ORS 654.056: Variance from safety or health standards; effect of variance on citations.
Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07
(1) Any employer may apply to the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, pursuant to regulations and procedures adopted by the director, for an order granting the employer a variance from a particular safety or health regulation, rule or standard. (2) The director may grant a temporary variance only if the employer demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that: (a) The employer is unable to comply with a new regulation, rule or standard by its effective date; (b) The employer has an effective program for complying with the law as quickly as practicable; and (c) The employer is taking all available steps in the interim to safeguard the employees of the employer against the hazards covered by the regulation, rule or standard. (3) The director may grant a permanent variance only if the employer demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that the conditions, practices, means, methods, operations or processes used or proposed to be used by the employer will provide employment and a place of employment which are as safe and healthful as those which would prevail if the employer complied with the regulation, rule or standard. (4) Where the director proposes to deny a request for a variance, the employer shall be given an opportunity for a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Board in which the employer may contest the proposed denial. (5) Where the director proposes to grant a variance, the affected employees shall be given an opportunity for a hearing before the board in which they may contest the proposed variance. (6) A request for a variance which is filed after an inspection or investigation by the director will not act to stay or dismiss any citation which may result from such inspection or investigation, and an order granting the requested variance shall have no retroactive effect. (7) An order granting a variance may be modified or revoked by the director upon the director’s own motion or upon the application of the employer or an affected employee or representative of the employee, in the manner prescribed for its issuance at any time after six months from its issuance. [1973 c.833 §13 (enacted in lieu of 654.055); 1977 c.804 §37]
Administrative rules citing this section
- OAR 437-001-0001: Model Rules of Procedure — implements
- OAR 437-001-0002: Notice to Interested Persons of Rulemaking — implements
- OAR 437-001-0005: Authority and Applicability of Rules — implements
- OAR 437-001-0010: Purpose and Scope of Rules — implements
- OAR 437-001-0015: Definitions — implements
- OAR 437-001-0020: Authority to Administer — implements
- OAR 437-001-0025: Liberal Construction — implements
- OAR 437-001-0030: Use of Gender and Number — implements
- OAR 437-001-0035: Occupational Safety and Health Rules — implements
- OAR 437-001-0045: Adoption, Amendment, or Repeal of Rules — implements
- OAR 437-001-0047: Voluntary Compliance Program, General — implements
- OAR 437-001-0050: Enforcement Program, General — implements
- OAR 437-001-0053: Preserving Physical Evidence at the Scene of an Accident — implements
- OAR 437-001-0055: Priority of Inspections — implements
- OAR 437-001-0057: Scheduling Inspections — implements
- OAR 437-001-0060: Advance Notice — implements
- OAR 437-001-0065: Right of Entry — implements
- OAR 437-001-0070: Inspection Warrants — implements
- OAR 437-001-0075: Opening Conference — implements
- OAR 437-001-0080: Inspection Without Employer or Employer Representative — implements
- OAR 437-001-0085: Employee Representation on Inspection Team — implements
- OAR 437-001-0090: Inspection Procedures — implements
- OAR 437-001-0096: Red Warning Notice — implements
- OAR 437-001-0099: Closing Conference — implements
- OAR 437-001-0135: Evaluation of Probability to Establish Penalties — implements
- OAR 437-001-0140: Evaluation of Severity to Establish Penalties — implements
- OAR 437-001-0142: Annual Adjustment of Civil Penalties — implements
- OAR 437-001-0145: Penalty for Other than Serious, Serious, or Caused or Contributed to a Work-Related Fatality Violation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0150: Civil Penalty Adjustments — implements
- OAR 437-001-0155: Determination of Penalty — Failure to Correct — implements
- OAR 437-001-0160: Penalty Criteria — Repeat Violation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0165: Determination of Penalty — Repeat Violation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0170: Determination of Penalty — Failure to Report an Occupational Fatality, Catastrophe, or Accident — implements
- OAR 437-001-0175: Determination of Penalty — Willful or Egregious Violation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0176: Determination of Penalty — Failure to Notify Employees of Advance Notice — implements
- OAR 437-001-0180: Determination of Penalty — Relating to Red Warning Notice — implements
- OAR 437-001-0201: Determination of Penalty — Relating to Field Sanitation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0203: Determination of Penalty — Relating to Violations Which Have No Probability and Severity. — implements
- OAR 437-001-0205: Citation and Notice of Penalty — implements
- OAR 437-001-0215: Employer Response to Citation and Notice of Penalty — implements
- OAR 437-001-0220: Payment of Penalties — implements
- OAR 437-001-0225: Penalty for Falsification — implements
- OAR 437-001-0230: Correction of Violation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0231: Abatement Verification — implements
- OAR 437-001-0235: Failure to Correct Violation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0240: Extension of Correction Date — Application — implements
- OAR 437-001-0245: Extension of Correction Date — Decision — implements
- OAR 437-001-0250: Extension of Correction Date — Revocation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0251: Extension of Correction Date — Hearing on the Application — implements
- OAR 437-001-0255: Requesting an Appeal and an Informal Conference — implements
- OAR 437-001-0265: Amendment, Reissue or Withdrawal of Citation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0270: Discretion To Prevent a Manifest Injustice — implements
- OAR 437-001-0280: Posting on Selected Multi-Employer Jobsites — implements
- OAR 437-001-0285: Form and Content of a Complaint — implements
- OAR 437-001-0290: Division Action on Complaints — implements
- OAR 437-001-0295: Discrimination Complaint — implements
- OAR 437-001-0400: Application for a Variance — implements
- OAR 437-001-0405: Interim Order Relating to a Variance — implements
- OAR 437-001-0410: Administrative Action on Variance Application — implements
- OAR 437-001-0411: Hearings for Variance Applications — implements
- OAR 437-001-0415: Criteria for Variance Approval — implements
- OAR 437-001-0420: Decision on Variance Request — implements
- OAR 437-001-0425: Employer’s Duty to Meet Variance Terms — implements
- OAR 437-001-0430: Modification or Revocation of a Variance — implements
- OAR 437-001-0435: Effect of a Variance Granted by the U.S. Secretary of Labor — implements
- OAR 437-001-0450: Voluntary Compliance Consultative Services — implements
- OAR 437-001-0455: Application for Consultative Services — implements
- OAR 437-001-0460: Consultation — implements
- OAR 437-001-0700: Recording Workplace Injuries and Illnesses — implements
- OAR 437-001-0704: Reporting Fatalities, Catastrophes, Injuries and Illnesses to Oregon OSHA — implements
- OAR 437-001-0740: Falsification or Failure to Keep and Post Records or Make Reports — implements
- OAR 437-001-0760: Rules for All Workplaces — implements
- OAR 437-001-0765: Safety Committees and Safety Meetings. — implements
- OAR 437-001-0800: Application Procedures — implements
- OAR 437-001-0805: Application Review — implements
- OAR 437-001-0810: Grant Awards — implements
- OAR 437-001-1005: Authority and Applicability of Rules — implements
- OAR 437-001-1010: Purpose and Scope — implements
- OAR 437-001-1015: Definitions — implements
- OAR 437-001-1020: General Requirements — implements
- OAR 437-001-1025: Notification of Services — implements
- OAR 437-001-1030: Requests for Services — implements
- OAR 437-001-1035: Loss Prevention Services — implements
- OAR 437-001-1040: Required Loss Prevention Services — implements
- OAR 437-001-1050: Self-Insured and Group Self-Insured Employer Loss Prevention Assistance — implements
- OAR 437-001-1055: Self-Insured and Group Self-Insured Employer Loss Prevention Programs — implements
- OAR 437-001-1060: Self-Insured and Group Self-Insured Employer Loss Prevention Effort — implements
- OAR 437-001-1065: Penalty Provisions for Insurers — implements
- OAR 437-002-0005: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0006: General Oregon Definitions — implements
- OAR 437-002-0007: Testing and Certification — implements
- OAR 437-002-0010: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0015: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0020: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0022: Additional Oregon General Requirements — implements
- OAR 437-002-0026: Portable Ladders — implements
- OAR 437-002-0032: Ramps and Runways — implements
- OAR 437-002-0033: Piers and Wharves — implements
- OAR 437-002-0040: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0041: Exits and Exit Routes — implements
- OAR 437-002-0042: Emergency Action Plan — implements
- OAR 437-002-0043: Fire Prevention Plan — implements
- OAR 437-002-0047: Working Near Overhead High Voltage Lines and Equipment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0060: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0080: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0081: Oregon Ventilation Regulations — implements
- OAR 437-002-0095: Audiometric Testing in Oregon — implements
- OAR 437-002-0098: Additional Applicability — implements
- OAR 437-002-0100: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0101: Oregon Start-Up Dates — implements
- OAR 437-002-0107: Spray Finishing — implements
- OAR 437-002-0109: Explosives and Blasting Agents — implements
- OAR 437-002-0118: Oregon Rules for Reinforced Plastics Manufacturing — implements
- OAR 437-002-0119: Oregon Effective Dates — implements
- OAR 437-002-0120: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0122: Dipping and Coating — implements
- OAR 437-002-0134: Personal Protective Equipment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0139: Working Underway on Water. — implements
- OAR 437-002-0140: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0141: Additional Oregon Sanitation Requirements — implements
- OAR 437-002-0144: Additional Oregon Rules for General Environmental Controls — implements
- OAR 437-002-0145: Additional Oregon Rules for Accident Prevention and Tags — implements
- OAR 437-002-0146: Confined Spaces — implements
- OAR 437-002-0154: Individual Locks — implements
- OAR 437-002-0156: Heat Illness Prevention — implements
- OAR 437-002-0161: Medical Services and First Aid — implements
- OAR 437-002-0170: Worker Protection Standard — implements
- OAR 437-002-0180: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0182: Oregon Rules for Fire Fighters — implements
- OAR 437-002-0187: Portable Fire Extinguishers — implements
- OAR 437-002-0200: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0210: Additional Oregon Rules for Compressed Air and Compressed Gas Equipment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0220: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0221: Additional Oregon Rules for Handling Materials — implements
- OAR 437-002-0223: Oregon Rules for Commercial and Industrial Vehicles — implements
- OAR 437-002-0227: Additional Oregon Rules for Powered Industrial Trucks — implements
- OAR 437-002-0228: Oregon General Requirements for Cranes — implements
- OAR 437-002-0229: Additional Oregon Rules for Overhead and Gantry Cranes — implements
- OAR 437-002-0230: Additional Oregon Rule for Crawler, Locomotive and Truck Cranes — implements
- OAR 437-002-0232: Additional Oregon Rule for Derricks — implements
- OAR 437-002-0233: Oregon Rules for Hammerhead Cranes — implements
- OAR 437-002-0235: Additional Oregon Rule for Slings — implements
- OAR 437-002-0240: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0242: Oregon Rules for Machinery and Machine Guarding — implements
- OAR 437-002-0256: Stationary Compactors, Self-Contained Compactors, and Balers — implements
- OAR 437-002-0260: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0262: Additional Definitions in Oregon — implements
- OAR 437-002-0264: Additional General Requirements for Hand Tools — implements
- OAR 437-002-0266: Additional Oregon Rules for Guarding Portable Powered Tools — implements
- OAR 437-002-0268: Oregon Rules for Hand-Powered Equipment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0279: Additional Oregon Confined Space Requirements — implements
- OAR 437-002-0280: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0281: Manganese — implements
- OAR 437-002-0282: Job Planning and Layout — implements
- OAR 437-002-0283: Additional Protective Clothing Requirements During Hot Work Activities — implements
- OAR 437-002-0284: Additional Specifications for Eye and Face Protection — implements
- OAR 437-002-0285: Additional Special Precautions — implements
- OAR 437-002-0286: Flammable Preservative Coatings — implements
- OAR 437-002-0287: Toxic Preservative Coatings — implements
- OAR 437-002-0288: Additional General Health Protection — implements
- OAR 437-002-0297: Oregon Requirements for Welding or Cutting Containers — implements
- OAR 437-002-0298: Supplied Air Respiratory Equipment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0299: Definitions — implements
- OAR 437-002-0300: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0301: Scope and Application — implements
- OAR 437-002-0302: Definitions — implements
- OAR 437-002-0303: Training and Work Planning — implements
- OAR 437-002-0304: First Aid Requirements — implements
- OAR 437-002-0305: Traffic Control — implements
- OAR 437-002-0306: Electrical Hazards — implements
- OAR 437-002-0307: Personal Protective Equipment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0308: Portable Power Tools — implements
- OAR 437-002-0309: Hand Tools — implements
- OAR 437-002-0310: Work Procedures — implements
- OAR 437-002-0311: Mobile Equipment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0312: Oregon Rules for Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills — implements
- OAR 437-002-0313: Additional Oregon Rules for Sawmills — implements
- OAR 437-002-0314: Veneer and Plywood Machinery — implements
- OAR 437-002-0315: Shake and Shingle Machinery — implements
- OAR 437-002-0316: Oregon Rules for Telecommunications — implements
- OAR 437-002-0320: Adoption by Reference. — implements
- OAR 437-002-0340: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0342: Additional Oregon Definition — implements
- OAR 437-002-0345: Inland Emergency Aid — implements
- OAR 437-002-0355: Air Supply Systems (Compressed Gases and Air) — implements
- OAR 437-002-0360: Adoption by Reference — implements
- OAR 437-002-0363: Oregon Amendment — implements
- OAR 437-002-0364: Oregon Rules for MOCA (4,4'-Methylene Bis (2-chloroaniline)) — implements
- OAR 437-002-0368: Deterioration — implements
- OAR 437-002-0371: Scope and Application — implements
- OAR 437-002-0373: Oregon Rules for Thiram — implements
- OAR 437-002-0376: Delayed Effective Dates for Hazard Communication — implements
- OAR 437-002-0377: Additional Oregon Rules for Hazard Communication — implements
- OAR 437-002-0378: Oregon Rules for Pipe Labeling — implements
- OAR 437-002-0382: Oregon Rules for Air Contaminants — implements
- OAR 437-002-0390: Oregon Effective Dates — implements
- OAR 437-002-0391: Additional Oregon Rules for Carcinogens in Laboratories — implements
- OAR 437-002-1001: Asbestos Respiratory Protection Program — implements
- OAR 437-002-1017: Vinyl Chloride Respiratory Protection Program — implements
- OAR 437-002-1018: Inorganic Arsenic Respiratory Protection Program — implements
This rule cites
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Cited by
Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.html