§669 Research and related activities

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to run or fund research, tests, and demonstrations about workplace safety and health. HHS must work with the Secretary and other federal agencies to plan this work. HHS must make and publish safety criteria at least once a year. Those criteria must include safe exposure levels for toxic materials and harmful physical agents for different lengths of work. HHS must study new problems from technology and the psychological and behavioral causes of workplace injuries. HHS can require employers to measure, record, and report workers’ exposures and can set up medical exams and tests to track work-related illnesses. People who object on religious grounds cannot be forced into medical exams, shots, or treatment unless needed to protect others. If an employer must do extra measuring, HHS must help pay or otherwise assist if the employer asks. Within six months of December 29, 1970, and at least once a year after that, HHS must publish a list of known toxic substances and the levels that cause harm. On written request from an employer or employee rep, HHS must decide whether a substance used at a workplace is potentially toxic and tell the employer and affected employees. If HHS finds a substance is potentially toxic and no safety standard covers it, HHS must send that finding and related criteria to the Secretary right away. Within two years of December 29, 1970, and every year after, HHS must study how long-term, low-level exposures affect aging workers. HHS can inspect and question people, make contracts with other agencies or groups, share the information it collects with employers and employees, and, when possible, delegate these duties to the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.