Oregon Heat Illness Prevention Plan — OAR 437-002-0156 Compliant
Oregon's heat rule covers BOTH indoor and outdoor work in one standard — broader than California's split approach. Triggers at 80°F with additional requirements at 90°F. The plan includes the acclimatization plan and Oregon-specific recordkeeping.
When this template is required
Required of every Oregon employer with employees exposed to heat. Triggers at 80°F (heat index for indoor, ambient for outdoor); additional requirements at 90°F. Oregon's heat rule applies to both indoor and outdoor work in a single standard — more inclusive than California's split outdoor/indoor approach.
Why this template
Single plan covers indoor AND outdoor
Unlike California which has separate standards for outdoor (§3395) and indoor (§3396), Oregon combines both into one rule. The template is built to Oregon's single-rule structure — simpler to deploy and maintain.
Heat trigger at 80°F, high-heat at 90°F
OAR 437-002-0156 triggers at 80°F (lower than California's outdoor 80°F + indoor 82°F differential). High-heat requirements activate at 90°F (vs. California's 95°F). The plan covers both thresholds.
Mandatory acclimatization plan
Oregon requires a documented acclimatization plan for new employees and employees returning from extended absences. The template includes the acclimatization schedule and tracking form.
Bilingual employee communication
Significant Spanish-speaking workforce in Oregon agriculture and construction. The plan includes English/Spanish heat-illness recognition cards and training materials.
What you receive
- Oregon Heat Illness Prevention Plan (Word .docx) — OAR 437-002-0156 aligned
- Temperature measurement procedure (indoor and outdoor)
- Water, shade, and rest provision procedures
- Acclimatization plan for new and returning employees
- High-heat (≥90°F) additional procedures
- Emergency response procedure (heat illness recognition and medical response)
- Employee training outline (Oregon-required content)
- Heat illness recognition wallet card
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) employee notifications
- Annual program review log
How you get it
This document is written and reviewed against the standard it cites, and it is ready now. The download link is emailed as soon as your payment clears.
Revisions included — if something about your operation changes what the document should say, reply to the delivery email and we will amend it.
Who buys this
- Oregon agriculture (orchards, berry farms, nurseries, dairies)
- Oregon construction (any outdoor work)
- Oregon manufacturing (foundries, food processing, indoor with heat)
- Oregon landscaping and tree care
- Oregon warehousing and distribution
- Any Oregon employer with employees exposed to heat
Frequently asked
How is Oregon's heat rule different from California's?
Three main differences: (1) Coverage — Oregon's single rule covers both indoor and outdoor; California has separate rules (§3395 outdoor, §3396 indoor); (2) Trigger temperatures — Oregon triggers at 80°F across the board; California is 80°F outdoor / 82°F indoor; (3) High-heat threshold — Oregon's high-heat requirements activate at 90°F; California's at 95°F (outdoor) or 87°F (indoor). Oregon's rule is somewhat stricter in trigger thresholds but simpler in structure.
Who's covered by Oregon's heat rule?
OAR 437-002-0156 applies to every Oregon employer with employees exposed to heat — outdoor work, indoor work where temperature reaches 80°F. There's no industry exemption. OAR 437-004-1131 is a separate agricultural-specific rule that closely mirrors §002-0156 with some agriculture-tailored provisions.
What does the acclimatization plan require?
Acclimatization protects employees who haven't been exposed to heat for 14+ days (new hires, employees returning from absence, employees moving from cool to hot conditions). The plan must specify: progressive heat exposure (typically 20% on day 1, increasing 20% per day); supervisor observation procedures; signs/symptoms to monitor; and what to do if heat illness develops during acclimatization.
What are the high-heat procedures at 90°F?
When temperature reaches 90°F: more frequent water reminders; more frequent supervisor observation; pre-shift meetings to brief employees on heat conditions; designated person to contact emergency services; communication system to enable summoning aid. Similar in structure to California's high-heat procedures but lower temperature trigger.
Does this work for Oregon agriculture under OAR 437-004-1131?
Mostly. The Oregon agricultural heat rule (§004-1131) is structured the same as the general industry rule (§002-0156) but with agriculture-specific provisions (field worker scenarios, transportation, housing). The template provides the core plan; agricultural employers should overlay the §004-1131-specific requirements as a supplement.