Oregon OSHA Seeks Comment on Health Care Workplace Violence Rule

Oregon OSHA is seeking public comment on a proposed rule intended to enhance workplace violence protections for certain health care workers. The proposed rule (OAR 437-002-0150) covers home health agencies, home hospice providers, ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals. The article was published August 24, 2026, according to Safety+Health Magazine.

Covered Employers and Scope

The rule applies to home health agencies, home hospice providers, ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals. These employers would be required to consult with their safety committee or, when allowed, with employees during safety meetings on procedures to investigate, collect and report on incidents of workplace violence.

Required Program Elements

The proposed rule includes periodic security and safety assessments to identify existing threats of workplace violence. It requires development and implementation of a workplace violence prevention and protection program based on assessments. Employers must provide workplace violence prevention and protection training on an annual basis. The proposal would amend OAR 437-001-0295 Discrimination Complaint and OAR 437-001-0706 Recordkeeping for Healthcare Assaults.

Comment Process and Timeline

The deadline to comment is 5 p.m. Pacific on Aug. 31. Oregon OSHA requests public comment on whether other options should be considered for achieving the rule’s substantive goals while reducing the negative economic impact of the rule on business. Oregon OSHA operates as a State Plan program under federal OSHA. The tentative adoption of the rule is planned for October 2026, with an effective date of January 2027, according to Safety+Health Magazine.