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Oregon Safety Committee Rules

In Oregon, every business must have a safety committee or hold safety meetings on a regular basis. The only exception to this rule is a business where the owner is the only employee in the business. A safety committee consists of members elected by the employer and the employees. All safety committees must follow certain rules and guidelines for effective operation.

  1. Size and Composition

    • A business that has twenty or fewer employees must have a safety committee with at least two members. Businesses with more than twenty employees must have at least four members on the safety committee. The number of members elected by the employer and the employees must be equal, but with the consent of all committee members, the number of employee-elected members can be greater. The safety committee cannot have a majority of employer-elected members. (See Reference 1.)

    Committee Member Requirements

    • All safety-committee members must be trained in the identification of hazards in the workplace. They must also be trained in the process of accident investigations. They also have an obligation to study safety programs in other organizations and look for ways to improve the policies and procedures that enhance safety in the workplace. (See Reference 1.)

    Committee Member Duties

    • Committee members must attend all safety committee meetings and elect a chairperson for the committee. They must consider suggestions from workers and offer feedback when necessary. They must also work toward resolving complaints from workers. The members must monitor compliance with safety requirements and also identify and control workplace hazards and hazardous substances. They must assist in the training of new workers and implement safety programs in the workplace. The members must also participate in accident investigations and maintain records for the same. Committee members must also carry out workplace inspections on a quarterly basis, except for mobile sites or infrequently used sites. (See Reference 2.)

    Committee Meetings and Minutes

    • Safety committees must meet on a monthly basis. Meetings are not necessary in months where an inspection is scheduled. The members must be compensated at their usual pay rate for meetings and other committee duties. Businesses that have multiple locations can have a centralized safety committee that considers the requirements of employees in all locations. Committees can also use conference calls for meetings. The committee must retain records of every meeting for a minimum of three years. The records must include the meeting date, names of participants, issues discussed, recommendations, evaluations, and deadlines. The safety committee must work with the management to develop procedures for identifying and correcting hazards, investigating accidents, reviewing reports and for evaluating reports and investigations. The safety committee must also ensure that the minutes of meetings are made available to all employees. (See Reference 1.)

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