Protecting America’s Workers Act

To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to expand coverage under the Act, to increase protections for whistleblowers, to increase penalties for high gravity violations, to adjust penalties for inflation, to provide rights for victims or their family members, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting America’s Workers Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Title I—Coverage of public employees, authorized employee representatives, voluntary emergency responders, and application of Act Sec. 101. Coverage of public employees. Sec. 102. Authorized employee representatives. Sec. 103. Application of Act. Title II—Increasing Whistleblower Protections Sec. 201. Enhanced protections from retaliation. Title III—Improving Reporting, Inspection, and Enforcement Part A—Duties and Standards Sec. 301. General duty of employers. Sec. 302. Occupational safety and health standards. Part B—Inspections, Investigations, and Recordkeeping Sec. 311. Posting of employee rights. Sec. 312. Employer reporting of work-related injuries, illness, deaths, and hospitalizations; prohibition on discouraging employee reporting. Sec. 313. No loss of employee pay for inspections. Sec. 314. Investigations of fatalities and significant incidents. Sec. 315. Recordkeeping. Part C—Citations Sec. 321. Period for issuance of a citation. Sec. 322. Prohibition on unclassified citations. Part D—Rights of Victims and Families Sec. 331. Rights of Victims and Families. Part E—Procedure for Enforcement Sec. 341. Right to contest citations and penalties. Sec. 342. Correction of serious, willful, or repeated violations pending contest and procedures for a stay. Sec. 343. Inaction by the Review Commission. Sec. 344. Conforming amendments. Part F—Penalties Sec. 351. Civil penalties. Sec. 352. Criminal penalties. Sec. 353. Prejudgment interest. Title IV—State Plans Sec. 401. Concurrent enforcement authority and review of State occupational safety and health plans. Sec. 402. Evaluation of repeated violations in State plans. Title V—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Sec. 501. Health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Sec. 502. Training and employee education. Title VI—Effective date Sec. 601. Effective date. I Coverage of public employees, authorized employee representatives, voluntary emergency responders, and application of Act 101. Coverage of public employees (a) In General Section 3(5) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 652(5) but does not include including the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State. (b) Construction Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the application of section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 667 102. Authorized employee representatives Section 3 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 652 (15) Authorized employee representative The term authorized employee representative (A) means any person or organization that for the purposes of this Act represents not less than one employee at an establishment, factory, plant, construction site, or other workplace, or other environment where work is performed by an employee for an employer; and (B) includes a representative authorized by employees, a representative of employees, or any other representative of an employee under this Act. . 103. Application of Act Section 4(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 653(b)(1) (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively; and (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) If a Federal agency has promulgated and is enforcing a standard or regulation affecting occupational safety or health of some or all of the employees within that agency’s regulatory jurisdiction, and the Secretary determines that such a standard or regulation as promulgated and the manner in which the standard or regulation is being enforced provides protection to those employees that is at least as effective as the protection provided to those employees by this Act and the Secretary’s enforcement of this Act, the Secretary may publish a certification notice in the Federal Register. The notice shall set forth that determination and the reasons for the determination and certify that the Secretary has ceded jurisdiction to that Federal agency with respect to the specified standard or regulation affecting occupational safety or health. In determining whether to cede jurisdiction to a Federal agency, the Secretary shall seek to avoid duplication of, and conflicts between, health and safety requirements. Such certification shall remain in effect unless and until rescinded by the Secretary. (2) The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures by which any person who may be adversely affected by a decision of the Secretary certifying that the Secretary has ceded jurisdiction to another Federal agency pursuant to paragraph (1) may petition the Secretary to rescind a certification notice under such paragraph. Upon receipt of such a petition, the Secretary shall investigate the matter involved and shall, not later than 90 days after the receipt of the petition, publish a decision with respect to the petition in the Federal Register. (3) Any person who may be adversely affected by— (A) a decision of the Secretary certifying that the Secretary has ceded jurisdiction to another Federal agency pursuant to paragraph (1); or (B) a decision of the Secretary denying a petition to rescind such a certification notice under paragraph (1), may, not later than 60 days after such decision is published in the Federal Register, file a petition challenging such decision with the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which such person resides or such person has a principal place of business, for judicial review of such decision. A copy of the petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Secretary. The Secretary’s decision shall be set aside if found to be arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law. (4) Nothing in this Act shall apply to working conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 ( 30 U.S.C. 801 et seq. . II Increasing Whistleblower Protections 201. Enhanced protections from retaliation (a) Employee actions Section 11(c)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 660(c)(1) (1) by striking discharge because such discharge or cause to be discharged, or in any manner discriminate against or cause to be discriminated against, any employee because— (A) such ; (2) by striking this Act or has this Act; (B) such employee has ; (3) by striking in any such proceeding or because of the exercise before Congress or in any Federal or State proceeding related to safety or health; (C) such employee has refused to violate any provision of this Act; or (D) of the exercise ; and (4) by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including the reporting of any injury, illness, or unsafe condition to the employer, agent of the employer, safety and health committee involved, or employee safety and health representative involved (b) Prohibition of retaliation Section 11(c) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 660(c) (2) Prohibition of retaliation (A) No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, or in any manner discriminate against, or cause to be discriminated against, an employee for refusing to perform the employee’s duties if the employee has a reasonable apprehension that performing such duties would result in serious injury to, or serious impairment of the health of, the employee or other employees. (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the circumstances causing the employee’s good-faith belief that performing such duties would pose a safety or health hazard shall be of such a nature that a reasonable person, under the circumstances confronting the employee, would conclude that there is such a hazard. In order to qualify for protection under this paragraph, the employee, when practicable, shall have communicated or attempted to communicate the safety or health concern to the employer and have not received from the employer a response reasonably calculated to allay such concern. . (c) Procedure Section 11(c) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 660(c) (3) Complaint Any employee who believes that the employee has been discharged, disciplined, or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of paragraph (1) or (2) may seek relief for such violation by filing a complaint with the Secretary under paragraph (5). (4) Statute of limitations (A) In general An employee may take the action permitted by paragraph (3) not later than 180 days after the later of— (i) the date on which an alleged violation of paragraph (1) or (2) occurs; or (ii) the date on which the employee knows or should reasonably have known that such alleged violation occurred. (B) Repeat violation Except in cases when the employee has been discharged, a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) shall be considered to have occurred on the last date an alleged repeat violation occurred. (5) Investigation (A) In general An employee may, within the time period required under paragraph (4)(A) (i) shall include— (I) interviewing the complainant; (II) providing the respondent an opportunity to— (aa) submit to the Secretary a written response to the complaint; and (bb) meet with the Secretary to present statements from witnesses or provide evidence; and (III) providing the complainant an opportunity to— (aa) receive any statements or evidence provided to the Secretary; (bb) meet with the Secretary; and (cc) rebut any statements or evidence; and (ii) may include issuing subpoenas for the purposes of such investigation. (B) Decision Not later than 90 days after the filing of the complaint, the Secretary shall— (i) determine whether reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred; and (ii) issue a decision granting or denying relief. (6) Preliminary order following investigation If, after completion of an investigation under paragraph (5)(A) paragraph (14) paragraph (5)(B) paragraph (7)(A)(i) (7) Hearing (A) Request for hearing (i) In general A de novo hearing on the record before an administrative law judge may be requested— (I) by the complainant or respondent within 30 days after receiving notification of a decision granting or denying relief issued under paragraph (5) paragraph (6) (II) by the complainant within 30 days after the date the complaint is dismissed without investigation by the Secretary under paragraph (5) (III) by the complainant within 120 days after the date of filing the complaint, if the Secretary has not issued a decision under paragraph (5) (ii) Reinstatement order The request for a hearing shall not operate to stay any preliminary reinstatement order issued under paragraph (6) (B) Procedures (i) In general A hearing requested under this paragraph shall be conducted expeditiously and in accordance with rules established by the Secretary for hearings conducted by administrative law judges. (ii) Subpoenas; production of evidence In conducting any such hearing, the administrative law judge may issue subpoenas. The respondent or complainant may request the issuance of subpoenas that require the deposition of, or the attendance and testimony of, witnesses and the production of any evidence (including any books, papers, documents, or recordings) relating to the matter under consideration. (iii) Decision The administrative law judge shall issue a decision not later than 90 days after the date on which a hearing was requested under this paragraph and promptly notify, in writing, the parties and the Secretary of such decision, including the findings of fact and conclusions of law. If the administrative law judge finds that a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred, the judge shall issue an order for relief under paragraph (14) (8) Administrative appeal (A) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of notification of a decision and order issued by an administrative law judge under paragraph (7) review board (B) Standard of Review In reviewing the decision and order of the administrative law judge, the review board shall affirm the decision and order if it is determined that the factual findings set forth therein are supported by substantial evidence and the decision and order are made in accordance with applicable law. (C) Decisions If the review board grants an administrative appeal, the review board shall issue a final decision and order affirming or reversing, in whole or in part, the decision under review by not later than 90 days after receipt of the administrative appeal. If it is determined that a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred, the review board shall issue a final decision and order providing relief authorized under paragraph (14). Such decision and order shall constitute final agency action with respect to the matter appealed. (9) Settlement in the Administrative Process (A) In general At any time before issuance of a final order, an investigation or proceeding under this subsection may be terminated on the basis of a settlement agreement entered into by the parties. (B) Public policy considerations Neither the Secretary, an administrative law judge, nor the review board conducting a hearing under this subsection shall accept a settlement that contains conditions conflicting with the rights protected under this Act or that are contrary to public policy, including a restriction on a complainant’s right to future employment with employers other than the specific employers named in a complaint. (10) Inaction by the review board or administrative law judge (A) In general The complainant may bring a de novo action described in subparagraph (B) (i) an administrative law judge has not issued a decision and order within the 90-day time period required under paragraph (7) (ii) the review board has not issued a decision and order within the 90-day time period required under paragraph (8) (B) De novo action Such de novo action may be brought at law or equity in the United States district court for the district where a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) allegedly occurred or where the complainant resided on the date of such alleged violation. The court shall have jurisdiction over such action without regard to the amount in controversy and to order appropriate relief under paragraph (14). Such action shall, at the request of either party to such action, be tried by the court with a jury. (11) Judicial review (A) Timely Appeal to the court of appeals Any party adversely affected or aggrieved by a final decision and order issued under this subsection may obtain review of such decision and order in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit where the violation, with respect to which such final decision and order was issued, allegedly occurred or where the complainant resided on the date of such alleged violation. To obtain such review, a party shall file a petition for review not later than 60 days after the final decision and order was issued. Such review shall conform to chapter 7 (B) Limitation on collateral attack An order and decision with respect to which review may be obtained under subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to judicial review in any criminal or other civil proceeding. (12) Enforcement of order If a respondent fails to comply with an order issued under this subsection, the Secretary or the complainant on whose behalf the order was issued may file a civil action for enforcement in the United States district court for the district in which the violation was found to occur to enforce such order. If both the Secretary and the complainant file such action, the action of the Secretary shall take precedence. The district court shall have jurisdiction to grant all appropriate relief described in paragraph (14). (13) Burdens of proof (A) Criteria for determination In making a determination or adjudicating a complaint pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary, administrative law judge, review board, or a court may determine that a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred only if the complainant demonstrates that any conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2) with respect to the complainant was a contributing factor in the adverse action alleged in the complaint. (B) Prohibition Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a decision or order that is favorable to the complainant shall not be issued in any administrative or judicial action pursuant to this subsection if the respondent demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent would have taken the same adverse action in the absence of such conduct. (14) Relief (A) Order for relief If the Secretary, administrative law judge, review board, or a court determines that a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred, the Secretary, administrative law judge, review board, or court, respectively, shall have jurisdiction to order all appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, compensatory and exemplary damages, including— (i) affirmative action to abate the violation; (ii) reinstatement without loss of position or seniority, and restoration of the terms, rights, conditions, and privileges associated with the complainant’s employment, including opportunities for promotions to positions with equivalent or better compensation for which the complainant is qualified; (iii) compensatory and consequential damages sufficient to make the complainant whole (including back pay, prejudgment interest, and other damages); and (iv) expungement of all warnings, reprimands, or derogatory references that have been placed in paper or electronic records or databases of any type relating to the actions by the complainant that gave rise to the unfavorable personnel action, and, at the complainant’s direction, transmission of a copy of the decision on the complaint to any person whom the complainant reasonably believes may have received such unfavorable information. (B) Attorneys’ fees and costs If the Secretary or an administrative law judge, review board, or court grants an order for relief under subparagraph (A), the Secretary, administrative law judge, review board, or court, respectively, shall assess, at the request of the employee against the employer— (i) reasonable attorneys’ fees; and (ii) costs (including expert witness fees) reasonably incurred, as determined by the Secretary, administrative law judge, review board, or court, respectively, in connection with bringing the complaint upon which the order was issued. (15) Procedural Rights The rights and remedies provided for in this subsection may not be waived by any agreement, policy, form, or condition of employment, including by any pre-dispute arbitration agreement or collective bargaining agreement. (16) Savings Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any employee who exercises rights under any Federal or State law or common law, or under any collective bargaining agreement. (17) Election of venue (A) In general An employee of an employer who is located in a State that has a State plan approved under section 18 may file a complaint alleging a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) by such employer with— (i) the Secretary under paragraph (5) (ii) a State plan administrator in such State. (B) Referrals If— (i) the Secretary receives a complaint pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall not refer such complaint to a State plan administrator for resolution; or (ii) a State plan administrator receives a complaint pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii), the State plan administrator shall not refer such complaint to the Secretary for resolution. . (d) Relation to enforcement Section 17(j) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 666(j) , including the history of violations under section 11(c) III Improving Reporting, Inspection, and Enforcement A Duties and Standards 301. General duty of employers Section 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1) (1) in subsection (a), by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) shall furnish employment and a place of employment that are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm and that the employer creates or controls or to which the employer exposes any employee of the employer or any other person performing work at the place of employment; and ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) Each employee or other person exposed to a hazard in violation of subsection (a) may constitute a separate violation. . 302. Occupational safety and health standards Section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 655 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking Without regard (1) Without regard (B) by striking chapter 5 chapters 5 and 6 (C) by striking shall, as soon as practicable shall— (A) as soon as practicable ; (D) by striking In the (2) In the ; (E) by striking designated employees. designated employees; and (F) by adding after paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph (A)) the following: (B) not later than 2 years after the effective date of section 601(a) of the Protecting America’s Workers Act (i) the standard has been superseded by a standard promulgated pursuant to subsection (b); or (ii) the Secretary determines such update would not result in improved health or safety for specifically designated employees. ; and (G) in paragraph (2) (as designated by subparagraph (D)), by inserting including national consensus standards, or in the event of a consolidation of national consensus standards, conflict among any such standards, (2) by adding at the end the following: (h) No standard, rule, or regulation promulgated under this Act shall reduce the protection afforded by an existing health or safety standard, rule, regulation, or national consensus standard. . B Inspections, Investigations, and Recordkeeping 311. Posting of employee rights Section 8(c)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 657(c)(1) Such regulations shall include provisions requiring employers to post for employees information on the protections afforded under section 11(c). 312. Employer reporting of work-related injuries, illness, deaths, and hospitalizations; prohibition on discouraging employee reporting Section 8(c)(2) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 657(c)(2) Such regulations shall contain the following: (A) A requirement that employers promptly notify the Secretary of any work-related death or work-related injury or illness that results in the in-patient hospitalization of any employee for medical treatment, amputation, or loss of an eye. (B) A prohibition on the adoption or implementation by employers of policies or practices that have the effect of discouraging accurate recordkeeping and the reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses by any employee, or in any manner discriminates or provides for adverse action against any employee for reporting a work-related injury or illness. (C) A requirement that, at a minimum, employers subject to the requirements of sections 1904.41 and 1902.7(d) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as amended by the final regulations of the Department of Labor published in the Federal Register on May 12, 2016 (81 Fed. Reg. 29624 et seq.)) shall, on at least an annual basis, electronically report to the Secretary information from the records of work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses required to be made and maintained under this paragraph, which shall include the information required to be made and maintained in accordance with such sections 1904.41 and 1902.7(d), and a requirement that the Secretary make such reports available to the public in a searchable format. (D) A requirement that each site-controlling employer keep, maintain, and make available a site log for all recordable injuries and illnesses occurring for any employee at each work site for which the employer is the site-controlling employer, including employees of the site-controlling employer and others who are performing work at such site (including independent contractors). For purposes of this subparagraph, the term site-controlling employer . 313. No loss of employee pay for inspections Section 8(e) of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 657(e) Time spent by an employee participating in or aiding any such inspection shall be deemed to be hours worked and no employee shall suffer any loss of wages, benefits, or other terms and conditions of employment for having participated in or aided any such inspection. 314. Investigations of fatalities and significant incidents Section 8 of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 657 (i) Investigation of fatalities and serious incidents (1) In general The Secretary shall investigate any significant incident or an incident resulting in death that occurs in a place of employment. (2) Evidence preservation If a significant incident or an incident resulting in death occurs in a place of employment, the employer shall promptly notify the Secretary of the incident involved and shall take appropriate measures to prevent the destruction or alteration of any evidence that would assist in investigating the incident. The appropriate measures required by this paragraph do not prevent an employer from taking action on a worksite to prevent injury to employees or substantial damage to property or to avoid disruption of essential services necessary to public safety, provided that if an employer takes such action, the employer shall notify the Secretary of the action in a timely fashion. (3) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Incident resulting in death The term incident resulting in death (B) Significant incident The term significant incident . 315. Recordkeeping (a) Rule required Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration shall issue a final rule amending its recordkeeping regulations under section 8(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 657(c) (1) the duty to make and maintain accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing obligation; (2) the duty to make and maintain such records continues for as long as the employer is required to keep records of the recordable injury or illness; and (3) such duty does not expire solely because the employer fails to create the necessary records when first required to do so. (b) Authorization Subsection (a) shall be considered a specific authorization by Congress in accordance with section 801(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, with respect to the issuance of a new recordkeeping rule. C Citations 321. Period for issuance of a citation Section 9(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 658(c) For purposes of this subsection, a violation continues to occur for as long as an employer has not satisfied the requirements, rules, standards, orders, and regulations referenced in subsection (a). 322. Prohibition on unclassified citations Section 9 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 658 (d) No citation for a violation of this Act may be issued, modified, or settled under this section without a designation enumerated in section 17 with respect to such violation. . D Rights of Victims and Families 331. Rights of Victims and Families The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq. 29 U.S.C. 658 9A. Victims’ rights (a) Rights before the Secretary A victim or the representative of a victim, shall be afforded the right, with respect to an inspection or investigation conducted under section 8 to— (1) meet with the Secretary regarding the inspection or investigation conducted under such section before the Secretary’s decision to issue a citation or take no action; (2) receive, at no cost, a copy of any citation or report, issued as a result of such inspection or investigation, at the same time as the employer receives such citation or report; (3) be informed of any notice of contest or addition of parties to the proceedings filed under section 10(c); and (4) be provided notification of the date and time or any proceedings, service of pleadings, and other relevant documents, and an explanation of the rights of the employer, employee and employee representative, and victim to participate in proceedings conducted under section 10(c). (b) Rights before the Commission Upon request, a victim or representative of a victim shall be afforded the right with respect to a work-related bodily injury or death to— (1) be notified of the time and date of any proceeding before the Commission; (2) receive pleadings and any decisions relating to the proceedings; and (3) be provided an opportunity to appear and make a statement in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Commission. (c) Modification of Citation Before entering into an agreement to withdraw or modify a citation issued as a result of an inspection or investigation of an incident under section 8, the Secretary shall notify a victim or representative of a victim and provide the victim or representative of a victim with an opportunity to appear and make a statement before the parties conducting settlement negotiations. In lieu of an appearance, the victim or representative of the victim may elect to submit a letter to the Secretary and the parties. (d) Secretary Procedures The Secretary shall establish procedures— (1) to inform victims of their rights under this section; and (2) for the informal review of any claim of a denial of such a right. (e) Commission procedures and considerations The Commission shall— (1) establish procedures relating to the rights of victims to be heard in proceedings before the Commission; and (2) in rendering any decision, provide due consideration to any statement or information provided by any victim before the Commission. (f) Family liaisons The Secretary shall designate at least 1 employee at each area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to serve as a family liaison to— (1) keep victims informed of the status of investigations, enforcement actions, and settlement negotiations; and (2) assist victims in asserting their rights under this section. (g) Definition In this section, the term victim (1) an employee, including a former employee, who has sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an inspection or investigation conducted under section 8; or (2) a family member (as further defined by the Secretary) of a victim described in paragraph (1), if— (A) the victim dies as a result of an incident that is the subject of an inspection or investigation conducted under section 8; or (B) the victim sustains a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an inspection or investigation conducted under section 8, and the victim because of incapacity cannot reasonably exercise the rights under this section. . E Procedure for Enforcement 341. Right to contest citations and penalties Section 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 659(c) (1) in the first sentence— (A) by inserting after that he intends to contest a citation issued under section (9) (or a modification of a citation issued under this section) (B) by inserting after the issuance of a citation under section 9 (including a modification of a citation issued under such section) (C) by inserting after files a notice with the Secretary alleging that the citation fails properly to designate the violation as serious, willful, or repeated, that the proposed penalty is not adequate, or (2) by inserting after the first sentence, the following: The pendency of a contest before the Commission shall not bar the Secretary from inspecting a place of employment or from issuing a citation under section 9. (3) by amending the last sentence— (A) by inserting employers and Commission shall provide (B) by inserting before the period at the end , and notification of any modification of a citation 342. Correction of serious, willful, or repeated violations pending contest and procedures for a stay Section 10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 659 (d) Correction of serious, willful, or repeated violations pending contest and procedures for a stay (1) Period permitted for correction of serious, willful, or repeated violations For each violation which the Secretary designates as serious, willful, or repeated, the period permitted for the correction of the violation shall begin to run upon receipt of the citation. (2) Filing of a motion of contest The filing of a notice of contest by an employer— (A) shall not operate as a stay of the period for correction of a violation designated as serious, willful, or repeated; and (B) may operate as a stay of the period for correction of a violation not designated by the Secretary as serious, willful, or repeated. (3) Criteria and rules of procedure for stays (A) Motion for a stay An employer that receives a citation alleging a violation designated as serious, willful, or repeated and that files a notice of contest to the citation asserting that the time set for abatement of the alleged violation is unreasonable or challenging the existence of the alleged violation may file with the Commission a motion to stay the period for the abatement of the violation. (B) Criteria In determining whether a stay should be issued on the basis of a motion filed under subparagraph (A), the Commission may grant a stay only if the employer has demonstrated— (i) a substantial likelihood of success on the areas contested under subparagraph (A); and (ii) that a stay will not adversely affect the health and safety of workers. (C) Rules of Procedure The Commission shall develop rules of procedure for conducting a hearing on a motion filed under subparagraph (A) on an expedited basis. At a minimum, such rules shall provide: (i) That a hearing before an administrative law judge shall occur not later than 15 days following the filing of the motion for a stay (unless extended at the request of the employer), and shall provide for a decision on the motion not later than 15 days following the hearing (unless extended at the request of the employer). (ii) That a decision of an administrative law judge on a motion for stay is rendered on a timely basis. (iii) That if a party is aggrieved by a decision issued by an administrative law judge regarding the stay, such party has the right to file an objection with the Commission not later than 5 days after receipt of the administrative law judge’s decision. Within 10 days after receipt of the objection, a Commissioner, if a quorum is seated pursuant to section 12(f), shall decide whether to grant review of the objection. If, within 10 days after receipt of the objection, no decision is made on whether to review the decision of the administrative law judge, the Commission declines to review such decision, or no quorum is seated, the decision of the administrative law judge shall become a final order of the Commission. If the Commission grants review of the objection, the Commission shall issue a decision regarding the stay not later than 30 days after receipt of the objection. If the Commission fails to issue such decision within 30 days, the decision of the administrative law judge shall become a final order of the Commission. (iv) For notification to employees or representatives of affected employees of requests for such hearings and shall provide affected employees or representatives of affected employees an opportunity to participate as parties to such hearings. . 343. Inaction by the Review Commission Section 10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 659 (e) Inaction by review commission (1) In general A decision or order issued by an administrative law judge of the Commission for which a petition for review has been filed in a timely manner, and for which 1 year after the Commission has accepted such petition and directed that such petition be reviewed by the Commission, the Commission has failed to issue a final decision or order because the Commission lacks a quorum— (A) shall be deemed a final decision or order of the Commission; and (B) may be appealed pursuant to section 11(a). (2) Exception Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to motions to stay filed under subsection (d)(3). . 344. Conforming amendments (a) Violations designated as serious, willful, or repeated The first sentence of section 10(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 659(b) , with the exception of violations designated as serious, willful, or repeated, (which period shall not begin to run (b) Judicial review The first sentence of section 11(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 660(a) (1) by inserting (or the failure of the Commission, including an administrative law judge, to make a timely decision on a petition for a stay or other review) an order (2) by striking subsection (c) subsection (c), (d), or (e) (3) by inserting (or in the case of a petition from a final Commission order regarding a stay under section 10(d), 15 days) sixty days (c) Failure To correct violations Section 17(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 666(d) (d) Any employer who fails to correct a violation designated by the Secretary as serious, willful, or repeated and for which a citation has been issued under section 9(a) within the period permitted for its correction (and a stay has not been issued by the Commission under section 10(d)) may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $7,000 for each day during which such failure or violation continues. Any employer who fails to correct any other violation for which a citation has been issued under section 9(a) of this title within the period permitted for its correction (which period shall not begin to run until the date of the final order of the Commission in the case of any review proceeding under section 10 initiated by the employer in good faith and not solely for delay of avoidance of penalties) may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $7,000 for each day during which such failure or violation continues. . F Penalties 351. Civil penalties (a) In General Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 666 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking $70,000 $700,000 (B) by striking $5,000 $50,000 (C) by adding at the end the following: In determining whether a violation is repeated, the Secretary or the Commission shall consider the employer’s history of violations under this Act and under State occupational safety and health plans established under section 18. (2) in subsection (b), by striking $7,000 $70,000 (3) in subsection (c), by striking $7,000 $15,625 (4) in subsection (d), as amended by section 344(c), by striking $7,000 $70,000 (5) by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) and subsections (j) through (l), as subsections (f) through (j) and subsections (l) through (n), respectively; and (6) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated) by striking $7,000 $15,625 (b) Inflation Adjustment Section 17 of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 666 (e) Amounts provided under this section for civil penalties shall be adjusted by the Secretary once each year, not later than January 15 of such year, to account for the percentage increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers during such period, consistent with the requirements of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 ( 28 U.S.C. 2461 . 352. Criminal penalties (a) In General Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 666 (1) by amending subsection (f) (as redesignated by section 351(a)(5)) to read as follows: (f) (1) Any employer who knowingly violates any standard, rule, or order promulgated under section 6 of this Act, or of any regulation prescribed under this Act, and that violation caused or significantly contributed to the death of any employee, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, except that if the conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this subsection or subsection (i), punishment shall be by a fine in accordance title 18, United States Code, or by imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or by both. (2) For the purpose of this subsection, the term employer ; (2) by amending subsection (g) (as redesignated by section 351(a)(5)) to read as follows: (g) Unless otherwise authorized by this Act, any person that knowingly gives, causes to give, or attempts to give or cause to give, advance notice of any inspection conducted under this Act with the intention of impeding, interfering with, or adversely affecting the results of such inspection, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both. ; (3) in subsection (h) (as redesignated by section 351(a)(5)), by striking fine of not more than $10,000, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, fine in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, (4) by inserting after subsection (j) (as redesignated by section 351(a)(5)) the following: (k) (1) Any employer who knowingly violates any standard, rule, or order promulgated under section 6, or any regulation prescribed under this Act, and that violation caused or significantly contributed to serious bodily harm to any employee but does not cause death to any employee, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or by both, except that if the conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this subsection or subsection (e), punishment shall be by a fine in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or by both. (2) For the purpose of this subsection, the term employer (3) For purposes of this subsection, the term serious bodily harm (A) a substantial risk of death; (B) protracted unconsciousness; (C) protracted and obvious physical disfigurement; or (D) protracted loss or impairment, either temporary or permanent, of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty. . (b) Jurisdiction for Prosecution Under State and Local Criminal Laws Such section 17 ( 29 U.S.C. 666 (o) Nothing in this Act shall preclude a State or local law enforcement agency from conducting criminal prosecutions in accordance with the laws of such State or locality. . 353. Prejudgment interest Section 17(n) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 666(n) Pre-final order interest on such penalties shall begin to accrue on the date the party contests a citation issued under this Act, and shall end upon the issuance of the final order. Such pre-final order interest shall be calculated at the current underpayment rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 6621 IV State Plans 401. Concurrent enforcement authority and review of State occupational safety and health plans Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 668 (1) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows: (f) (1) The Secretary shall, on the basis of reports submitted by the State agency and the Secretary’s own inspections, make a continuing evaluation of the manner in which each State that has a plan approved under this section is carrying out such plan. Such evaluation shall include an assessment of whether the State continues to meet the requirements of subsection (c) of this section and any other criteria or indices of effectiveness specified by the Secretary in regulations. Whenever the Secretary finds, on the basis of such evaluation, that in the administration of the State plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any provision of the State plan (or any assurance contained therein), the Secretary shall make an initial determination of whether the failure is of such a nature that the plan should be withdrawn or whether the failure is of such a nature that the State should be given the opportunity to remedy the deficiencies, and provide notice of the Secretary’s findings and initial determination. (2) If the Secretary makes an initial determination to reassert and exercise concurrent enforcement authority while the State is given an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies, the Secretary shall afford the State an opportunity for a public hearing within 15 days of such request, provided that such request is made not later than 10 days after Secretary’s notice to the State. The Secretary shall review and consider the testimony, evidence, or written comments, and not later than 30 days following such hearing, make a determination to affirm, reverse, or modify the Secretary’s initial determination to reassert and exercise concurrent enforcement authority under sections 8, 9, 10, 13, and 17 with respect to standards promulgated under section 6 and obligations under section 5(a). Following such a determination by the Secretary, or in the event that the State does not request a hearing within the timeframe set forth in this paragraph, the Secretary may reassert and exercise such concurrent enforcement authority, while a final determination is pending under paragraph (3) or until the Secretary has determined that the State has remedied the deficiencies as provided under paragraph (4). Such determination shall be published in the Federal Register. The procedures set forth in section 18(g) shall not apply to a determination by the Secretary to reassert and exercise such concurrent enforcement authority. (3) If the Secretary makes an initial determination that the plan should be withdrawn, the Secretary shall provide due notice and the opportunity for a hearing. If based on the evaluation, comments, and evidence, the Secretary makes a final determination that there is a failure to comply substantially with any provision of the State plan (or any assurance contained therein), he shall notify the State agency of the withdrawal of approval of such plan and upon receipt of such notice such plan shall cease to be in effect, but the State may retain jurisdiction in any case commenced before the withdrawal of the plan in order to enforce standards under the plan whenever the issues involved do not relate to the reasons for the withdrawal of the plan. (4) If the Secretary makes a determination that the State should be provided the opportunity to remedy the deficiencies, the Secretary shall provide the State an opportunity to respond to the Secretary’s findings and the opportunity to remedy such deficiencies within a time period established by the Secretary, not to exceed 1 year. The Secretary may extend and revise the time period to remedy such deficiencies, if the State’s legislature is not in session during this 1-year time period, or if the State demonstrates that it is not feasible to correct the deficiencies in the time period set by the Secretary, and the State has a plan to correct the deficiencies within a reasonable time period. If the Secretary finds that the State agency has failed to remedy such deficiencies within the time period specified by the Secretary and that the State plan continues to fail to comply substantially with a provision of the State plan, the Secretary shall withdraw the State plan as provided for in paragraph (3). ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (i) Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, and again 5 years thereafter, the Comptroller General shall complete and issue a review of the effectiveness of State plans to develop and enforce safety and health standards to determine if they are at least as effective as the Federal program and to evaluate whether the Secretary’s oversight of State plans is effective. The Comptroller General’s evaluation shall assess— (1) the effectiveness of the Secretary’s oversight of State plans, including the indices of effectiveness used by the Secretary; (2) whether the Secretary’s investigations in response to Complaints About State Plan Administration (CASPA) are adequate, whether significant policy issues have been identified by headquarters and corrective actions are fully implemented by each State; (3) whether the formula for the distribution of funds described in section 23(g) to State programs is fair and adequate; and (4) whether State plans are as effective as the Federal program in preventing occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths, and investigating discrimination complaints, through an evaluation of at least 20 percent of approved State plans, and which shall cover— (A) enforcement effectiveness, including handling of fatalities, serious incidents and complaints, compliance with inspection procedures, hazard recognition, verification of abatement, violation classification, citation and penalty issuance, including appropriate use of willful and repeat citations, and employee involvement; (B) inspections, the number of programmed health and safety inspections at private and public sector establishments, and whether the State targets the highest hazard private sector work sites and facilities in that State; (C) budget and staffing, including whether the State is providing adequate budget resources to hire, train and retain sufficient numbers of qualified staff, including timely filling of vacancies; (D) administrative review, including the quality of decisions, consistency with Federal precedent, transparency of proceedings, decisions and records are available to the public, adequacy of State defense, and whether the State appropriately appeals adverse decisions; (E) anti-discrimination, including whether discrimination complaints are processed in a timely manner, whether supervisors and investigators are properly trained to investigate discrimination complaints, whether a case file review indicates merit cases are properly identified consistent with Federal policy and procedure, whether employees are notified of their rights, and whether there is an effective process for employees to appeal the dismissal of a complaint; (F) program administration, including whether the State’s standards and policies are at least as effective as the Federal program and are updated in a timely manner, and whether National Emphasis Programs that are applicable in such States are adopted and implemented in a manner that is at least as effective as the Federal program; (G) whether the State plan satisfies the requirements for approval set forth in this section and its implementing regulations; and (H) other such factors identified by the Comptroller General, or as requested by the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. . 402. Evaluation of repeated violations in State plans Section 18(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 668(c) (1) in paragraph (7), by striking , and (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting , and (3) by adding after paragraph (8) the following new paragraph: (9) provides that in determining whether a violation is repeated, the State shall consider the employer’s violations within the State, in conjunction with the employer’s history of violations under other States’ occupational safety and health plans approved by the Secretary and the employer’s history of violations in those States where the Secretary has jurisdiction under this Act, in a manner that is at least as effective as provided under section 17. . V National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 501. Health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Section 20(a)(6) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 669(a)(6) The Secretary shall determine following a written request by any employer, authorized representative of current or former employees, physician, other Federal agency, or State or local health department, specifying with reasonable particularity the grounds on which the request is made, whether any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in such concentrations as used or found or whether any physical agents, equipment, or working condition found or used has potentially hazardous effects; and shall submit such determination both to employers and affected employees as soon as possible. 502. Training and employee education Paragraph (1) of section 21(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 670(c) (1) provide for the establishment and supervision of programs for the education and training of employers and employees in the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions, and employee rights and employer responsibilities under this Act, which shall include grant programs to provide grants for nonprofit organizations (including grants to develop or expand the capacity of such organizations to provide safety and health training, education, and related assistance to the targeted audiences, grants for the training of employees and employers on occupational safety and health hazards of particular concern or for particular industries, or groups of workers at high risk of injury, illness, or exposure to hazards, and grants for the development of training materials on particular topics), and VI Effective date 601. Effective date (a) General Rule Except as provided for in subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Exception for States and political subdivisions The following are exceptions to the effective date described in subsection (a): (1) A State that has a State plan approved under section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 667 (2) This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 36 months after the date of the enactment of this Act with respect to a workplace of a State, or a political subdivision of a State, that does not have a State plan approved under such section 18 ( 29 U.S.C. 667

Summary: Protecting America's Workers Act This bill expands the coverage of requirements governing workplace safety and health to include protection for federal, state, and local government employees. However, the bill does not cover working conditions otherwise covered by federal requirements for mine safety and health. The bill revises requirements governing worker protection, including by expanding protections for whistle-blowers, such as protections for employees who refuse to perform work because they reasonably believe the work would result in serious injury or illness and for employees who aid inspections; directing employers to furnish a hazard-free place of employment to all individuals performing work, not just employees; directing employers to report work-related deaths or certain injuries, illnesses, or hospitalizations; requiring the Department of Labor to investigate fatalities or significant incidents in the workplace; establishing rights for victims, or representatives of victims, with respect to inspections or investigations of work-related bodily injuries or deaths; setting the permitted period for employers to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations while citations for the violations are being contested; increasing civil and criminal penalties for certain violations; expanding enforcement requirements relating to state occupational safety and health plans; expanding requirements for workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and requiring Labor to provide training programs concerning employee rights and employer responsibilities.