SAFE Act

Summary

Safety Advancement for Employees Act of 1997 - SAFE Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to authorize employers to establish employer and employee safety and health participation committees. States that such committees shall not constitute labor organizations for purposes of the National Labor Relations Act or the Railway Labor Act. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a special advisory committee, with expertise in workplace safety and health, to advise on the establishment and implementation of a third party consultation services program. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a third party consultation services program that certifies individuals to provide consultation services to help employers identify and correct safety and health hazards in the workplace. Provides for: (1) a registry of certified consultants; (2) disciplinary actions against consultants for malfeasance; (3) scope and guidelines for such consultative services; and (4) access to records. Exempts any employer receiving a declaration of OSHA compliance from a certified consultant from assessment of certain civil penalties for two years after receipt of such declaration, except in specified circumstances. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary, before issuing a final OSHA standard, to submit for review the draft final standard and a copy of the administrative record to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Directs NAS to appoint an independent Scientific Review Committee to review the draft final standard and the scientific literature, and make written recommendations to the Secretary. (Sec. 7) Requires certain Federal personnel responsible for enforcing OSHA to: (1) meet specified eligibility requirements; and (2) receive professional education and training at least every five years if they carry out inspections or investigations. (Sec. 8) Revises inspection procedures. Prohibits the Secretary from establishing any quotas for subordinates within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with respect to number of inspections conducted, citations issued, or penalties collected. (Sec. 9) Establishes the use of alternative safe methods as an affirmative defense for employers. Establishes a civil penalty for employee violations of specified OSHA requirements. (Sec. 10) Reduces the types of violations of posting or paperwork requirements for which an employer may be assessed a civil penalty. (Sec. 11) Revises factors which the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is required to consider in assessing civil penalties. (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States for State consultation services to employers concerning the provision of safe and healthful working conditions. Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program in three States to provide small businesses, upon request, for a nominal fee, with expedited consultation services on safe and healthful working conditions. Requires the Secretary, before issuing a citation to an employer for a violation found during a consultation, to permit the employer to carry out corrective measures. (Sec. 13) Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) cooperative agreements to encourage the establishment of comprehensive safety and health management systems with specified features; and (2) a voluntary protection program with specified features to encourage the achievement of excellence in both the technical and managerial protection of employees from occupational hazards. (Sec. 14) Authorizes employers to establish alcohol and substance abuse testing programs in accordance with specified Federal guidelines. (Sec. 15) Sets forth consultation alternatives to issuance of citations.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 30 September 1997

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 30 September 1997

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10229-10230)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 30 September 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 22 October 1997

   Reported

   Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

5. 27 January 1998

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 300.

   Source: Calendars

6. 27 January 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Jeffords with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 105-159. Additional and minority views filed.

   Source: Committee

7. 27 January 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Jeffords with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 105-159. Additional and minority views filed.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 27 January 1998 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 30 September 1997 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 27 January 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 27 January 1998

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 27 January 1998

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 30 September 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 30 September 1997

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 30 September 1997

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Gregg, Judd [R-NH-2] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Jeffords, James M. [R-VT-At Large] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. DeWine, Mike [R-OH-7] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Hagel, Chuck [R-NE] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Warner, John [R-VA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Allard, Wayne [R-CO] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID-1] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Roberts, Pat [R-KS-1] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Sessions, Jeff [R-AL] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Thomas, Craig [R-WY-At Large] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Nickles, Don [R-OK] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Cochran, Thad [R-MS-4] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Lott, Trent [R-MS-5] · R · Cosponsor
• · sshr00 · Standing

Related records

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