Bill > H1639

This bill aims to extend protections to employees of the Commonwealth. The key provisions are: 1) Requiring that regulations provide at least the level of protection to Commonwealth employees as are provided under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). In the absence of a state regulation, the department shall apply the applicable provisions of OSHA, which shall be enforceable in the district court. 2) Establishing an Occupational Health and Safety Hazard Advisory Board to evaluate injury and illness data, recommend safety and health measures, monitor program effectiveness, and determine where additional resources are needed to protect Commonwealth employees. The board will have representatives from various state agencies as well as labor unions and a community-based organization. 3) Authorizing the director, in consultation with the advisory board, to promulgate rules and regulations that establish standards to protect public employees when no federal standard exists or when state conditions require a different standard that is at least as effective as the federal one. 4) Repealing the fourth paragraph of section 6 of chapter 149, which previously exempted the Commonwealth from certain safety and health requirements.