The discussions stemmed from an executive order issued by Governor Kitzhaber in 1996. The agreement affects seven of the nine recognized tribal reservations in Oregon.
Similar agreements are already in place for the other two tribes.
The effective date is December 1, 1998. In addition, Oregon OSHA will seek approval of memorandums of understanding from each of the nine Indian tribes, to allow the state to continue its jurisdiction over non-federal public employees performing work on tribal lands. Federal OSHA requires the state to continue jurisdiction over state, county, and city workers in matters of occupational safety and health. Oregon OSHA has no jurisdiction over tribal employees. Tribal input throughout the process has consistently supported a return to federal OSHA jurisdiction to end long-standing confusion regarding occupational safety and health jurisdiction on tribal lands.