Oregon Worker Heat, Wildfire Smoke Rules Upheld by Federal Court

Oregon OSHA can continue to enforce new rules protecting workers from heat stress and wildfire smoke, a federal magistrate judge ruled.

The court dismissed a lawsuit challenging the rules filed by Oregon Manufacturers and Commerce and other agriculture business groups.

Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke of the US District Court for the District of Oregon said in the Tuesday decision that the state acted lawfully when it enacted the rules earlier this year and that compliance requirements weren’t vague as the business groups alleged.

Employers “can clearly determine whether the ambient heat is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit” and the smoke ...