Forest Activity Road Signs and Fines

It will be a big deal soon if your jobsite is not signed to alert drivers of operational dangers on roadways, such as falling, cables, or equipment movements. Oregon-OSHA, OAR 437-007-0515 requires warning signs to be posted in advance of hazardous conditions. The Oregon Legislature in 2023 passed SB592, against AOL opposition, which raises the dollar penalties for “serious violations”.

The lack of proper warning signs is an Oregon-OSHA SERIOUS violation. 

The current penalty for a SERIOUS violation ranges from $100 to $13,500.  A recent OSHA site visit to a member company, produced a penalty of $120 for lack of signs.  The change will increase the price for a serious penalty.

The new law has increased Oregon OSHA’s civil penalty minimums and maximums for serious, willful, and repeat violations:

a. Serious violations – $1,116 to $15,625 (currently $100 to $13,500 in administrative rule)
b. Willful or repeat violations – $11,162 to $156,259 (currently $200 to $135,653 in administrative rule)

The lack of an appropriate sign would cost your company at least $1,116, if cited for this Oregon-OSHA violation.

The warning signs required are defined in statute as well. The warning signs must be placed a minimum of 300 feet in advance of the operation. The signs must be a minimum square of 24” with an orange background. The letters must be 4” in black.

A best practice is to install warning signs on your jobsite, and document that you did. Take a picture showing the signs you installed. Look for them every day. This is an easy citation to avoid with attention to warning sign placement.