1952.230—Description of the plan as initially approved.
(a)
The plan designates the Department of Labor as the agency responsible for administering the Plan throughout the State. It proposes to define the occupational safety and health issue covered by it as defined by the Secretary of Labor in § 1902.2(c)(1) of this chapter. All occupational safety and health standards promulgated by the United States Secretary of Labor have been adopted under the Plan as well as a certain standard deemed to be “as effective as” the Federal standard, except those found in parts 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918 of this chapter (ship repairing, ship building, ship breaking and longshoring). All Federal standards adopted by the State became effective on December 29, 1972.
(b)
Within the plan there is enabling legislation revising chapter 338 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes which became law on March 27, 1972; as well as legislation enacted and approved in a Special Session of the Legislature in 1972 amending the enabling legislation. The law as enacted and modified gives the Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the statutory authority to implement an occupational safety and health plan modeled after the Federal Act. There are provisions within it granting the Commissioner of Labor the authority to inspect workplaces and to issue citations for the abatement of violations and there is also included a prohibition against advance notice of such inspections. The law is also intended to insure employer and employee representatives an opportunity to accompany inspectors and to call attention to possible violations; notification of employees or their representatives when no compliance action is taken as a result of employee alleged violations; protection of employees against discrimination in terms and conditions of employment; and adequate safeguards to protect trade secrets. There is provision made for the prompt restraint of imminent danger situations and a system of penalties for violation of the statute. There are also provisions creating the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board and the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Review Board. The Law has further provision that the Department of Labor will enter into an agreement with the Public Service Commission (PSC) which shall serve as the State agency in the administration of all matters relating to occupational safety and health with respect to employees of public utilities.
(c)
The plan includes an opinion from the Attorney General that the Law is consistent with the Constitution of the State. There is also set forth in the Plan a Time Schedule for the Development of a Public Employee Program. The Plan also contains a comprehensive description of personnel employed under the State's merit system as well as its proposed budget and resources.
(1)
The plan description documents, including the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Act, and appendices in three (3) volumes;
(2)
Letter for James R. Yocum, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Labor, to Basil A. Needham, Jr., Regional Administrator, Atlanta, Georgia Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, June 14, 1973, submitting additions and clarifications to the plan.
(3)
Letter from James R. Yocum to the Assistant Secretary of Labor, John H. Stender, July 13, 1973, submitting assurances that the State will submit certain amendments to the 1974 Session of its Legislature.