Oregon First Aid: What you need to know

Oregon has adopted workplace medical treatment and first-aid requirements for general industry that are stricter than federal standards (OAR 437-002-0161).

First aid generally includes any one-time treatment and follow-up for observation of minor injuries, including cuts, abrasions, bruises, first-degree burns, sprains, and splinters. At most workplaces, injuries or illnesses requiring only first aid are commonplace.

Medical treatment is the response by professional medical personnel to serious injuries and illnesses, such as puncture wounds, fractures, infections, second- and third-degree burns, and other injuries that require more than one-time treatment or observation.

There are no state laws requiring employers to have a clinic at the worksite or to keep a doctor or nurse on call to treat workplace injuries. However, state as well as federal standards require every employer to ensure that medical personnel are readily available for advice and consultation and that when an infirmary, clinic, or hospital is not within close proximity to the workplace, there is an individual (or individuals) who are adequately trained to administer first aid. Employers are responsible for making decisions about the details of emergency medical care in their workplaces, depending upon the size, the kinds of hazards present, the history of accidents, and the costs of various options.

Bloodborne pathogens. Employees providing first aid may be exposed to human blood. The federal bloodborne pathogens standard requires employers of any employees with a "reasonably anticipated" risk of exposure to blood to develop a written plan to control exposure, detailing training and other precautionary procedures.

Chemical exposure. In cases of ...