Sen. Gary Forby

Filed: 5/13/2005

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 1267

2     AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 1267 by replacing
3 everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4     "Section 5. The Safety Inspection and Education Act is
5 amended by changing Section 0.2, changing and resectioning
6 Section 2, and adding Sections 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, and 2.9 as
7 follows:
 
8     (820 ILCS 220/.02)  (from Ch. 48, par. 59.02)
9     Sec. .02. Definitions. As used in this Act:
10     "Department" means the Department of Labor.
11     "Director" means the Director of Labor.
12     "Division" means the Division of Safety Inspection and
13 Education of the Department of Labor.
14 (Source: P.A. 87-245.)
 
15     (820 ILCS 220/2)  (from 820 ILCS 220/2, in part)
16     Sec. 2. Powers and duties; inspections.
17     (a) The Director of Labor shall enforce the occupational
18 safety and health standards and rules promulgated under the
19 Health and Safety Act and any occupational health and safety
20 laws relating to inspection of places of employment, and shall
21 visit and inspect, as often as practicable, the places of
22 employment covered by this Act.
23     (b) The Director of Labor or his or her authorized

 

 

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1 representatives upon presenting appropriate credentials to the
2 owner, operator or agent in charge is authorized to have the
3 right of entry and inspections of all places of all employment
4 in the State as follows:
5         (1) 1. To enter without delay and at reasonable times
6     any factory, plant, establishment, construction site, or
7     other area, workplace or environment where work is
8     performed by an employee of a public an employer in order
9     to enforce such occupational safety and health standards.
10         (2) If the public employer refuses entry upon being
11     presented proper credentials or allows entry but then
12     refuses to permit or hinders the inspection in some way,
13     the inspector shall leave the premises and immediately
14     report the refusal to authorized management. Authorized
15     management shall notify the Director of Labor to initiate
16     the compulsory legal process or obtain a warrant for entry,
17     or both.
18         (3) 2. To inspect and investigate during regular
19     working hours and at other reasonable times, and within
20     reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, any such
21     place of employment and all pertinent conditions,
22     structures, machines, apparatus, devices, equipment, and
23     materials therein, and to question privately any such
24     employer, owner, operator, agent or employee.
25         (4) 3. The owner, operator, manager or lessees of any
26     place affected by the provisions of this Act and his or her
27     agent, superintendent, subordinate or employee, and any
28     employer affected by such provisions shall when requested
29     by the Division of Safety Inspection and Education, or any
30     duly authorized agent thereof, furnish any information in
31     his or her possession or under his control which the
32     Department of Labor is authorized to require, and shall
33     answer truthfully all questions required to be put to him,
34     and shall cooperate in the making of a proper inspection.

 

 

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1         (5) A person who gives advance notice of an inspection
2     to be conducted under the authority of this Act without
3     authority from the Director of Labor, or his or her
4     authorized representative, commits a Class B misdemeanor.
5         (6) 4. Subject to regulations issued by the Director of
6     Labor, a representative of the employer and a
7     representative authorized by his or her employees shall be
8     given an opportunity to accompany the Director of Labor or
9     his or her authorized representative during the physical
10     inspection of any workplace under this Section for the
11     purpose of aiding such inspection. Where there is no
12     authorized employee representative the Director of Labor
13     or his or her authorized agent shall consult with a
14     reasonable number of employees concerning matters of
15     health and safety in the workplace.
16         (7)(A) Whenever and as soon as an inspector concludes
17     that an imminent danger exists in any place of employment,
18     the inspector shall inform the affected employees or their
19     authorized representatives and employers of the danger and
20     that the inspector is recommending to the Director of Labor
21     that relief be sought.
22         (B) Whenever the Director is of the opinion that
23     imminent danger exists in the working conditions of any
24     public employee in this State, which condition may
25     reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical
26     harm, the Director may file a complaint in the circuit
27     court for appropriate relief against an employer and
28     employee, including an order directing the employer or
29     employee to cease and desist from the practice creating the
30     imminent danger and to obtain immediate abatement of the
31     hazard.
32         (C) If the Director of Labor arbitrarily or
33     capriciously fails to seek relief under this Section, any
34     employee who may be injured by reason of such failure, or

 

 

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1     the representative of the employee, may bring an action
2     against the Director of Labor in the circuit court for the
3     circuit in which the imminent danger is alleged to exist or
4     the employer has his or her principal office, for relief by
5     mandamus to compel the Director of Labor to seek such an
6     order and for such further relief as may be appropriate.
7 (Source: P.A. 86-820; 87-245.)
 
8     (820 ILCS 220/2.1 new)  (from 820 ILCS 220/2, in part)
9     Sec. 2.1. Complaint inspection procedures.
10     (a) 5. Any employees or representatives of employees who
11 believe that a violation of a safety or health standard exists
12 or that an imminent danger exists, may request an inspection by
13 submitting a written complaint to the Director of Labor or his
14 or her authorized representative setting forth with reasonable
15 particularity the grounds for the complaint, and signed by the
16 employees or representative of employees.
17     (b) If the Director of Labor or the Director's authorized
18 representative determines there are no reasonable grounds to
19 believe that a violation or danger exists, he or she shall
20 notify the employees or representatives of the employees in
21 writing of such determination.
22     (c) If, upon receipt of such complaint, the Director of
23 Labor or his or her authorized representative determines there
24 are reasonable grounds to believe that such violation or danger
25 exists, he or she shall make a special inspection of the
26 workplace in accordance with the provisions of this Act as soon
27 as practicable, to determine if such violation or danger
28 exists.
29     (d) A copy of the complaint shall be provided the employer
30 or his or her agent by the Director of Labor or his or her
31 authorized representative at the time of inspection, except
32 that, upon the request of the person making such complaint, his
33 name and the name of individual employees referred to therein,

 

 

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1 shall not appear in such copy or on any record published,
2 released, or made available by the Director of Labor or his or
3 her authorized representative.
4     (e) Nonformal complaints shall be handled by an authorized
5 representative of the Director of Labor and, based upon the
6 severity and legitimacy of the complaint, the authorized
7 representative of the Director of Labor shall either schedule a
8 complaint inspection or issue a letter to the public employer
9 stating the concern. If upon receipt of such complaint, the
10 Director of Labor or his or her authorized representative
11 determines there are reasonable grounds to believe that such
12 violation or danger exists, he or she shall make a special
13 inspection of the workplace in accordance with the provisions
14 of this Act as soon as practicable, to determine if such
15 violation or danger exists. If the Director of Labor or his or
16 her authorized representative determines there are no
17 reasonable grounds to believe that a violation or danger
18 exists, he or she shall notify the employees or representatives
19 of the employees in writing of such determination.
20     (c) Any person who shall give advance notice of any
21 inspection to be conducted under the authority of this Act
22 without authority from the Director of Labor, or his or her
23 authorized representative, upon conviction, shall be guilty of
24 a Class B misdemeanor.
25 (Source: P.A. 86-820; 87-245.)
 
26     (820 ILCS 220/2.2 new)
27     Sec. 2.2. Discrimination prohibited.
28     (a) A person may not discharge or in any way discriminate
29 against any employee because the employee has filed a complaint
30 or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under
31 or related to this Act or the Health and Safety Act or has
32 testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding or
33 because of the exercise by the employee on behalf of himself or

 

 

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1 herself or others of any right afforded by this Act or the
2 Health and Safety Act.
3     (b) Any employee who believes that he or she has been
4 discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in
5 violation of this Section may, within 30 calendar days after
6 the violation occurs, file a complaint with the Director of
7 Labor alleging the discrimination. Upon request, the Director
8 of Labor shall withhold the name of the complainant from the
9 employer. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Director of Labor
10 shall cause such investigation to be made as the Director deems
11 appropriate. If, after the investigation, the Director of Labor
12 determines that the provisions of this Section have been
13 violated, the Director shall, within 120 days after receipt of
14 the complaint, bring an action in the circuit court for
15 appropriate relief, including rehiring or reinstatement of the
16 employee to his or her former position with back pay, after
17 taking into account any interim earnings of the employee.
18     (c) Within 90 days of the receipt of a complaint filed
19 under this Section, the Director of Labor shall notify the
20 complainant of the Director's determination under subsection
21 (b) of this Section.
 
22     (820 ILCS 220/2.3 new)  (from 820 ILCS 220/2, in part)
23     Sec. 2.3. Methods of compelling compliance.
24     (a) Citations. (d) 1.
25         (1) If, upon inspection or investigation, the Director
26     of Labor or his or her authorized representative believes
27     that an employer has violated a requirement of Section 3 of
28     the Health and Safety Act, or a standard, rule, regulation
29     or order promulgated pursuant to this Act or the Health and
30     Safety Act, he or she shall with reasonable promptness
31     issue a citation to the employer. Each citation shall be in
32     writing; describe with particularity the nature of the
33     violation and include a reference to the provision of the

 

 

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1     Act, standard, rule, regulation, or order alleged to have
2     been violated; and fix a reasonable time for the abatement
3     of the violation.
4         (2) The Director of Labor may prescribe procedures for
5     the issuance of a notice of de minimis violations which
6     have no direct or immediate relationship to safety or
7     health.
8         (3) Each citation issued under this Section, or a copy
9     or copies thereof, shall be prominently posted as
10     prescribed in regulations issued by the Director of Labor
11     at or near the place at which the violation occurred.
12         (4) 2. Citations shall be served on the employer,
13     owner, operator, manager, or agent by delivering an exact
14     copy to the person upon whom the service is to be had, or
15     by leaving a copy at his or her usual place of business or
16     abode, or by sending a copy thereof by registered mail to
17     his place of business.
18         3. Each citation issued under this Section, or a copy
19     or copies thereof, shall be prominently posted as
20     prescribed in regulations issued by the Director of Labor
21     at or near the place the violation occurred.
22         (5) 4. No citation may be issued under this Section
23     after the expiration of 6 months following the occurrence
24     of any violation.
25         (6) 5. If, after an inspection, the Director of Labor
26     issues a citation, he or she shall within 5 days after the
27     issuance of the citation, notify the employer by certified
28     mail of the penalty, if any, proposed to be assessed for
29     the violation set forth in the citation.
30         (7) 6. If the Director of Labor has reason to believe
31     that an employer has failed to correct a violation for
32     which a citation has been issued within the period
33     permitted for its correction, the Director of Labor shall
34     notify the employer by certified mail of such failure and

 

 

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1     of the monetary penalty proposed to be assessed by reason
2     of such failure.
3         (8) The public entity may submit in writing data
4     relating to the abatement of a hazard to be considered by
5     an authorized representative of the Director of Labor. The
6     authorized representative of the Director of Labor shall
7     notify the interested parties if such data will be used to
8     modify an abatement order.
9     (b) Proposed violations.
10         (1) Civil penalties. 7. Civil penalties under
11     subparagraphs (A) through (E) paragraphs A., B., C. and D.
12     may be assessed by the Director of Labor as part of the
13     citation procedure as follows:
14             (A) Any public employer who repeatedly violates
15         the requirements of the Health and Safety Act or any
16         standard, or rule, or order pursuant to that Act and
17         this Act may be assessed a civil penalty of not more
18         than $10,000.
19             A. Any employer who has received a citation for
20         violations of any standard, or rule, or order not of a
21         serious nature may be assessed a civil penalty of up to
22         $1,000 for each such violation.
23             (B) B. Any employer who has received a citation for
24         a serious violation of the requirements of Section 3 of
25         the Health and Safety Act or any standard, or rule, or
26         order pursuant to that Act and this Act shall be
27         assessed a civil penalty up to $1,000 for each such
28         violation.
29             For purposes of this Section, a serious violation
30         shall be deemed to exist in a place of employment if
31         there is a substantial probability that death or
32         serious physical harm could result from a condition
33         which exists, or from one or more practices, means,
34         methods, operations, or processes which have been

 

 

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1         adopted or are in use in such place of employment
2         unless the employer did not know and could not, with
3         the exercise of reasonable diligence, have known of the
4         presence of the violation as specifically determined.
5             (C) Any public employer who has received a citation
6         for violations of any standard, or rule, or order not
7         of a serious nature may be assessed a civil penalty of
8         up to $1,000 for each such violation.
9             (D) C. Any public employer who fails to correct a
10         violation for which a citation has been issued within
11         the period permitted may be assessed a civil penalty of
12         up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues.
13             (E) Any public employer who intentionally violates
14         the requirements of the Health and Safety Act or any
15         standard, or rule, or order pursuant to this Act or
16         demonstrates plain indifference to its requirements
17         shall be issued a willful violation and may be assessed
18         a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.
19         (2) Criminal penalty. Any public employer who
20     willfully violates any standard, rule, or order is guilty
21     of a Class 4 felony if that violation causes death to any
22     employee.
23         (3) Assessment and reduction of penalties. Any penalty
24     may be reduced by the Director of Labor or the Director's
25     authorized representative by as much as 95% depending upon
26     the public employer's "good faith", "size of business", and
27     "history of previous violations". Up to 60% reduction is
28     permitted for size, up to 25% reduction is permitted for
29     for good faith, and up to 10% reduction is permitted for
30     history.
31     D. Any employer who willfully or repeatedly violates the
32 requirements of Section 3 of the Health and Safety Act or any
33 standard, or rule, or order pursuant to that Act and this Act
34 may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.

 

 

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1     For purposes of this Section, a serious violation shall be
2 deemed to exist in a place of employment if there is a
3 substantial probability that death or serious physical harm
4 could result from a condition which exists, or from one or more
5 practices, means, methods, operations, or processes which have
6 been adopted or are in use in such place of employment unless
7 the employer did not know and could not, with the exercise of
8 reasonable diligence, have known of the presence of the
9 violation as specifically determined.
10 (Source: P.A. 86-820; 87-245.)
 
11     (820 ILCS 220/2.4 new)  (from 820 ILCS 220/2, in part)
12     Sec. 2.4. Contested cases.
13     (a) 8. An employer, firm or corporation, or an agent,
14 manager or superintendent or a person for himself or herself or
15 for other such person, firm or corporation, after receiving a
16 citation, a proposed assessment of penalty, or a notification
17 of failure to correct violation from the Director of Labor or
18 his or her authorized agent that he or she is in violation of
19 this Act, or of any occupational safety or health standard or
20 rule, may within 15 working days from receipt of the notice of
21 citation or penalty request in writing a hearing before the
22 Director for an appeal from the citation order, notice of
23 penalty, or abatement period.
24     (b) Any employee or representative of an employee may
25 within 15 working days of the issuance of a citation file a
26 request in writing for a hearing before the Director for an
27 appeal from the citation on the ground that the period of time
28 fixed in the citation for the abatement of the violation is
29 unreasonable.
30     (c)(1) The Director shall schedule a hearing within 15
31 calendar days after receipt of such request for an appeal from
32 the citation order and shall notify all interested parties of
33 such hearing. Such hearing shall be held no later than 45

 

 

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1 calendar days after the date of receipt of such appeal request.
2     (2) The Director shall afford a hearing to the employer or
3 his or her representatives, at which hearing the employer shall
4 state his or her objections to such citation and provide
5 evidence why such citation shall not stand as entered. The
6 Director of Labor or his or her representative shall be given
7 the opportunity to state his or her reasons for entering such
8 violation citation. Affected employees shall be provided an
9 opportunity to participate as parties to hearings under the
10 rules of procedure prescribed by the Director.
11     (3) The Director, in consideration of the evidence
12 presented at the formal hearing, shall in accordance with his
13 rules enter a final decision and order no later than 15
14 calendar days after such hearing affirming, modifying or
15 vacating the Director's citation or proposed penalty, or
16 directing other appropriate relief.
17     (4) An informal review may be conducted by an authorized
18 representative of the Director of Labor who is authorized to
19 change abatement dates, to reclassify violations (such as
20 willful to serious, serious to other-than-serious), and to
21 modify or withdraw a penalty, a citation, or a citation item if
22 the employer presents evidence during the informal conference
23 which convinces the authorized representative of the Director
24 of Labor that the changes are justified.
25     (5) Appeal.
26         (A) Any party adversely affected by a final violation
27     order or determination of the Director may obtain judicial
28     review by filing a complaint for review within 35 days
29     after the entry of the order or other final action
30     complained of, pursuant to the provisions of the
31     Administrative Review Law, all amendments and
32     modifications thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant
33     thereto.
34         (B) If no appeal is taken within 35 days the order of

 

 

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1     the Director shall become final.
2         (C) Judicial reviews filed under this Section shall be
3     heard expeditiously.
4     (6) The Director of Labor has the power:
5         (A) To issue subpoenas for and compel the attendance of
6     witnesses and the production of pertinent books, papers,
7     documents or other evidence.
8         (B) To hear testimony and receive evidence and to take
9     or cause to be taken, depositions of witnesses residing
10     within or without this State in the manner prescribed by
11     law for depositions in civil cases in the circuit court.
12     Subpoenas and commissions to take testimony shall be under
13     seal of the Director of Labor.
14     Service of subpoenas may be made by any sheriff or any
15 other person. The circuit court for the county where any
16 hearing is pending, upon application of the Director of Labor,
17 may, in the court's discretion, compel the attendance of
18 witnesses, the production of pertinent books, papers, records,
19 or documents and the giving of testimony before the Director of
20 Labor by an attachment proceeding, as for contempt, in the same
21 manner as the production of evidence may be compelled before
22 the court.
23     9. A. No person shall discharge or in any way discriminate
24 against any employee because such employee has filed a
25 complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any
26 proceeding under or related to this Act or the Health and
27 Safety Act or has testified or is about to testify in any such
28 proceeding or because of the exercise by such employee on
29 behalf of himself or herself or others of any right afforded by
30 this Act or the Health and Safety Act.
31     B. Any employee who believes that he or she has been
32 discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in
33 violation of this Section may, within 30 calendar days after
34 such violation occurs, file a complaint with the Director of

 

 

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1 Labor alleging such discrimination. Upon request, the Director
2 of Labor shall withhold the name of the complainant from the
3 employer. Upon receipt of such complaint, the Director of Labor
4 shall cause such investigation to be made as he or she deems
5 appropriate. If after such investigation, the Director of Labor
6 determines that the provisions of this Section have been
7 violated, he or she shall, within 120 days after receipt of the
8 complaint, bring an action in the circuit court for appropriate
9 relief, including rehiring, or reinstatement of the employee to
10 his or her former position with back pay, after taking into
11 account any interim earnings of the employee.
12     C. Within 90 days of the receipt of a complaint filed under
13 this Section the Director of Labor shall notify the complainant
14 of his or her determination under subparagraph 9B. of this
15 Section.
16     (e) Whenever the Director is of the opinion that imminent
17 danger exists in the working conditions of any employee in this
18 State, which condition can reasonably be expected to cause
19 death or serious physical harm, the Director may file a
20 complaint in the circuit court for appropriate relief against
21 an employer and employee, including an order directing the
22 employer or employee to cease and desist from the practice
23 creating the imminent danger.
24     Whenever and as soon as an inspector concludes that an
25 imminent danger exists in any place of employment, he or she
26 shall inform the affected employees or their authorized
27 representatives and employers of the danger and that he or she
28 is recommending to the Director of Labor that relief be sought.
29     If the Director of Labor arbitrarily or capriciously fails
30 to seek relief under this Section, any employee who may be
31 injured by reason of such failure, or the representative of
32 such employees, may bring an action against the Director of
33 Labor in the circuit court for the circuit in which the
34 imminent danger is alleged to exist or the employer has his or

 

 

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1 her principal office, for relief by mandamus to compel the
2 Director of Labor to seek such an order and for such further
3 relief as may be appropriate.
4 (Source: P.A. 86-820; 87-245.)
 
5     (820 ILCS 220/2.5 new)
6     Sec. 2.5. Employee access to information.
7     (a) The Director of Labor shall issue regulations requiring
8 employers to maintain accurate records of employee exposures to
9 potentially toxic materials or harmful physical agents which
10 are required to be monitored or measured under the Health and
11 Safety Act.
12         (1) The regulations shall provide employees or their
13     representatives with an opportunity to observe such
14     monitoring or measuring, and to have access to the records
15     thereof.
16         (2) The regulations shall also make appropriate
17     provisions for each employee or former employee to have
18     access to such records as will indicate his or her own
19     exposure to toxic materials or harmful physical agents.
20         (3) Each employer shall promptly notify any employee
21     who has been or is being exposed to toxic materials or
22     harmful physical agents in concentrations or at levels
23     which exceed those prescribed by an occupational safety and
24     health standard and shall inform any employee who is being
25     thus exposed of the corrective action being taken.
26     (b) The Director of Labor shall also issue regulations
27 requiring that employers, through posting of notices or other
28 appropriate means, keep their employees informed of their
29 protections and obligations under these Acts, including the
30 provisions of applicable standards.
 
31     (820 ILCS 220/2.6 new)
32     Sec. 2.6. Other prohibited actions and sanctions.

 

 

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1     (a) Advance notice. A person who gives advance notice of
2 any inspection to be conducted under the authority of this Act
3 without authority from the Director of Labor, or his or her
4 authorized representative, commits a Class B misdemeanor.
5     (b) False statements. A person who knowingly makes a false
6 statement, representation, or certification in any
7 application, record, report, plan, or other document required
8 pursuant to this Act commits a Class 4 felony.
9     (c) Violation of posting requirements. A public employer
10 who violates any of the required posting requirements is
11 subject to the following citations and proposed penalty
12 structure:
13         (1) Job Safety & Health Poster: an other-than-serious
14     citation with a proposed penalty of $1,000.
15         (2) Annual Summary of Injuries/Illnesses: an
16     other-than-serious citation and a proposed penalty of
17     $1,000 even if there are no recordable injuries or
18     illnesses.
19         (3) Citation: an other-than serious citation and a
20     proposed penalty of $1,000.
21     (d) All information reported to or otherwise obtained by
22 the Director of Labor or the Director's authorized
23 representative in connection with any inspection or proceeding
24 under this Act or the Health and Safety Act which contains or
25 might reveal a trade secret shall be considered confidential,
26 except that such information may be disclosed confidentially to
27 other officers or employees concerned with carrying out this
28 Act or the Health and Safety Act or when relevant to any
29 proceeding under this Act. In any such proceeding, the Director
30 of Labor or the court shall issue such orders as may be
31 appropriate, including the impoundment of files or portions of
32 files, to protect the confidentiality of trade secrets. A
33 person who violates the confidentiality of trade secrets
34 commits a Class B misdemeanor.
 

 

 

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1     (820 ILCS 220/2.7 new)
2     Sec. 2.7. Inspection scheduling system.
3     (a) In general, the priority of accomplishment and
4 assignment of staff resources for inspection categories shall
5 be as follows:
6         (1) Imminent Danger.
7         (2) Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations.
8         (3) Complaints/Referrals Investigation.
9         (4) Programmed Inspections - general, advisory,
10     monitoring and follow-up.
11     (b) The priority for assignment of staff resources for
12 hazard categories shall be the responsibility of an authorized
13 representative of the Director of Labor based upon the
14 inspection category, the type of hazard, the perceived severity
15 of hazard, and the availability of resources.
 
16     (820 ILCS 220/2.8 new)  (from 820 ILCS 220/2, in part)
17     Sec. 2.8. Voluntary compliance program.
18     (f) The Department through the employees of the Division
19 shall foster and promote safety practices.
20     (a) (g) The Department shall encourage employers and
21 organizations and groups of employees to institute and maintain
22 safety education programs for employees and promote the
23 observation of safety practices.
24     (b) The Department shall provide and conduct qualified and
25 quality educational programs specifically designed to meet the
26 regulatory requirements and the needs of the public employer.
27     (c) The educational programs and advisory inspections
28 shall be scheduled secondary to the unprogrammed inspections by
29 priority.
30     (d) Regular public information programs shall be conducted
31 to inform the public employers of changes to the regulations or
32 updates as necessary.

 

 

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1     (e) The Department shall provide support services for any
2 public employer who needs assistance with the public employer's
3 self-inspection programs. The Department may furnish safety
4 education material and literature and may advise and cooperate
5 with employers and organizations and groups of employees in the
6 conduct of safety education programs and in the observation of
7 safety practices. The Department shall through the Division
8 enforce the provisions of this Act, and any other law relating
9 to the inspection of places of employment in the State.
10 (Source: P.A. 86-820; 87-245.)
 
11     (820 ILCS 220/2.9 new)
12     Sec. 2.9. Laboratory services. The Department shall enlist
13 the services of certified laboratories to provide analysis and
14 interpretation of results via contractual services.
 
15     (820 ILCS 220/2.10 new)  (from 820 ILCS 220/2, in part)
16     Sec. 2.10. Adoption of rules; designation of personnel to
17 hear evidence in disputed matters.
18     (a) The Director of Labor shall adopt such rules and
19 regulations as he or she may deem necessary to implement the
20 provisions of this Act, including, but not limited to, rules
21 and regulations dealing with: (1) the inspection of an
22 employer's establishment and (2) the designation of proper
23 parties, pleadings, notice, discovery, the issuance of
24 subpoenas, transcripts, and oral argument.
25     All information reported to or otherwise obtained by the
26 Director of Labor or his or her authorized representative in
27 connection with any inspection or proceeding under this Act or
28 the Health and Safety Act, which contains or might reveal a
29 trade secret shall be considered confidential, except that such
30 information may be disclosed confidentially to other officers
31 or employees concerned with carrying out this Act or the Health
32 and Safety Act or when relevant to any proceeding under this

 

 

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1 Act. In any such proceeding, the Director of Labor or the court
2 shall issue such orders as may be appropriate, including the
3 impoundment of files, or portions of files, to protect the
4 confidentiality of trade secrets.
5     Any person who shall violate the confidentiality of trade
6 secrets shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
7     (b) The Director of Labor may designate personnel to hear
8 evidence in disputed matters.
9     (h) Any employer who willfully violates any standard, rule
10 or order, if that violation caused death to any employee, shall
11 be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
12     (i) Whoever knowingly makes a false statement,
13 representation, or certification in any application, record,
14 report, plan or other document required pursuant to this Act,
15 shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
16     (j) The Director of Labor shall also issue regulations
17 requiring that employers, through posting of notices or other
18 appropriate means, keep their employees informed of their
19 protections and obligations under these Acts, including the
20 provisions of applicable standards.
21     (k) The Director of Labor shall issue regulations requiring
22 employers to maintain accurate records of employee exposures to
23 potentially toxic material or harmful physical agents which are
24 required to be monitored or measured under the Health and
25 Safety Act. Such regulations shall provide employees or their
26 representatives with an opportunity to observe such monitoring
27 or measuring, and to have access to the records thereof. Such
28 regulations shall also make appropriate provisions for each
29 employee or former employee to have access to such records as
30 will indicate his or her own exposure to toxic materials or
31 harmful physical agents. Each employer shall promptly notify
32 any employee who has been or is being exposed to toxic
33 materials or harmful physical agents in concentrations or at
34 levels which exceed those prescribed by an Illinois

 

 

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1 occupational safety and health standard and shall inform any
2 employee who is being thus exposed of the corrective action
3 being taken.
4 (Source: P.A. 86-820; 87-245.)
 
5     Section 10. The Health and Safety Act is amended by
6 changing Section 2 and changing and resectioning Section 4 as
7 follows:
 
8     (820 ILCS 225/2)  (from Ch. 48, par. 137.2)
9     Sec. 2.
10     This Act shall apply to all public employers engaged in any
11 occupation, business or enterprise in this State, and their
12 employees, including the State of Illinois and its employees
13 and all political subdivisions and its employees, except that
14 nothing in this Act shall apply to working conditions of
15 employees with respect to which Federal agencies, and State
16 agencies acting under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of
17 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2021), exercise statutory authority
18 to prescribe or enforce standards or regulations affecting
19 occupational safety and health. Any regulations in excess of
20 applicable Federal standards shall, before being promulgated,
21 be the subject of hearings as required by this Act.
22 (Source: P.A. 78-867.)
 
23     (820 ILCS 225/4)  (from 820 ILCS 225/4, in part)
24     Sec. 4. Records and reports; work-related deaths,
25 injuries, and illnesses.
26     (a) The Director shall prescribe rules requiring employers
27 to maintain accurate records of, and to make reports on,
28 work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses, other than minor
29 injuries requiring only first aid treatment which do not
30 involve medical treatment, loss of consciousness, restriction
31 of work or motion, or transfer to another job. Such rules shall

 

 

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1 specifically include all of the reporting provisions of Section
2 6 of the Workers' Compensation Act and Section 6 of the
3 Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.
4     (b) Such records shall be available to any State agency
5 requiring such information.
6     (c) All reports filed hereunder shall be confidential and
7 any person having access to such records filed with the
8 Director as herein required, who shall release any information
9 therein contained including the names or otherwise identify any
10 persons sustaining injuries or disabilities, or give access to
11 such information to any unauthorized person, shall be subject
12 to discipline or discharge, and in addition shall be guilty of
13 a Class B misdemeanor.
14 (Source: P.A. 87-245.)
 
15     (820 ILCS 225/4.1 new)  (from 820 ILCS 225/4, in part)
16     Sec. 4.1. Adoption of federal safety and health standards
17 as rules.
18     (a) (d) All federal occupational safety and health
19 standards which the United States Secretary of Labor has
20 heretofore promulgated, modified or revoked in accordance with
21 the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, shall
22 be and are hereby made rules of the Director unless the
23 Director shall make, promulgate, and publish an alternate rule
24 at least as effective in providing safe and healthful
25 employment and places of employment as a federal standard.
26 Prior to the development and promulgation of alternate
27 standards or the modification or revocation of existing
28 standards, the Director must consider factual information
29 including:
30         (1) Expert technical knowledge.
31         (2) Input from interested persons including employers,
32     employees, recognized standards-producing organizations,
33     and the public.

 

 

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1     (b) All federal occupational safety and health standards
2 which the United States Secretary of Labor shall hereafter
3 promulgate, modify or revoke in accordance with the Federal
4 Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 shall become the
5 rules of the Department 6 months 60 days after their federal
6 effective date, unless there shall have been in effect in this
7 State at the time of the promulgation, modification or
8 revocation of such rule an alternate State rule at least as
9 effective in providing safe and healthful employment and places
10 of employment as a federal standard. However, such rule shall
11 not become effective until the following requirements have been
12 met:
13         (1) The Department shall within 45 days after the
14     federal effective date of such rule, publish in the
15     "Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Bulletin" the
16     provisions of such rule and in addition thereto shall file
17     with the office of the Secretary of State in Springfield,
18     Illinois, a certified copy of such rule as provided in "The
19     Illinois Administrative Procedure Act", approved August
20     22, 1975, as amended; or
21         (2) In the event of the Department's failure to publish
22     or file a certified copy with the Secretary of State, any
23     resident of the State of Illinois may upon 5 days written
24     notice to the Director publish such rule in one or more
25     newspapers of general circulation and file a certified copy
26     thereof with the office of the Secretary of State in
27     Springfield, Illinois, whereupon such rule shall become
28     effective provided that in no event shall such effective
29     date be less than 60 days after the federal effective date.
30     (c) The Director of Labor may promulgate emergency
31 temporary standards or rules to take effect immediately by
32 filing such rule or rules with the Illinois Secretary of State
33 providing that the Director of Labor shall first expressly
34 determine:

 

 

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1         (1) that the employees are exposed to grave danger from
2     exposure to substances or agents determined to be toxic or
3     physically harmful or from new hazards; and
4         (2) that such emergency standard is necessary to
5     protect employees from such danger.
6     The Director of Labor shall adopt emergency temporary
7 standards promulgated by the federal Occupational Safety and
8 Health Administration within 30 days of federal notice. Such
9 temporary emergency standards shall be effective until
10 superseded by a permanent standard but in no event for more
11 than 6 months from the date of its publication. The publication
12 of such temporary emergency standards shall be deemed to be a
13 petition to the Director of Labor for the promulgation of a
14 permanent standard and shall be deemed to be filed with the
15 Director of Labor on the date of its publication and the
16 proceeding for the permanent promulgation of the rule shall be
17 pursued in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
18     (d)(1) Any standard promulgated under this Act shall
19 prescribe the use of labels or other appropriate forms of
20 warning as are necessary to ensure that employees are apprised
21 of all hazards to which they are exposed, relevant symptoms and
22 appropriate emergency treatment, and proper conditions and
23 precautions of safe use or exposure.
24     (2) Where appropriate, such standard shall also prescribe
25 suitable protective equipment and control or technological
26 procedures to be used in connection with such hazards and shall
27 provide for monitoring or measuring employee exposure at such
28 locations and intervals, and in such manner as may be necessary
29 for the protection of employees.
30     (3) In addition, where appropriate, any such standard shall
31 prescribe the type and frequency of medical examinations or
32 other tests which shall be made available, by the employer or
33 at the employer's cost, to employees exposed to such hazards in
34 order to most effectively determine whether the health of such

 

 

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1 employees is adversely affected by such exposure. The results
2 of such examinations or tests shall be furnished by the
3 employer only to the Department of Labor, or at the direction
4 of the Department to authorized medical personnel and at the
5 request of the employee to the employee's physician.
6     (4) The Director of Labor, in promulgating standards
7 dealing with toxic materials or harmful physical agents under
8 this subsection, shall set the standard which most adequately
9 ensures, to the extent feasible, on the basis of the best
10 available evidence, that no employee will suffer material
11 impairment of health or functional capacity even if such
12 employee has regular exposure to the hazard dealt with by such
13 standard for the period of the employee's working life.
14     (5) Development of standards under this subsection shall be
15 based upon research, demonstrations, experiments, and such
16 other information as may be appropriate. In addition to the
17 attainment of the highest degree of health and safety
18 protection for the employee, other considerations shall be the
19 latest available scientific data in the field, the feasibility
20 of the standards, and experience gained under this and other
21 health and safety laws. Whenever practicable, the standard
22 promulgated shall be expressed in terms of objective criteria
23 and of the performance desired.
24 (Source: P.A. 87-245.)
 
25     (820 ILCS 225/4.2 new)  (from 820 ILCS 225/4, in part)
26     Sec. 4.2. Variances.
27     (a) The Director of Labor has the authority to grant either
28 temporary or permanent variances from any of the State
29 standards upon application by a public employer. Any variance
30 from a State health and safety standard may have only future
31 effect.
32     (b) (e) Any public employer may apply to the Director of
33 Labor for a temporary order granting a variance from a standard

 

 

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1 or any provision thereof promulgated under this Act.
2         (1) Such temporary order shall be granted only if the
3     employer files an application which meets the requirements
4     of paragraph (1) of this subsection (b) (e) and
5     establishes:
6             (A) that he is unable to comply with a standard by
7         its effective date because of unavailability of
8         professional or technical personnel or of materials
9         and equipment needed to come into compliance with the
10         standard or because necessary construction or
11         alteration of facilities cannot be completed by the
12         effective date;
13             (B) that he is taking all available steps to
14         safeguard his employees against the hazards covered by
15         the standard; and
16             (C) that he has an effective program for coming
17         into compliance with a standard as quickly as
18         practicable.
19         Any temporary order issued under this Section shall
20     prescribe the practices, means, methods, operations and
21     processes which the employer must adopt and use while the
22     order is in effect and state in detail his program for
23     coming into compliance with the standard.
24         (2) Such a temporary order may be granted only after
25     notice to employees and an opportunity for a hearing.
26     However, in cases involving only documentary evidence in
27     support of the application for a temporary variance and in
28     which no objection is made or hearing requested by the
29     employees or their representative, the Director of Labor
30     may issue a temporary variance in accordance with this Act.
31         (3) In the event the application is contested or a
32     hearing requested, the application shall be heard and
33     determined by the Director.
34         (4) No order for a temporary variance may be in effect

 

 

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1     for longer than the period needed by the employer to
2     achieve compliance with the standard or one year, whichever
3     is shorter, except that such an order may be renewed not
4     more than twice, so long as the requirements of this
5     paragraph are met and if an application for renewal is
6     filed at least 90 days prior to the expiration date of the
7     order. No interim renewal of an order may remain in effect
8     for longer than 180 days.
9         (5) (1) An application for a temporary order as herein
10     provided shall contain:
11             (A) a. a specification of the standard or portion
12         thereof from which the employer seeks a variance;
13             (B) b. a representation by the employer, supported
14         by representations from qualified persons having
15         first-hand knowledge of the facts represented, that he
16         is unable to comply with a standard or portion thereof
17         and a detailed statement of the reasons therefor;
18             (C) c. a statement of the steps he has taken and
19         will take (with specific dates) to protect employees
20         against a hazard covered by the standard;
21             (D) a statement of when d. the date by which he
22         expects to be able to comply with the standard and what
23         steps he has taken and will take (with dates specified)
24         to comply with the standard; and
25             (E) e. a certification that he has informed his
26         employees of the application by giving a copy thereof
27         to their authorized representatives, posting a
28         statement summarizing the application and specifying
29         where employees may examine a copy of such application.
30         A description of how employees have been informed shall
31     be contained in the certification. The information to
32     employees shall also inform them of their right to petition
33     the Director for a hearing.
34         (6) (2) The Director of Labor is authorized to grant a

 

 

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1     variance from any standard or portion thereof whenever the
2     Director of Labor determines that such variance is
3     necessary to permit an employer to participate in an
4     experiment approved by the Director of Labor designed to
5     demonstrate or validate new and improved techniques to
6     safeguard the health or safety of workers.
7     (c) (f) Any affected employer may apply to the Director of
8 Labor for a rule or order for a permanent variance other than a
9 temporary variance from a standard promulgated under this Act.
10 Affected employees shall be given notice of each such
11 application and an opportunity to participate in a hearing. The
12 Director of Labor shall issue such rule or order if he
13 determines on the record, after opportunity for an inspection
14 where appropriate and a hearing, that the proponent of the
15 variance has demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence
16 that the conditions, practices, means, methods, operations or
17 processes used or proposed to be used by an employer will
18 provide employment and places of employment to his employees
19 which are as safe and healthful as those which would prevail if
20 he complied with the standard. The rule or order so issued
21 shall prescribe the conditions the employer must maintain, and
22 the practices, means, methods, operations, and processes which
23 he must adopt and utilize to the extent they differ from the
24 standard in question. Such a rule or order may be modified or
25 revoked upon application by an employer, or employees, or by
26 the Director of Labor on his own motion, in the manner
27 prescribed for its issuance under this Section at any time
28 after 6 months from its issuance.
29     (g) The Director of Labor may promulgate emergency
30 temporary standards or rules to take effect immediately by
31 filing such rule or rules with the Illinois Secretary of State
32 and publishing them in the "Illinois Occupational Safety and
33 Health Bulletin" or if that is not available, in one or more
34 newspapers of general circulation providing that the Director

 

 

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1 of Labor shall first expressly determine (1) that the employees
2 are exposed to grave danger from exposure to substances or
3 agents determined to be toxic or physically harmful or from new
4 hazards, and (2) that such emergency standard is necessary to
5 protect employees from such danger.
6     Such temporary emergency standard shall be effective until
7 superseded by a permanent standard but in no event for more
8 than 6 months from the date of its publication.
9     The publication of such temporary emergency standard shall
10 be deemed to be a petition to the Director of Labor for the
11 promulgation of a permanent standard and shall be deemed to be
12 filed with the Director of Labor on the date of its publication
13 and the proceeding for the permanent promulgation of the rule
14 shall be pursued in accordance with the provisions of Section 7
15 of this Act.
16     (h) Any standard promulgated under this Act shall prescribe
17 the use of labels or other appropriate forms of warning as are
18 necessary to insure that employees are apprised of all hazards
19 to which they are exposed, relevant symptoms and appropriate
20 emergency treatment, and proper conditions and precautions of
21 safe use or exposure. Where appropriate, such standard shall
22 also prescribe suitable protective equipment and control or
23 technological procedures to be used in connection with such
24 hazards and shall provide for a monitoring or measuring
25 employee exposure at such locations and intervals, and in such
26 manner as may be necessary for the protection of employees. In
27 addition, where appropriate, any such standard shall prescribe
28 the type and frequency of medical examinations or other tests
29 which shall be made available, by the employer or at his cost,
30 to employees exposed to such hazards in order to most
31 effectively determine whether the health of such employees is
32 adversely affected by such exposure. The results of such
33 examinations or tests shall be furnished by the employer only
34 to the Department of Labor, or at the direction of the

 

 

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1 Department to authorized medical personnel and at the request
2 of the employee to his physician. The Director of Labor, in
3 promulgating standards dealing with toxic materials or harmful
4 physical agents under this subsection, shall set the standard
5 which most adequately assures, to the extent feasible, on the
6 basis of the best available evidence, that no employee will
7 suffer material impairment of health or functional capacity
8 even if such employee has regular exposure to the hazard dealt
9 with by such standard for the period of his working life.
10 Development of standards under this subsection shall be based
11 upon research, demonstrations, experiments, and such other
12 information as may be appropriate. In addition to the
13 attainment of the highest degree of health and safety
14 protection for the employee, other considerations shall be the
15 latest available scientific data in the field, the feasibility
16 of the standards, and experience gained under this and other
17 health and safety laws. Whenever practicable, the standard
18 promulgated shall be expressed in terms of objective criteria
19 and of the performance desired.
20 (Source: P.A. 87-245.)".