OAR 437-003-0045: Additional Definitions

The following definitions are in addition to those found in 1926.751: (1) Certification required by this section means “in writing.” NOTE: In Oregon, a competent person is considered to be someone with equivalent skills as a qualified person in identifying existing and potential hazards in the workplace, while also being authorized by the employer or employer’s representative to take immediate corrective action to control or eliminate hazards. (2) Dangerous equipment — Equipment such as pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, machinery, electrical equipment, and other units which, as a result of form or function, may be hazardous to employees who fall onto or into such equipment. (3) Lower levels — Those areas or surfaces to which an employee can fall. Such areas or surfaces include, but are not limited to, ground levels, floors, platforms, ramps, runways, excavations, pits, tanks, material, water, equipment, structures. NOTE: Oregon OSHA did not adopt the federal OSHA definition of “Opening.” In Oregon, OAR 437-003-0045(4) applies. (4) Opening means a gap or void 12 inches (30.5 cm) or more in any dimension in a floor, roof or other walking/working surface. For the purposes of this subpart, skylight and smoke domes that do not meet the strength requirements of 1926.754(e)(3) shall be regarded as openings. (5) Walking/working surface means any surface, whether horizontal or vertical on which an employee walks or works, including, but not limited to, floors, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, formwork, beams, columns, trusses and concrete reinforcing steel but not ladders, vehicles, or trailers, on which employees must be located in order to perform their job duties. [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]