OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster in Salem, Oregon (2026)
An OSHA inspection can result in citations and fines if this mandatory workplace posting is missing or outdated. This is the federal OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster, required for nearly all employers in Salem, Oregon, as administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The 2026 version, often called the mandatory OSHA poster or workplace rights notice, ensures you meet federal posting requirements. Key facts:
- 14 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 12
- $0–$0 government filing fees — the poster is free
- Varies processing timeline — available for immediate download
Analyzed from OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster
86% from one compliance interview
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Why You Need a OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster
Your restaurant in Salem is federally required to display the current version of the OSHA "Job Safety and Health - It's the Law" poster in a conspicuous location. This mandatory notification is established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and its implementing regulations, 29 CFR Part 1903.2(a)(1). This federal law applies to nearly all private sector employers, including restaurants, and is enforced by the federal OSHA, which oversees workplace safety in Oregon through its Region 10 office. The purpose is to inform all employees of their rights to a safe workplace and to report hazards without fear of retaliation.
Failing to post this specific, up-to-date OSHA notice is a direct violation of federal law and carries significant risks. Based on the U.S. Department of Labor's 2026 penalty adjustments for inflation, the financial and operational consequences are concrete and severe:
- Initial Citation Fines: An OSHA inspector can issue a citation for failing to post the required notice. This is considered an 'other-than-serious' violation, but it can still trigger a base penalty.
- Increased Scrutiny: A missing poster signals poor compliance, which can lead to a more thorough inspection and citations for any other safety violations found, such as slip hazards or improper machine guarding, with far higher penalties.
- Employee Relations & Legal Risk: Not displaying the poster can undermine your safety culture. If an employee files a whistleblower complaint and the poster was not posted, it weakens your defense. Insurance providers and potential lessors may also view this as a compliance failure during reviews.
Legal code: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)
Recent update: The mandatory poster was updated in 2024 to include new anti-retaliation protections and reporting information; OSHA's 2026 penalty increases for all violation types took effect on January 16, 2026.
Who Needs a OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required under OSHA Act § 5(a)(1) as a non-farm employer with one or more employees engaged in interstate commerce. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required, as establishments serving alcohol that employ staff are subject to federal OSHA jurisdiction in Salem. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required if you have any employees; mobile food vendors operating with payroll are covered employers under OSHA. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required, as businesses with employees that purchase goods from out-of-state (e.g., coffee beans) meet the interstate commerce trigger. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (14 Fields)
12 of 14 auto-filledBusiness has employees
booleanSelect 'Yes' if your business hires any employees (including part-time, temporary, or family members); select 'No' only if you are the sole worker and have no payroll staff, as the federal OSHA poster requirement applies to all employers with one or more employees.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' when you have even one part-time employee, which misrepresents your legal obligation and could lead to citation during an OSHA inspection for failure to display the required poster.
Total number of employees
numberEnter the total number of individuals on your payroll across all locations, including all part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers, as this count is used by state OSHA agencies to verify your coverage under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering '0' when you have employees or failing to include all locations and worker classifications, which creates a discrepancy in your official record and may flag your business for audit.
Primary workplace address
addressProvide the complete, physical street address (not a P.O. Box) of your main restaurant or business establishment where the majority of your employees report to work, as this is the primary location where OSHA inspectors would verify poster compliance.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a mailing address, corporate office address, or home address instead of the physical work location, which fails to meet the posting requirement at the actual worksite and can delay processing.
Has multiple work locations
booleanSelect 'Yes' if you operate more than one distinct worksite (e.g., a second kitchen, a food truck base, a separate catering facility) where employees work, as OSHA requires the poster to be displayed at each separate establishment.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' when you have secondary work locations, which omits your obligation to post at all sites and could result in separate citations for each location found without the poster.
Additional workplace locations
textList the full addresses of any secondary worksites (e.g., '123 Catering Drive, Salem, OR 97301'), separated by commas or semicolons, to ensure compliance tracking for all locations under your control.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank when 'has_multiple_locations' is 'Yes,' or providing incomplete addresses, which creates an incomplete compliance record and increases inspection risk at unlisted sites.
Spanish version needed
booleanSelect 'Yes' if any of your employees primarily speak or read Spanish, as OSHA requires the poster to be displayed in a language understood by workers; if unsure, selecting 'Yes' ensures compliance.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' when you have Spanish-speaking staff, which violates OSHA's accessible communication standard (29 CFR 1903.2(a)) and can lead to fines for failing to provide the poster in a comprehensible language.
Other language requirements
textList any other languages (e.g., 'Vietnamese, Russian') spoken by a significant portion of your workforce, as OSHA mandates that the poster be provided in languages employees understand, and this field triggers guidance on obtaining translated versions.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting languages spoken by employees, which fails to address OSHA's requirement for effective communication and leaves your business vulnerable to citations for inadequate safety notice posting.
Poster downloaded from OSHA website
booleanConfirm you have downloaded the official 'Job Safety and Health - It's the Law' poster (Rev. 2026) from OSHA.gov or an authorized distributor, as only the current version meets the federal display requirement.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Yes' without verifying you have the 2026 revision or using an outdated poster, which does not fulfill the legal requirement and can result in fines during an inspection.
Poster printed
booleanConfirm you have physically printed the poster on durable paper at standard poster size (approximately 24" x 36") or larger, as OSHA requires it to be displayed legibly and conspicuously in the workplace.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Yes' when the poster is only saved digitally or printed at a small, illegible size, which fails the 'conspicuous posting' standard and is a common cause of citation.
Where poster will be displayed
textDescribe the specific, accessible location where the poster is posted (e.g., 'Employee break room bulletin board next to time clock' or 'Kitchen entrance near safety manual'), ensuring it's in a common area where all employees can see it.
COMMON MISTAKE: Vague descriptions like 'in the office' or listing an inaccessible location (e.g., manager's private office), which does not satisfy OSHA's requirement for posting in a prominent place frequented by employees.
ApronPrep auto-fills 12 of 14 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster Mistakes
1. Posting an Outdated Version
Displaying the previous 2015 or 2017 version of the poster instead of the mandatory 2026 (or current) revision. OSHA updates the poster to reflect changes in reporting requirements and worker rights. The consequence is an OSHA inspector can cite your restaurant under 29 CFR 1903.2(a)(1) for failure to post the current poster, resulting in a fine. How to avoid: Download the poster directly from OSHA.gov's 'Poster' page for Oregon workplaces, and check the revision date in the bottom-right corner.
2. Placing the Poster in an Inaccessible Employee Area
Putting the poster in a back office, manager's area, or other location not frequented by all employees. The law (29 CFR 1903.2(a)) requires it be posted in a conspicuous place where all employees are likely to see it. The consequence is that an inspection will likely result in a citation and fine for non-compliance, as the poster fails to serve its intended purpose. How to avoid: Post it on the main employee bulletin board in the break room or near time clocks—areas where employees gather and can easily read it.
3. Not Posting in All Required Languages
Posting only the English version when you have a significant number of Spanish-speaking or other non-English-proficient employees. Oregon OSHA requires the poster be provided in a language employees understand if they are not fluent in English. The consequence is similar to not posting at all for those employees and can lead to a citation. How to avoid: Assess your workforce. If you have multiple non-English languages, download and display the corresponding versions from OSHA.gov alongside the English poster.
Skip the Paperwork on Your OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster
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OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law Poster by City in Oregon
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Eugene | ||
| Portland | ||
| Salem |
Timeline: Varies
Download the Current OSHA Poster
Go directly to the official U.S. Department of Labor OSHA website (osha.gov) and navigate to the 'Posters' section. Download the mandatory 2026 version of the 'Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law' poster in English and any other required languages if you have non-English speaking employees. The Oregon OSHA poster (Form 4412S) is a state-specific supplement required alongside the federal poster. Using outdated posters is a common citation risk during inspections.
Print Posters on Durable Material
Print the downloaded PDF files on durable material, such as cardstock or laminated paper, ensuring the text is clearly legible. The federal poster must be at least 8.5 x 11 inches, but 11 x 17 inches is recommended for better visibility. Oregon OSHA’s supplementary poster must also be displayed. Have a reliable printer ready and verify your prints are not cut off or faded, as damaged or illegible postings do not meet compliance standards.
Post in a Conspicuous Location
Display both the federal OSHA poster and the Oregon OSHA supplementary poster in a conspicuous area frequented by all employees, such as a common break room, kitchen, or near the time clock. The posting must be at eye level and unobstructed. Confirm the location is accessible to all shifts. Failure to post in a prominent location is one of the most common reasons for citations and can result in fines.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Oregon.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsObtaining the OSHA "Job Safety and Health - It's the Law" poster is immediate and involves no formal approval timeline. It is a required workplace display, not a permit, and you can download and print it directly from the federal OSHA website once you have your official employer identification. Unlike a Building Permit, which requires a formal review cycle, the key is simply to post it visibly in your workplace as soon as you hire your first employee, per OSHA regulations.
The OSHA poster itself has a government filing fee of $0, as it is a free publication provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. You are responsible only for your own printing and posting costs, such as purchasing a protective frame or laminator. Not legal advice — verify with the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Yes, the OSHA poster is not tied to a specific location or registered to your business address. When you move your restaurant to a new location within Salem, you simply take the posted copy with you or print a new one for the new site. This differs from a location-specific permit like a Alarm System Permit/Registration, which must be updated with the city when you move.
You do not renew the poster; you must ensure you have the current version posted. OSHA updates the poster when laws change, most recently in 2026. You are required to replace outdated versions with the current one, which you can verify on the OSHA website. Contact OSHA or subscribe to their updates to confirm you have the latest version.
During an OSHA inspection, which can occur in response to a complaint, incident, or as part of a programmed inspection, the compliance officer will check for the poster's presence in a conspicuous location where all employees can see it. Failure to display the current poster is a violation of OSHA's posting requirements (29 CFR 1903.2(a)) and can result in a citation and fine. The officer will also verify other required postings, like those related to workers' compensation.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Oregon specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Eugene, Portland, Salem), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 14 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)
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