Walking/working surfaces - Oregon

Oregon adopted the federal regulation by reference, but the state added substantial amount of information beyond the federal walking/working surfaces requirements. Click the link below to view the federal requirements.

Walking/Working Surfaces

Citations

Oregon: Oregon Administrative Rules; Department of Consumer and Business Services; Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division; Division 2; General Occupational Safety and Health Rules; General

Federal: 29 CFR 1910.21, .22, .23, .24, .25, .26, .27, .28, .29, and .30

A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Oregon defines a low-slope roof as one with a slope less than or equal to 2 in 12 (federal is 4 in 12).
• If covers over openings are removed or excavations are made in places accessible to vehicles or pedestrians, barriers or guards must be erected and, at night, warning lights or flares must be used. Otherwise, a watchperson must be stationed.
• A vertical clearance of at least 6-1/2 feet must be provided over work areas.
• Aisles, passageways, and walkways must be at least 22 inches wide.
• Fixed inclined walkways must not be inclined at more than 24 degrees.
• Moveable inclined walkways extending to floats or floating equipment (except to vessels under federal jurisdiction) must be at least 20 inches wide and secured at the upper end only.
• An anti-slip surface (such as cleats secured at uniform intervals of up to 18 inches) must be applied to inclined walkways whenever warranted.
• Inclines (instead of stairs) extending from floor to floor have standard railings per 1910.29(b).
• In addition to the surface conditions in 1910.22(a)(3), aisles, passageways, walkways, and inclines are maintained free of holes, unevenness, or any unnecessary obstructions or debris that may create a hazard.
• Ramps and runways for vehicles must be provided with timber guards of at least nominal 6-inch by 6-inch material set on nominal 3-inch blocks, or the equivalent, placed parallel to and secured to the sides of the ramp or runway.
• Open sides of piers and wharves more than 4 feet above ground or water level must be provided with a shear or guard timber (bull rail) of at least 6-inch by 6-inch wood material set on nominal 3-inch blocking, or material of equal strength and of minimum height securely attached. The open sides not used for loading or unloading purposes must also be provided with standard handrails.
• Ladders or other means of access reaching from low water mark to the dock floor must be provided for each 400 feet (or portion thereof) of the water side of all wharves and piers. Portable ladders must be securely fastened.
• Oregon added definitions and requirements for job-made ladders, self-supporting ladders, and non-self-supporting ladders. The state also adopted the ANSI standards for wood, metal, and plastic ladders.
• Oregon adopted extensive additional requirements for rope decent and rope access systems.