What does Preamble of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This bill aims to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 The amendment seeks to expand coverage under the Act It also aims to increase protections for whistleblowers and penalties for high gravity violations

What does COVERAGE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends Section 3(5) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The amendment strikes language excluding certain entities and inserts language including the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State. This Act does not affect the application of section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

What does AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVES. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends Section 3 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. It adds a definition for 'authorized employee representative'. An 'authorized employee representative' represents at least one employee at a workplace. This representation can be by an authorized, a representative of, or any other representative of an employee.

What does APPLICATION OF ACT. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends Section 4(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. It allows the Secretary to certify that a federal agency's standard or regulation provides equivalent or better protection to employees than the Occupational Safety and Health Act, enabling the Secretary to cede jurisdiction. The certification process requires publication in the Federal Register, stating the determination and reasons. The Secretary must avoid duplication and conflicts between health and safety requirements when ceding jurisdiction. Procedures are established for individuals adversely affected by a certification to petition for rescission, with a 90-day review period for the Secretary. Individuals can petition the United States Court of Appeals for judicial review of certification or denial of rescission petitions within 60 days. Judicial review can set aside the Secretary's decision if found arbitrary, capricious, or not in accordance with law. The provisions of this Act do not apply to working conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

What does ENHANCED PROTECTIONS FROM RETALIATION. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to enhance protections from retaliation for employees. It prohibits discharge, discrimination, or retaliation against employees who report injuries, illnesses, or unsafe conditions. Employees may file a complaint with the Secretary within 180 days of an alleged violation. The Secretary shall conduct an investigation and issue a decision within 90 days. Employees may request a de novo hearing before an administrative law judge.

What does GENERAL DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 Employers must provide a hazard-free workplace Each exposed employee may constitute a separate violation

What does OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends Section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. It modifies subsections (a) and (h) of Section 6. The amendments include changes to language regarding disregarding chapter 5, and adding chapters 5 and 6. The Secretary is required to update national consensus standards, but not if the standard has been superseded or an update would not improve health or safety. The amendments specify a deadline of two years after the effective date in section 601(a) of the Protecting America's Workers Act for updating national consensus standards. The amendments state that no standard, rule, or regulation promulgated under the Act shall reduce existing protections.

What does POSTING OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends Section 8(c)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The amendment requires regulations to include provisions mandating employers to post information for employees. The information to be posted relates to protections afforded under section 11(c).

What does EMPLOYER REPORTING OF WORK-RELATED INJURIES, ILLNESS, DEATHS, of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends 29 U.S.C. 657(c)(2) to require employers to promptly notify the Secretary of any work-related death or hospitalization resulting from an injury or illness. It prohibits employers from adopting policies that discourage accurate recordkeeping or reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses, or that discriminate against employees who report such incidents. Employers subject to specific regulations (29 CFR 1904.41 and 1902.7(d)) must annually electronically report work-related death, injury, and illness information to the Secretary. The Secretary must make these reports publicly available in a searchable format. Site-controlling employers must maintain a site log for all recordable injuries and illnesses at each work site, including those of independent contractors. The term 'site-controlling employer' is defined as the employer with primary control over a work site where multiple employers' employees work.

What does NO LOSS OF EMPLOYEE PAY FOR INSPECTIONS. of Protecting America’s Workers Act do?

This section amends Section 8(e) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 657(e)). The amendment adds language stating that time spent by an employee participating in or aiding an inspection is considered hours worked. The amendment prohibits employers from imposing any loss of wages, benefits, or other terms and conditions of employment on employees for participating in or aiding an inspection.

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Protecting America’s Workers Act

Last updated: 4/28/2026 · Introduced: 4/28/2026

Author: Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill expands coverage under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to include public employees, such as those working for the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State.
Employers are required to provide a hazard-free workplace and may face separate violations for each exposed employee.
The bill increases protections for whistleblowers and penalties for high gravity violations, including a maximum civil penalty of $700,000 for a single violation.
Employers must promptly notify the Secretary of any work-related death or hospitalization and maintain accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
The bill establishes programs for employer and employee education and training, including grant programs for nonprofit organizations to provide safety and health training.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 3036(In Committee)Official page

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