For several years the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OR-OSHA) has operated a Resource Center in the Labor and Industries Building in Salem to assist employers with training, and provide information about creating safer workplaces. Now, the Oregon OSHA Resource Center is available online, on your schedule, through the Oregon OSHA website, www.orosha.org

Through the Online Resource Center, customers can:

Create your own customer account
Review your account history
Update your existing account
Check your schedule for future loan opportunities
Search for videos by topic
Review the availability of videos
Request training videos
Search for books and documents
View and order Oregon OSHA publications and rules

More than 900 training videos and 13, 000 books, pamphlets and periodicals are available for loan through the Oregon OSHA Resource Center. Printed materials and videos cover a wide variety of workplace safety and health topics, reflecting the rich diversity of occupations that make up Oregon's economy. Materials are targeted to help small-business employers create a safe working climate to help safeguard the over 1.7 million workers in Oregon protected by Oregon OSHA.

Making the system user-friendly was a high priority for Oregon OSHA. "Our goal is accessibility," says Don Harris, audiovisual librarian for Oregon OSHA. "Oregon residents are busy people, and we know it's not always possible to phone or visit our Resource Center in Salem during business hours. Thanks to this new system, the Resource Center is open almost around the clock except brief downtime for server maintenance."

The usual loan period for books and videos is two weeks. Borrowers agree to pay return shipping for any items borrowed, but there is no other charge. Currently, books and other printed materials must be checked out in person at the Resource Center. In addition to library materials, there are over sixty publications and manuals produced by Oregon OSHA to help employers. The first copy of any Oregon OSHA publication is always free, however there may be a charge for additional copies to cover printing costs.

The Oregon OSHA Resource Center is located at 350 Winter Street in Salem and is open to the public from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information about the Resource Center call 800-922-2689 (toll-free within Oregon) or contact the Resource Center via electronic mail, don.j.harris@state.or.us