H.R. 3036: Protecting America’s Workers Act

The "Protecting America’s Workers Act" is designed to improve safety and health standards for workers across the United States by making several significant amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The key objectives and provisions of the bill include:

Expanded Coverage

The bill aims to broaden the range of workers who are protected under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This means that more employees in various sectors would receive the benefits of enhanced safety and health regulations.

Strengthened Whistleblower Protections

It enhances protections for whistleblowers—those who report unsafe working conditions or violations. By ensuring that these individuals cannot be retaliated against, the act encourages more workers to come forward about unsafe practices without fear of losing their jobs or facing other repercussions.

Increased Penalties for Violations

The bill proposes to increase the penalties for employers who violate safety and health standards. This aims to deter unsafe practices by imposing more significant financial consequences for non-compliance with regulations designed to protect worker safety.

Rights for Victims and Their Families

There will be new rights established for victims of workplace injuries or deaths and their representatives. These rights include:

• Notification of incidents and ongoing proceedings related to work-related injuries or fatalities.
• Participation in proceedings regarding the modification of citations for safety violations.
• The establishment of procedures by the Secretary of Labor and the Commission to ensure that the rights of victims and their families are respected and upheld.

Implementation and Oversight

The Secretary of Labor will have new responsibilities for setting procedures and ensuring compliance with these amended provisions. This includes overseeing the proper implementation of new rights and penalties as outlined in the legislation.

Overall Impact

The bill seeks to create a safer working environment for all employees by ensuring better enforcement of regulations, transparency for affected families, and stronger legal protections for those who advocate for safer workplaces.

Relevant Companies

None found.