(a) This part implements the several employee protection provisions
for which the Secretary of Labor has been given responsibility pursuant
to the following Federal statutes: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.
300j-9(i); Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1367; Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2622; Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42
U.S.C. 6971; Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7622; Energy Reorganization Act
of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5851; and Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9610.
(b) Procedures are established by this part pursuant to the Federal
statutory provisions listed in paragraph (a) of this section, for the
expeditious handling of complaints by employees, or persons acting on
their behalf, of discriminatory action by employers.
(c) Throughout this part, ``Secretary'' or ``Secretary of Labor''
shall mean the Secretary of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor, or his or
her designee. ``Assistant Secretary'' shall mean the Assistant
Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor,
or his or her designee.
