Public Law 91-596
91st Congress. S. 2193
December 29, 1970

To assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act-, by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions-, by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970".

FEDERAL AGENCY SAFETY PROGRAMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SEC. 19.(a) It shall be the responsibility of the head of each Federal agency to establish and maintain an effective and comprehensive occupational safety and health program which is consistent with the standards promulgated under section 6. The head of each agency shall (after consultation with representatives of the employees thereof) -

(1)provide safe and healthful places and conditions of employment, consistent with the standards set under section 6;

(2)acquire, maintain, and require the use of safety equipment, personal protective equipment, and devices reasonably necessary to protect employees;

(3)keep adequate records of all occupational accidents and illnesses for proper evaluation and necessary corrective action;

(4)consult with the Secretary with regard to the adequacy as to form and content of records kept pursuant to subsection (a)(3) of this section; and

(5) make an annual report to the Secretary with respect to occupational 'dents and injuries and the agency's program under this section. Such report shall include any report submitted under section 7902(e) (2) of title 5, United States Code.

(b)The Secretary shall report to the President a summary or digest of reports submitted to him under subsection (a) (5) of this section, together with his evaluations of and recommendations derived from such reports. The President shall transmit annually to the Senate and the House of Representatives a report of the activities of Federal agencies under this section.

(c)Section 7902(c) (1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after "agencies" the following: "and of labor organizations representing employees".

(d)The Secretary shall have access to records and reports kept and filed by Federal agencies pursuant to subsections (a) (3) and (5) of this section unless thoserecordsand reports are specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of the national defense or foreign policy, in which case the Secretary shall have access to such information as will not jeopardize national defense or foreign policy.