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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021 | 7A OSHA proposes permanent COVID-19 workplace rules Seeking to extend protections for workers against the coronavirus disease, Oregon OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administra- tion) is proposing a per- manent rule that largely maintains — with some improvements — the risk-reducing measures required by the current temporary emergency rule. It would replace the temporary rule, which expires on May 4. The proposed perma- nent rule will receive virtual public hearings later this month and in early March. Although the rule must be adopt- ed as a permanent rule because the law does not allow a temporary rule to be extended, Oregon OSHA expects to repeal the permanent rule once it is no longer needed to address the coronavirus pandemic. “The public health emergency triggered by COVID-19 remains a significant concern in Oregon — as we know, we have not yet defeat- ed this disease and we clearly will not have done so by the time the tem- porary rule expires. As a result, it is critically important that we carry forward measures that we know are effective at combating the spread of this disease and reducing risks in the workplace,” said Michael Wood, ad- ministrator for Oregon OSHA. “Failure to do so will undoubtedly leave workers far less protected and leave employers with far less clarity and cer- tainty in terms of what is expected of them.” As with the temporary rule, which took effect Nov. 16, 2020, the pro- posed permanent rule maintains such require- ments as physical dis- tancing; use of face cov- erings; regular sanitation; employee notification and training; maximiza- tion and maintenance of existing ventilation sys- tems; and formal expo- sure risk assessment and infection control plan- ning. The proposed per- manent rule would allow employers to rely upon the risk assessments, in- fection control plans, and infection control training already completed. However, the perma- nent rule would add measures and strength- en provisions in certain areas. Those proposed changes include: • Requiring employers to consider alternatives to transporting multiple people in a single vehicle, although such transpor- tation would not be pro- hibited. • Slightly modifying the ventilation measures so that employers with more than 10 employees — and that have exist- ing ventilation systems — must certify in writ- ing that they are running their systems in line with current requirements. The proposed rule does not require the purchase or installation of new ventilation systems. • Requiring employers to provide written noti- fication to employees of their rights to return to work when employees must quarantine. • Requiring employers to cooperate with public health authorities that ask to arrange for vacci- nation in the workplace. This proposed require- ment is similar to the temporary rule’s provi- sion mandating cooper- ation with public health officials if COVID-19 testing in the workplace is necessary. • Requiring health care employers to pro- vide respirators to em- ployees working with known or suspected COVID-19-positive pa- tients unless they demon- strate there is a genuine shortage that they are working to resolve. The proposed perma- nent rule also strength- ens the language dis- couraging the use of face shields, which have been shown to be less effec- PeaceHealth COVID-19 vaccination update tive than masks or facial coverings although such devices would remain an option for source control. The proposed perma- nent rule was developed in consultation with two rulemaking advisory committees assembled for the purpose. It large- ly reflects the provisions of the current temporary rule, which itself was based to a large extent on the guidance produced by the Oregon Health Authority and enforced in the workplace by Or- egon OSHA. The tempo- rary rule was developed following an extensive stakeholder and public comment process last summer, which is not normally the case when temporary rules are de- veloped. Oregon OSHA encour- ages a careful reading of the proposed perma- nent rule. Virtual public hearings will be held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 and Feb. 26, and at 5 p.m. on March 3 and March 4. Details on how to sign up for the hearings — as well as other options for com- menting on the proposed rule — are now available. The comment period will close on April 2. Learn more about the division’s workplace guidance and resources at osha.oregon.gov/Pag- es/re/covid-19.aspx. PeaceHealth Medical Group is proud to play a pivotal role in helping end this pandemic. Following federal and state guidance, PeaceHealth has provided a COVID-19 vaccine to more than 12,000 health care workers. The local healthcare provider is eager to begin offering the vaccine to others in its communities as more vaccine becomes available and states indi- cate more people are eli- gible. Here are a few questions people have been asking PeaceHealth: Should I get vacci- nated for COVID-19? Most people should get vaccinated. The two vaccines that have been approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. have been proven very safe and are 94-95 percent effective in preventing people from getting COVID-19. The more people that get vac- cinated, the safer our com- munities will be — and the quicker we can get back to “normal.” Find out more about the vaccines in the FAQs on our COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Center, www. peacehealth.org/coronavi- rus/vaccine-information. Who can get a vaccine right now? You can get vaccinated at PeaceHealth if you are eligible according to the rules in your state, and if PeaceHealth has vaccine available. Vaccine doses are allocated each week at the federal level and dis- tributed through states, and we follow state and lo- cal public health orders on who is eligible to receive those doses. PeaceHealth is commit- ted to ensuring that pa- tients who receive a first dose also receive the sec- ond required dose. You can check who is eligible in your state from our COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Center. Eligibili- ty does not guarantee that Cultural Coalition seeks member from West Lane County Buying or Selling? I can help. 88336 Hwy 101 – Great opportunity to own a cute cottage in Florence with an extra lot behind it. Bring your tools and your ideas. 3 bdrm, 1 bath with 960 sqft and a total of .61 of an acre. Call for your personal viewing today! $185,000. #3144- 20635134 Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 include evaluating grant applications, selecting new committee members, and promoting the Ore- gon Cultural Trust within our local community. Requirements: 1) Ability to meet via Zoom during the pan- demic. We will continue to do so until it is safe to convene in person. 2) Access to email. 3) Grants are written and received in English, therefore, a reading com- petency in English is re- quired. Applications are avail- able online laneculture. net/about-us/join-us/. People can return appli- cations to info@lanecul- ture.net or mail them to: Lane County Cultural Coalition c/o Lane Arts Council, 1590 Willamette St., Suite 200, Eugene, OR 97401. For more information, visit laneculture.net. Visit us on the web T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM S IUSLAW N EWS We’re buying used cars, trucks and SUV’s. Any make or model, paid for or not. NO 87632 North Hwy 101, Florence 541.997.9702 Climate Controlled – Circulating Dehumidifi ed Air 24/7 Safe & Secure Storage • Cameras & Lighting We are delighted and grateful that Heceta Self Storage was voted Best Self Storage in Florence! 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Thank you for your support! BOB HORNEY, CHAPTER LEADER/FACILITATOR BOTH MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD. WATCH SIUSLAW NEWS FOR RESUMPTION • Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday) 5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends. • Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday) 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends. Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net Since 1983 Alva Bracey E Prostate Cancer Education/Support on the Oregon Coast www.ustoofl orence.org F Please call today for quote. All quotes by appointment only. F LO E N C R Us TOO Florence INATE US M F LO E N C R Since 1939 Florence, Oregon We look forward to of- fering the vaccine to as many people as possible in the coming months. Thank you for trusting us with your care. For more information about PeaceHealth, visit www.peacehealth.org. BEST O Johnston Motor Company F O T S E B How much will a vac- cine cost? There is no out-of-pock- et expense for COVID-19 vaccines delivered to any patient at PeaceHealth vaccination sites. NOTICE 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 INATE US M Do I need to make an appointment? Yes, appointments are required to receive the vaccine at PeaceHealth at this time. This is to ensure that we’re delivering the vaccine in an orderly way to people who are eligi- ble, and for the health and safety of people at the vac- cination sites. Vaccination appoint- ments are not available now, but will be soon. You’ll be able to make an appointment using My PeaceHealth or by calling a phone number we’ll pro- vide when our vaccination clinics are accepting ap- pointments. E from BIPOC community members in the county’s arts and culture commu- nities. Successful applicants will serve 3-year terms alongside representatives from all five Lane County districts — two members from each district, plus one representative from the Lane Arts Council and one member-at-large. The new members will be appointed in June 2021. The coalition’s primary task is to distribute more than $30,000 of Oregon Cultural Trust funds to Lane County arts, her- itage and humanities projects. Responsibilities When can I get vaccinated? You can visit www. p eacehealth.org/coro- navirus/vaccine-sched- ule to sign up for general COVID-19 vaccine email updates on eligibility and availability. MyPeace- Health patients will also be notified when medical or age-related information in your electronic health record indicates you are eligible. If you haven’t done so al- ready, now is a good time to set up your MyPeace- Health account and make sure all your contact infor- mation is up to date so you can make appointments, receive test results and manage prescriptions. NO The Lane County Cul- tural Coalition is seeking applications from Lane County residents interest- ed in serving on the Lane County Cultural Coali- tion. Currently, the coali- tion seeks representatives who either live or work in West Lane County, Dis- trict 1, and Springfield, District 2. The coalition seeks two energetic and commit- ted community members with a passion in the ar- eas of arts, heritage, and humanities. Made up of 12 representatives from across Lane County, the coalition especially welcomes applications the vaccine will be avail- able. Broker Your goals are my top priority. Let’s get together! LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes • Shocks Alignments 4325 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7178 Call, Text or Email Cell: 541-505-1180 Alva@CBCoast.com 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR COAST REAL ESTATE ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques & Coast Jewelers Insect & Pest Removal Trapping • Mole/Gopher Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities. (541) 997-4027 MODEL TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence Over ars 50 Ye ce! rien Expe CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE! I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE. 541-255-9822 - Larry landl316@live.com Us TOO Florence Prostate Cancer Education Support on the Oregon Coast www.ustooflorence.org BOTH MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD. WATCH SIUSLAW NEWS FOR RESUMPTION • Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday) 5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends. • Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday) 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends. Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net
