTING United Alliance and learn more about how PRINTING United Alliance subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.
Marcia Kinter is the Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance. Ms. Kinter oversees the development of resources for the Association addressing environmental, safety & health, and sustainability issues. She represents the printing industry, as well as their associated supplier base, before federal and state regulatory agencies on environmental, safety and other government issues directly impacting the printing industry.
In 2008, Kinter, in conjunction with colleagues from other printing trade associations, was instrumental in launching the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership program. The SGP Program is a registry system for printing facilities that includes third party verification. The program successfully launched as an independent organization in August 2008.
Kinter is a member of and serves as Secretary for the Academy of Screen Printing Technology. In 2001, Kinter received the William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award for significant advancement of environmental awareness in the graphic arts industry.
Before joining PRINTING United Alliance, Kinter worked for The American Waterways Operators, Inc., the national association for the barge and towing industry.
She holds bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.
