Section 215 of the Congressional Accountability
Act (CAA) requires that the Legislative Branch comply with the Occupational
Safety and Health Act and its standards requiring that the workplace
be free of recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or
serious injury. Both employing offices and employees must comply
with these workplace safety requirements.
The General Counsel of the Office of Compliance
is responsible for investigating suspected unsafe working conditions
and prosecuting violations of workplace safety standards. Investigations
of suspected unsafe working conditions may be requested by either
employing offices or covered Legislative Branch employees.
When an investigation reveals an unsafe working
condition, the General Counsel may issue a citation or notice to
the employing office that has employees exposed to the hazard and/or
to the office responsible for correcting the violation. The office
or offices responsible are required to take appropriate action to
correct conditions that are in violation of standards. If a hazardous
condition is not corrected once a citation is issued, the General
Counsel can file a complaint with the Office of Compliance and seek
an order mandating the correction of the violation.
At least once each Congress the General
Counsel is required to inspect Legislative Branch facilities and
report to
the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate
on compliance with workplace safety regulations.
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