Bill > SB346

This bill establishes comprehensive workplace health and safety standards for public employees in Pennsylvania, creating a framework to protect workers across state and local government agencies. The legislation, known as the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act, creates the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board, a five-member panel appointed by the Governor to hear appeals and ensure workplace safety standards are met. The bill requires public employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards, comply with safety standards, and maintain accurate records of workplace injuries and potential toxic exposures. The Secretary of Labor and Industry is granted broad powers to inspect workplaces, issue compliance orders, and assess penalties for violations, with penalties ranging from administrative fines to potential criminal charges for serious infractions like willful violations causing employee death. The bill also protects employees from discrimination if they report safety concerns, provides mechanisms for employees to request workplace inspections, and establishes a process for employers to seek temporary variances from safety standards under specific circumstances. Ultimately, the legislation aims to ensure that public employees in Pennsylvania have the same workplace safety protections as private sector workers, with a focus on preventing accidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=346