Authority: IC 22-1-1-2; IC 22-8-1.1-48.1

Affected: IC 22-8-1.1

Sec. 1. (a) The Act requires the following:

1. (1) Every employer covered under the Act furnish to its employees a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
2. (2) Every employer comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under the Act.
3. (3) Every employee comply with standards, rules, regulations, and orders issued under the Act that are applicable to their own actions and conduct.

(b) The Act authorizes the department to conduct safety inspections and to issue safety orders and proposed penalties for alleged violations. The Act contains provisions for the following:

1. (1) The adjudication of violations.
2. (2) The abatement of violations.
3. (3) The review of contested penalties by the board of safety review.
4. (4) Procedures for judicial review.

(c) The purpose of this article is:

1. (1) to prescribe rules and to set forth general policies for the conduct of safety inspections; and
2. (2) the issuance of safety orders and proposed penalties as required by the Act.

(d) Where this article sets forth general enforcement policies rather than specific processes, procedures, and rules, such general enforcement policies may be interpreted by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee for application to specific facts and circumstances consistent with the spirit and purpose of the Act.

(Department of Labor; 610 IAC 9-2-1; filed Nov 6, 2006, 8:47 a.m.: 20061206-IR-610060159FRA; readopted filed Nov 30, 2012, 11:14 a.m.: 20121226-IR-610120578RFA; readopted filed Nov 21, 2018, 12:10 p.m.: 20181219-IR-610180417RFA; readopted filed Dec 30, 2024, 12:04 p.m.: 20250122-IR-610230835RFA)