Summary: Protecting America's Workers Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA-1970) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under specified conditions, to cede OSHA-1970 jurisdiction to another federal agency with respect to certain occupational standards or regulations for such agency's employees. Declares OSHA-1970 inapplicable to working conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Heath Act of 1977. Increases protections for whistle blowers under OSHA-1970. Prescribes requirements relating to: (1) the posting of employee rights, (2) employer reporting of employee work-related deaths or hospitalizations, (3) a prohibition against employers adopting or implementing policies or practices that discourage or discriminate against employee reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses, (4) a prohibition against the loss of wages or employee benefits due to an employee participating in a workplace inspection, (5) investigations of incidents resulting in death or the hospitalization of two or more employees which occur in a place of employment, and (6) a prohibition against the issuing, modifying, or settling of unclassified citations for occupational health and safety standard violations. Continues requirements relating to: (1) the rights of an employee (including a former employee or family member in lieu of an employee) who has sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an inspection or investigation; (2) an employer's right to contest citations and penalties; and (3) periods permitted for an employer to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations pending an employer's contest to a citation and procedures for stays of the time period for abatement of those violations. Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA-1970 violators. States that pre-final order interest on any penalties owed shall begin to accrue on the date a party contests a citation, at an interest rate calculated at the current underpayment rate. Prescribes requirements for the Secretary's evaluation of state occupational safety and health plans as well as workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Requires a state that has an approved plan for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards to amend its plan to conform to the requirements of this Act within 12 months after enactment of this Act.

protecting_america workers act amends occupational_safety_and_health_act expand coverage federal state local government employees authorizes secretary labor specified conditions cede jurisdiction federal agency respect certain occupational standards regulations agency employees declares inapplicable working conditions covered federal_mine_safety_and_heath_act increases protections whistle blowers prescribes requirements relating posting employee rights employer reporting employee work related deaths hospitalizations prohibition employers adopting implementing policies practices discourage discriminate employee reporting work related injuries illnesses prohibition loss wages employee benefits employee participating workplace inspection investigations incidents resulting death hospitalization employees occur place employment prohibition issuing modifying settling unclassified citations occupational health safety standard violations continues requirements relating rights employee including employee family member lieu employee sustained work related injury illness subject inspection investigation employer right contest citations penalties periods permitted employer correct willful repeated violations pending employer contest citation procedures stays time period abatement violations increases civil criminal penalties certain violators states pre final order interest penalties owed shall begin accrue date party contests citation interest rate calculated current underpayment rate prescribes requirements secretary evaluation state occupational safety health plans workplace health hazard evaluations national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh requires state approved plan development enforcement occupational safety health standards amend plan conform requirements act months enactment act


Summary: Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include within the meaning of the term member of the Special Exposure Cohort a Department of Energy (DOE) employee, DOE contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee who was so employed for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days before January 1, 2006, at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California. Provides that a claim that an individual qualifies for compensation or benefits under such Act shall be considered notwithstanding any denial of any other claim for compensation with respect to such individual.

amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include meaning term special exposure department_of_energy doe employee doe contractor employee atomic weapons employee employed number work days aggregating work days january santa field laboratory california provides claim individual qualifies compensation benefits act shall considered notwithstanding denial claim compensation respect individual


Summary: Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an interim final standard regulating occupational exposure to combustible dust hazards, which shall apply to manufacturing, processing, blending, conveying, repackaging, and handling of combustible particulate solids and their dusts (including organic dusts, plastics, sulfur, wood, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, fibers, dyes, coal, metals, and fossil fuels), but shall not apply to processes already covered by the occupational safety and health standard on grain facilities. Requires such standard to be based on portions of the National Fire Protection Association Standards in effect upon enactment of this Act that: (1) apply to existing facilities; or (2) call for source and dust emission control technologies. Requires such standard also to provide requirements for: (1) a hazard assessment to identify, evaluate, and control combustible dust hazards; (2) a written program that includes provisions for hazardous dust inspection, testing, hot work, ignition control, and housekeeping; (3) engineering controls, administrative controls, and operating procedures; (4) workplace inspection and housekeeping to prevent accumulation of combustible dust in places of employment in depths that can present explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards, including safe methods of dust removal; (5) participation of employees and their representatives in hazard assessment, development of and compliance with the written program, incident investigation, and other elements of hazard management; and (6) providing safety and health information and annual training to managers and employees and their representatives. Requires the interim final standard to take effect 30 days after its issuance, and remain in effect until a final standard becomes effective, except that it may include a reasonable phase-in period for implementation of required engineering controls. Requires the Secretary to issue: (1) a proposed rule for regulating combustible dust explosions that includes the major elements contained in the interim final standard, and (2) a final rule three years after issuance of a proposed rule.

fires act requires secretary labor promulgate interim final standard regulating occupational exposure combustible dust hazards shall apply manufacturing processing blending conveying handling combustible particulate solids including organic plastics sulfur wood rubber furniture textiles pesticides pharmaceuticals fibers dyes coal metals fossil fuels shall apply processes covered occupational safety health standard grain facilities requires standard based portions effect enactment act apply existing facilities source dust emission control technologies requires standard provide requirements hazard assessment identify evaluate control combustible dust hazards written program includes provisions hazardous dust inspection testing hot work ignition control engineering controls administrative controls operating procedures workplace inspection prevent accumulation combustible dust places employment depths present explosion fire hazards including safe methods dust removal participation employees representatives hazard assessment development compliance written program incident investigation elements hazard management providing safety health information annual training managers employees representatives requires interim final standard effect days issuance remain effect final standard effective include reasonable phase period implementation required engineering controls requires secretary issue proposed rule regulating combustible dust explosions includes major elements contained interim final standard final rule years issuance proposed rule


Summary: Ensuring Worker Safety Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act to revise requirements for the Secretary of Labor's continuing evaluation of approved state occupational safety and health plans. Requires: (1) the review of state plans to include an assessment of whether a state continues to meet certain conditions for the approval of such plans; and (2) the Secretary to determine whether a state that fails to comply substantially with the provisions of a plan should be given the opportunity to remedy such deficiencies. Prescribes general requirements for the provision to a state of such an opportunity. Requires the Comptroller General periodically to review and assess: (1) whether state plans to develop and enforce safety and health standards are at least as effective as federal occupational safety and health (OSHA) program standards in preventing occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths, and investigating discrimination complaints; (2) the effectiveness of the Secretary's oversight of such plans; and (3) the adequacy of the Secretary's investigations in response to Complaints About State Plan Administration (CASPA) as well as whether policy issues have been identified and corrective actions fully implemented by each state.

ensuring worker safety act amends occupational_safety_and_health_act revise requirements secretary labor continuing evaluation approved state occupational safety health plans requires review state plans include assessment state continues meet certain conditions approval plans secretary determine state fails comply substantially provisions plan given opportunity remedy deficiencies prescribes general requirements provision state opportunity requires comptroller general periodically review assess state plans develop enforce safety health standards effective federal occupational safety health osha program standards preventing occupational injuries illnesses deaths investigating discrimination complaints effectiveness secretary oversight plans adequacy secretary investigations response policy issues identified corrective actions fully implemented state


Summary: EEOICPA Amendment Act of 2011 - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to require the President to establish an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health. Requires the Board to advise the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Energy (DOE), and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the review and approval of the site exposure matrix (SEM) used to determine the eligibility of DOE contractor employee claims for compensation for illnesses resulting from exposure to toxic substances.

eeoicpa amendment act amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act require president establish requires board advise secretary labor secretary energy doe secretary health_and_human_services hhs review approval site exposure matrix sem determine eligibility doe contractor employee claims compensation illnesses resulting exposure toxic substances


Summary: Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2011 - Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 19 years after enactment of this Act. Prescribes additional periods of required presence in an affected area during atmospheric nuclear testing for individuals filing leukemia or specified disease claims. Increases the amount of compensation an individual filing a claim may receive to $150,000. Expands "affected area" to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico, as well as any county in Arizona, Nevada, or Utah. Extends to December 31, 1990, the period during which an individual employed at any time in a uranium mine or uranium mill is made eligible to receive compensation for a disease claim due to radiation exposure. Makes a core driller eligible to receive compensation upon filing of a disease claim. Makes miners, core drillers, and ore transporters who suffer renal cancer or any other chronic renal disease, including nephritis and kidney tubal tissue injury, eligible for compensation due to exposure to radiation while on the job. Requires the Attorney General to accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements regarding employment history, physical presence in an affected area, or participation at a nuclear testing site in determining the eligibility of claimants. Extends until 19 years after enactment of this Act the statute of limitations for the filing of such claims. Increases from 2% to 10% of the payment received by a claimant the maximum amount of attorneys fees that can be charged for the filing of an initial claim. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, to establish a program of grants to institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among non-occupationally exposed individuals, including family members of uranium miners and millers. Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include as a member of the Special Exposure Cohort entitled to compensation with respect to chronic beryllium disease under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program any Department of Energy (DOE) employee or contractor who contracted cancer after beginning employment between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1990, in a uranium mine or mill located in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, or any other state the Attorney General includes.

radiation exposure compensation act amendments amends radiation exposure compensation act extend radiation_exposure_compensation_trust_fund years enactment act prescribes additional periods required presence affected area atmospheric nuclear testing individuals filing leukemia specified disease claims increases compensation individual filing claim receive expands affected area include colorado idaho montana new_mexico county arizona nevada utah extends december period individual employed time uranium uranium mill eligible receive compensation disease claim radiation exposure makes core driller eligible receive compensation filing disease claim makes miners core drillers ore transporters suffer renal cancer chronic renal disease including nephritis kidney tubal tissue injury eligible compensation exposure radiation job requires attorney general accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements employment history physical presence affected area participation nuclear testing site determining eligibility claimants extends years enactment act statute limitations filing claims increases payment received claimant maximum attorneys fees charged filing initial claim directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish program grants institutions higher education study epidemiological impacts uranium mining milling non occupationally exposed individuals including family members uranium miners millers amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include member special_exposure_cohort entitled compensation respect chronic beryllium disease energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program department_of_energy doe employee contractor contracted cancer beginning employment january december uranium mill located colorado new_mexico arizona wyoming south_dakota washington utah idaho north_dakota oregon texas state attorney general includes


Summary: Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), in conducting health and safety related accident investigations in coal or other mines, to: (1) determine why an accident occurred and whether there were violations of law, mandatory health and safety standards, or other requirements; (2) in cases involving violations of federal criminal law, refer them to the Attorney General; and (3) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence. Requires an independent accident investigation by an independent panel appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for any accident: (1) involving three or more deaths, or (2) whose severity or scale merits an independent investigation. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary's representatives and attorneys to question any individual privately during an inspection or investigation; and (2) any individual willing to speak with or provide a statement to such representatives or attorneys to do so without the presence, involvement, or knowledge of the mine operator or mine operator's agents or attorneys. Allows the closest relative of a miner who is entrapped or otherwise prevented by an accident to designate a representative for the miner to participate in a mine inspection. Requires mine inspections to be conducted during various shifts and days of the week when miners are normally present. Directs the Secretary, upon the request of the mine operator, to review with appropriate mine officials the Secretary's most recent evaluation for pattern (of violation) status during the course of a regular mine inspection, or at the Secretary's discretion, during the pre-inspection conference. Prohibits an attorney from representing both a mine operator and miner during an inspection, investigation, or litigation, unless such miner knowingly waives all possible conflicts of interest. Prescribes requirements for mine operators having a pattern of recurring citations, withdrawal orders, accidents, or injuries. Requires the Secretary to assess and collect fees from mines in pattern status for the costs of additional inspections. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revoke the approval of mine operator plans or programs based on certain criteria; and (2) order withdrawal of all persons from a mine or mine area, and prohibit them from entering it, until the operator submits and the Secretary approves a new plan. Revises civil and criminal penalties and related administrative procedures. Revises certain miner protections against discrimination. Prohibits discriminating against a miner or other employee of a mine operator for refusing to perform duties out of a good-faith and reasonable belief that performing such duties would pose a safety or health hazard. Entitles a miner to full compensation by a mine operator at the regular rate of pay for the entire period (not to exceed 60 days) for which the miner is idled because of a Secretary's withdrawal order. (Under current law, miners are entitled to full compensation only for the time that they are idled, or for one week, whichever is the lesser, after all interested parties are given an opportunity for a public hearing and after such order is final.) Prohibits an underground coal mine operator whose mine has been in pattern status for three years from discharging (or constructively discharging) a miner paid on an hourly basis without reasonable job-related grounds based on certain failures to perform job duties satisfactorily if the miner has completed the employer's probationary period of up to six months. Allows a miner aggrieved by violation of this prohibition to file a complaint in federal district court for reinstatement and compensatory damages. Requires each underground coal mine operator to implement a communication program to ensure that each miner is orally briefed on and made aware of current mine conditions before traveling to or arriving at the mine work area and commencing assigned tasks. Prescribes additional requirements for the monitoring of coal dust in underground mines. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), acting through the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, to issue recommendations to the Secretary regarding the use of atmospheric monitoring systems in the underground coal mining industry. Revises mine operator health and safety training program requirements. Increases from 8 to 9 the minimum number of hours of refresher training all miners must receive at least once every 12 months, including 1 hour of training on miners statutory rights and responsibilities. Requires such training programs to include distribution of miners' rights as well as a toll-free hotline telephone number. Requires the Secretary to order a mine operator to provide additional training to miners if a serious or fatal accident has occurred at a mine or it has experienced above-average accident and injury rates, citations, or withdrawal orders. Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to require the Secretary to give special emphasis in the award of competitive grants for education and training (Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants) to programs and materials that provide underground mine accident rescue simulation training to workers in smaller mines. Requires the Secretary to issue mandatory standards to establish certification requirements and procedures for persons authorized by a mine operator to perform duties or provide training under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states to assist them in developing and implementing miner certification programs. Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to require a mine operator to deliver within 14 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 authorize the Director of NIOSH, acting through the Office of Mine Safety and Health, to enter into cooperative agreements with international institutions and private entities to improve mine safety and health through new interventions.

amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act require secretary labor secretary conducting health safety related accident investigations coal mines determine accident occurred violations law mandatory health safety standards requirements cases involving violations federal criminal law refer attorney general recommendations avoid recurrence requires independent accident investigation independent panel appointed secretary health_and_human_services hhs accident involving deaths severity scale merits independent investigation authorizes secretary representatives attorneys question individual privately inspection investigation individual willing speak provide statement representatives attorneys presence involvement knowledge operator operator agents attorneys allows closest relative miner entrapped prevented accident designate representative miner participate inspection requires inspections conducted shifts days week miners normally present directs secretary request operator review appropriate officials secretary recent evaluation pattern violation status course regular inspection secretary discretion pre inspection conference prohibits attorney representing operator miner inspection investigation litigation miner knowingly waives possible conflicts interest prescribes requirements operators having pattern recurring citations withdrawal orders accidents injuries requires secretary assess collect fees mines pattern status costs additional inspections requires secretary revoke approval operator plans programs based certain criteria order withdrawal persons area prohibit entering operator submits secretary approves new plan revises civil criminal penalties related administrative procedures revises certain miner protections discrimination prohibits discriminating miner employee operator refusing perform duties good faith reasonable belief performing duties pose safety health hazard entitles miner compensation operator regular rate pay entire period exceed days miner idled secretary withdrawal order current law miners entitled compensation time idled week whichever lesser interested parties given opportunity public hearing order final prohibits underground coal operator pattern status years discharging constructively discharging miner paid hourly basis reasonable job related grounds based certain failures perform job duties satisfactorily miner completed employer probationary period months allows miner aggrieved violation prohibition file complaint federal district court reinstatement compensatory damages requires underground coal operator implement communication program ensure miner orally briefed aware current conditions traveling arriving work area commencing assigned tasks prescribes additional requirements monitoring coal dust underground mines requires director national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh acting office_of_mine_safety_and_health_research issue recommendations secretary use atmospheric monitoring systems underground coal mining industry revises operator health safety training program requirements increases minimum number hours refresher training miners receive months including hour training miners statutory rights responsibilities requires training programs include distribution miners rights toll free hotline telephone number requires secretary order operator provide additional training miners fatal accident occurred experienced average accident injury rates citations withdrawal orders amends improvement new emergency response act require secretary special emphasis award competitive grants education training brookwood-sago_mine_safety_grants programs materials provide underground accident rescue simulation training workers smaller mines requires secretary issue mandatory standards establish certification requirements procedures persons authorized operator perform duties provide training act authorizes secretary grants states assist developing implementing miner certification programs amends black lung benefits act require operator deliver days complete copy examining physician report miner required submit medical examination amends occupational_safety_and_health_act authorize director niosh acting enter cooperative agreements international institutions private entities improve safety health new interventions


Summary: Congress Leads by Example Act of 2011 - Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to grant the General Counsel of the Office of Compliance (OOC) subpoena authority for inspections and investigations in the legislative branch under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA). Subjects each employing office in the legislative branch to OSHA recordkeeping requirements. Prohibits retaliation by any employing office against an employee for requesting the OOC General Counsel to take authorized action related to, or for instituting or testifying in, any proceeding that arises from the application of OSHA to that office. Applies the whistleblower rights, protections, and remedies of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to legislative branch employees, including those of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Library of Congress. Prohibits legislative branch employing offices from: (1) discharging any employee because the employee's earnings have been subjected to garnishment for any one indebtedness; or (2) denying or terminating the employment of, or otherwise discriminating against, an employee for being a debtor or a bankrupt under the bankruptcy code. Requires employing offices to retain records necessary to administer certain rights and protections of employees under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Requires each employing office to post conspicuously all notices describing the rights and protections applicable to its employees under federal law. Amends the federal judicial code to cover legislative branch employees under prohibitions and requirements protecting jurors' employment.

congress leads example act amends congressional accountability act grant general counsel office_of_compliance subpoena authority inspections investigations legislative branch occupational_safety_and_health_act osha subjects employing office legislative branch osha recordkeeping requirements prohibits retaliation employing office employee requesting general counsel authorized action related instituting proceeding arises application osha office applies whistleblower rights protections remedies legislative branch employees including government_accountability_office gao library_of_congress prohibits legislative branch employing offices discharging employee employee earnings subjected garnishment indebtedness denying terminating employment discriminating employee debtor bankruptcy code requires employing offices retain records necessary administer certain rights protections employees civil rights act age discrimination employment act americans disabilities act family medical leave act fair labor standards act requires employing office post conspicuously notices describing rights protections applicable employees federal law amends federal judicial code cover legislative branch employees prohibitions requirements protecting employment


Summary: Burdensome Paperwork Reduction for Our Miners Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Director of the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation and the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Labor, to review forms for obtaining workers' compensation benefits under the Federal Black Lung Benefits Program to determine whether it is feasible to combine or reduce such forms in order to further the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Directs the Secretary to implement any feasible combination or reduction of such forms.

burdensome paperwork reduction miners act directs secretary labor acting director chief information officer department_of_labor review forms obtaining workers compensation benefits federal black lung benefits program determine feasible combine reduce forms order purposes paperwork reduction act directs secretary implement feasible combination reduction forms


Summary: Private Sector Whistleblower Protection Streamlining Act of 2012 - Sets forth whistleblower protections for private sector, state, and municipal employees who are retaliated or discriminated against by an employer for disclosing threats to public safety or violations of federal law. Authorizes a whistleblower who has been discharged or discriminated against by an employer to seek appropriate relief either by: (1) filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor; or (2) bringing an action at law or equity in the appropriate U.S. district court. Prohibits restrictions on whistleblowing and relief provided under this Act. Establishes the Whistleblower Protection Office in the Department of Labor. Makes conforming whistleblower amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the federal criminal code with respect to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. Establishes in the Department of Labor an Administrative Review Board with jurisdiction and authority to decide appeals from administrative decisions and issue final agency decisions on behalf of the Secretary. Declares that this Board supersedes the one established by the Secretary pursuant to an administrative order.

private sector whistleblower protection streamlining act sets forth whistleblower protections private sector state municipal employees discriminated employer disclosing threats public safety violations federal law authorizes whistleblower discharged discriminated employer seek appropriate relief filing complaint secretary labor bringing action law equity appropriate district court prohibits restrictions relief provided act establishes department_of_labor makes conforming whistleblower amendments occupational_safety_and_health_act federal_mine_safety_and_health_act federal criminal code respect sarbanes-oxley_act energy reorganization act establishes department_of_labor jurisdiction authority decide appeals administrative decisions issue final agency decisions behalf secretary declares board supersedes established secretary pursuant administrative order


Summary: Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to increase from 5 to 10 the minimum number of years of practical mining experience a person selected by the Secretary of Labor for appointment as a mine inspector must have. Requires mine inspectors assigned to the inspection and investigation of individual mines to have at least 2 years previous experience in the particular type of mining operation where such inspections are to be made.

amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act increase minimum number years practical mining experience person selected secretary labor appointment inspector requires inspectors assigned inspection investigation individual mines years previous experience particular type mining operation inspections


Summary: Robert C. Byrd Mine and Workplace Safety and Health Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (this Act) to require the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), in conducting health and safety related accident investigations in coal or other mines, to: (1) determine why an accident occurred and whether there were violations of law, mandatory health and safety standards, or other requirements; (2) issue citations and penalties in case of violations, and in cases involving possible criminal actions, refer them to the Attorney General; and (3) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence. Requires an independent accident investigation by an independent panel appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for any accident: (1) involving three or more deaths; or (2) whose severity or scale merits an independent investigation. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary's representatives and attorneys to question any individual privately during an inspection or investigation; and (2) any individual willing to speak with or provide a statement to such representatives or attorneys to do so without the presence, involvement, or knowledge of the mine operator or mine operator's agents or attorneys. Allows the closest relative of a miner who is entrapped or otherwise prevented by an accident to designate a representative for the miner to participate in a mine inspection. Requires mine inspections to be conducted during various shifts and days of the week when miners are normally present. Requires the Secretary to establish a publicly available electronic database containing the safety records of each mine. Prohibits an attorney from representing both a mine operator and miner during an inspection, investigation, or litigation, unless such miner knowingly waives all possible conflicts of interest. Prescribes requirements for mine operators having a pattern of recurring citations, withdrawal orders, accidents, injuries, or illnesses. Establishes in the Treasury the Mines in Pattern Status Inspection Fund for deposit of fees collected from mines in pattern (of violation) status for the costs of additional inspections. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revoke the approval of mine operator plans or programs based on certain criteria; and (2) order withdrawal of all persons from a mine, and prohibit them from entering it, until the operator submits and the Secretary approves a new plan. Revises civil and criminal penalties and related administrative procedures. Revises certain miner protections against discrimination. Prohibits discriminating against a miner or other employee of a mine operator for refusing to perform duties out of a good-faith and reasonable belief that performing such duties would pose a safety or health hazard. Entitles a miner to full compensation by a mine operator at the regular rate of pay for the entire period for which the miner is idled because of a Secretary's withdrawal order. (Under current law, miners are entitled to full compensation only for the balance of their shift, and up to four hours of the next working shift if an order is not terminated beforehand.) Requires each underground coal mine operator to implement a communication program to ensure that each miner entering a mine is made aware, at the start of a shift, of current mine conditions. Prescribes additional requirements for the monitoring of coal dust in underground mines. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), acting through the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, to issue recommendations to the Secretary regarding the use of atmospheric monitoring systems in the underground coal mining industry. Revises mine operator health and safety training program requirements. Increases from 8 to 9 the minimum number of hours of refresher training all miners must receive at least once every 12 months, including 1 hour of training on miners statutory rights and responsibilities. Requires the Secretary to order a mine operator to provide additional training to miners if a serious or fatal accident has occurred at a mine or it has experienced above-average accident and injury rates, citations, or withdrawal orders. Requires the Secretary to issue mandatory standards to establish certification requirements and procedures for persons authorized by a mine operator to perform duties or provide training under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states to assist them in developing and implementing miner certification programs. Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to require a mine operator to deliver within 14 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the workforce needs of the mining industry and federal and state enforcement agencies, including the need for engineers and mine safety and health professionals. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to Congress, and post on the Mine Safety and Health Administration's website, a five-year strategic plan for program activities, as well as an annual performance plan. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to revise certain employee protections against discrimination. Prescribes an employee's victim rights before the Secretary or before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission with respect to: (1) inspections or investigations of employer violations of federal occupational safety and health standards; or (2) a work-related bodily injury or death. Prescribes administrative requirements for an employer's correction of a serious, willful, or repeated violation of federal occupational safety and health standards pending contest and procedures for a stay. Increases civil penalties for such violations. Subjects to certain increased criminal penalties an employer who knowingly violates a federal occupational safety and health standard, or regulation prescribed by such Act, that causes or contributes to the death of an employee. Adds penalties for a knowing violation that causes or contributes to serious bodily harm to any employee but does not cause any employee's death.

health act amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act act require secretary labor secretary conducting health safety related accident investigations coal mines determine accident occurred violations law mandatory health safety standards requirements issue citations penalties case violations cases involving possible criminal actions refer attorney general recommendations avoid recurrence requires independent accident investigation independent panel appointed secretary health_and_human_services hhs accident involving deaths severity scale merits independent investigation authorizes secretary representatives attorneys question individual privately inspection investigation individual willing speak provide statement representatives attorneys presence involvement knowledge operator operator agents attorneys allows closest relative miner entrapped prevented accident designate representative miner participate inspection requires inspections conducted shifts days week miners normally present requires secretary establish publicly available electronic database containing safety records prohibits attorney representing operator miner inspection investigation litigation miner knowingly waives possible conflicts interest prescribes requirements operators having pattern recurring citations withdrawal orders accidents injuries illnesses establishes treasury mines pattern status inspection fund deposit fees collected mines pattern violation status costs additional inspections requires secretary revoke approval operator plans programs based certain criteria order withdrawal persons prohibit entering operator submits secretary approves new plan revises civil criminal penalties related administrative procedures revises certain miner protections discrimination prohibits discriminating miner employee operator refusing perform duties good faith reasonable belief performing duties pose safety health hazard entitles miner compensation operator regular rate pay entire period miner idled secretary withdrawal order current law miners entitled compensation balance shift hours working shift order terminated requires underground coal operator implement communication program ensure miner entering aware start shift current conditions prescribes additional requirements monitoring coal dust underground mines requires director national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh acting office_of_mine_safety_and_health_research issue recommendations secretary use atmospheric monitoring systems underground coal mining industry revises operator health safety training program requirements increases minimum number hours refresher training miners receive months including hour training miners statutory rights responsibilities requires secretary order operator provide additional training miners fatal accident occurred experienced average accident injury rates citations withdrawal orders requires secretary issue mandatory standards establish certification requirements procedures persons authorized operator perform duties provide training act authorizes secretary grants states assist developing implementing miner certification programs amends black lung benefits act require operator deliver days complete copy examining physician report miner required submit medical examination requires comptroller general study report congress workforce needs mining industry federal state enforcement agencies including need engineers safety health professionals requires secretary acting assistant secretary labor submit director office_of_management_and_budget omb congress post safety_and_health_administration website year strategic plan program activities annual performance plan amends occupational_safety_and_health_act revise certain employee protections discrimination prescribes employee victim rights secretary occupational_safety_and_health_review_commission respect inspections investigations employer violations federal occupational safety health standards work related bodily injury death prescribes administrative requirements employer correction willful repeated violation federal occupational safety health standards pending contest procedures stay increases civil penalties violations subjects certain increased criminal penalties employer knowingly violates federal occupational safety health standard regulation prescribed act causes contributes death employee adds penalties knowing violation causes contributes bodily harm employee cause employee death


Summary: Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to require the President to establish an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health. Requires the Board to provide advice to the President on the review and approval of the Department of Labor site exposure matrix (SEM) used to determine the eligibility of Department of Energy (DOE) employee contractor claims for compensation for lung disease resulting from exposure to toxic substances.

amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act require president establish requires board provide advice president review approval department_of_labor site exposure matrix sem determine eligibility department_of_energy doe employee contractor claims compensation lung disease resulting exposure toxic substances


Summary: Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Amendments of 2011 - Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to declare that it is the intent of Congress that: (1) in a claim brought under such Act, the facts are not to be given a broad liberal construction in favor of the employee or of the employer; (2) the laws pertaining to the claim are to be construed in accordance with the basic principles of statutory construction and not liberally in favor of either the employee or employer; and (3) the system established under the Act shall be efficient and self-executing, but not an economic or administrative burden. Makes compensation under the Act payable regardless of fault as a cause of an injury (no-fault). Specifies requirements for proportional payment of compensation, the last employer doctrine, intervening employment, and noncontributing employment exposure. Prescribes criteria for the preemption of state law providing additional or alternative remedies for an injured employee, the employee's legal representative, spouse, next of kin, or anyone otherwise entitled to recover from an employer on account of an employee's injury or death. Revises requirements for physician selection. Allows a carrier to designate one or more participating networks or one or more health care panels, or both, to provide medical services to employees. Modifies the formula used to determine disability compensation, including for loss of hearing. Increases allowed funeral expenses. Revises requirements for: (1) determination of death compensation to survivors; (2) timing and recipients of a notice of such injury or death; (3) filing of claims; (4) date of payment of compensation; (5) assignment and exemption from the claims of creditors; (6) presumptions, burdens, and rules of evidence; (7) review of compensation orders; (8) modification of compensation awards for fraud or overpayment; (9) reports of fraud; and (10) payments into the special fund in the absence of an entitled survivor of an employee.

amends harbor workers compensation act declare intent congress claim brought act facts given broad liberal construction favor employee employer laws pertaining claim construed accordance basic principles statutory construction liberally favor employee employer system established act shall efficient self executing economic administrative burden makes compensation act payable regardless fault cause injury fault specifies requirements proportional payment compensation employer doctrine intervening employment employment exposure prescribes criteria preemption state law providing additional alternative remedies injured employee employee legal representative spouse kin entitled recover employer account employee injury death revises requirements physician selection allows carrier designate participating networks health care panels provide medical services employees modifies formula determine disability compensation including loss hearing increases allowed funeral expenses revises requirements determination death compensation survivors timing recipients notice injury death filing claims date payment compensation assignment exemption claims creditors presumptions burdens rules evidence review compensation orders modification compensation awards fraud overpayment reports fraud payments special fund absence entitled survivor employee


Summary: Robert C. Byrd Mine and Workplace Safety and Health Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (this Act) to require the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), in conducting health and safety related accident investigations in coal or other mines, to: (1) determine why an accident occurred and whether there were violations of law, mandatory health and safety standards, or other requirements; (2) issue citations and penalties in case of violations, and in cases involving possible criminal actions, refer them to the Attorney General; and (3) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence. Requires an independent accident investigation by an independent panel appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for any accident: (1) involving three or more deaths; or (2) whose severity or scale merits an independent investigation. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary's representatives and attorneys to question any individual privately during an inspection or investigation; and (2) any individual willing to speak with or provide a statement to such representatives or attorneys to do so without the presence, involvement, or knowledge of the mine operator or mine operator's agents or attorneys. Allows the closest relative of a miner who is entrapped, disabled, killed, or otherwise prevented by an accident to designate a representative for the miner to participate in a mine inspection. Requires mine inspections to be conducted during various shifts and days of the week when miners are normally present. Requires the Secretary, after determining that a mine operator has not properly maintained a record of all mine violations, to make, via an authorized representative, at least one spot inspection of the mine every 15 working days, and at irregular intervals, during the 3-month period following that determination. Requires the Secretary to establish a publicly available electronic database containing the safety records of each mine. Prohibits an attorney from representing both a mine operator and miner during an inspection, investigation, or litigation, unless such miner knowingly waives all possible conflicts of interest. Requires the Secretary's authorized representative, when such actions would improve mine conditions, to request a meeting with the appropriate state-level regulator to share the Secretary's concerns about a mine identified as having a significant or persistent safety or health problem. Authorizes the Secretary and the state-level regulator to develop a joint plan to correct identified problems. Prescribes requirements for mine operators having a pattern of recurring citations, withdrawal orders, accidents, injuries, or illnesses. Establishes in the Treasury the Mines in Pattern Status Inspection Fund for deposit of fees collected from mines in pattern (of violation) status for the costs of additional inspections. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revoke the approval of mine operator plans or programs based on certain criteria; and (2) order withdrawal of all persons from a mine, and prohibit them from entering it, until the operator submits and the Secretary approves a new plan. Revises civil and criminal penalties and related administrative procedures. Revises certain miner protections against discrimination. Prohibits discriminating against a miner or other employee of a mine operator for refusing to perform duties out of a good-faith and reasonable belief that performing such duties would pose a safety or health hazard. Entitles a miner to full compensation by a mine operator at the regular rate of pay for the entire period for which the miner is idled because of a Secretary's withdrawal order. (Under current law, miners are entitled to full compensation only for the balance of their shift, and up to four hours of the next working shift if an order is not terminated beforehand.) Requires each underground coal mine operator to implement a communication program to ensure that each miner entering a mine is made aware, at the start of a shift, of current mine conditions. Prescribes additional requirements for the monitoring of coal dust in underground mines. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), acting through the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, to issue recommendations to the Secretary regarding the use of atmospheric monitoring systems in the underground coal mining industry. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to require atmospheric monitoring and recording devices be incorporated in mining equipment to detect methane, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and coal dust levels in a mine. Revises mine operator health and safety training program requirements. Increases from 8 to 9 the minimum number of hours of refresher training all miners must receive at least once every 12 months, including 1 hour of training on miners statutory rights and responsibilities. Requires the Secretary to order a mine operator to provide additional training to miners if a serious or fatal accident has occurred at a mine or it has experienced above-average accident and injury rates, citations, or withdrawal orders. Prescribes additional requirements for each miner to receive quarterly training on the use of self-rescue devices. Requires the Secretary to issue mandatory standards to establish certification requirements and procedures for persons authorized by a mine operator to perform duties or provide training under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states to assist them in developing and implementing miner certification programs. Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to require a mine operator to deliver within 14 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the workforce needs of the mining industry and federal and state enforcement agencies, including the need for engineers and mine safety and health professionals. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to Congress, and post on the Mine Safety and Health Administration's website, a five-year strategic plan for program activities, as well as an annual performance plan. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to revise certain employee protections against discrimination. Prescribes an employee's victim rights before the Secretary or before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission with respect to: (1) inspections or investigations of employer violations of federal occupational safety and health standards; or (2) a work-related bodily injury or death. Prescribes administrative requirements for an employer's correction of a serious, willful, or repeated violation of federal occupational safety and health standards pending contest and procedures for a stay. Increases civil penalties for such violations. Subjects to certain increased criminal penalties an employer who knowingly violates a federal occupational safety and health standard, or regulation prescribed by such Act, that causes or contributes to the death of an employee. Adds penalties for a knowing violation that causes or contributes to serious bodily harm to any employee but does not cause any employee's death.

health act amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act act require secretary labor secretary conducting health safety related accident investigations coal mines determine accident occurred violations law mandatory health safety standards requirements issue citations penalties case violations cases involving possible criminal actions refer attorney general recommendations avoid recurrence requires independent accident investigation independent panel appointed secretary health_and_human_services hhs accident involving deaths severity scale merits independent investigation authorizes secretary representatives attorneys question individual privately inspection investigation individual willing speak provide statement representatives attorneys presence involvement knowledge operator operator agents attorneys allows closest relative miner entrapped disabled killed prevented accident designate representative miner participate inspection requires inspections conducted shifts days week miners normally present requires secretary determining operator properly maintained record violations authorized representative spot inspection working days irregular intervals month period following determination requires secretary establish publicly available electronic database containing safety records prohibits attorney representing operator miner inspection investigation litigation miner knowingly waives possible conflicts interest requires secretary authorized representative actions improve conditions request meeting appropriate state level regulator share secretary concerns identified having significant persistent safety health problem authorizes secretary state level regulator develop joint plan correct identified problems prescribes requirements operators having pattern recurring citations withdrawal orders accidents injuries illnesses establishes treasury mines pattern status inspection fund deposit fees collected mines pattern violation status costs additional inspections requires secretary revoke approval operator plans programs based certain criteria order withdrawal persons prohibit entering operator submits secretary approves new plan revises civil criminal penalties related administrative procedures revises certain miner protections discrimination prohibits discriminating miner employee operator refusing perform duties good faith reasonable belief performing duties pose safety health hazard entitles miner compensation operator regular rate pay entire period miner idled secretary withdrawal order current law miners entitled compensation balance shift hours working shift order terminated requires underground coal operator implement communication program ensure miner entering aware start shift current conditions prescribes additional requirements monitoring coal dust underground mines requires director national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh acting office_of_mine_safety_and_health_research issue recommendations secretary use atmospheric monitoring systems underground coal mining industry directs secretary issue regulations require atmospheric monitoring recording devices incorporated mining equipment detect methane oxygen carbon monoxide coal dust levels revises operator health safety training program requirements increases minimum number hours refresher training miners receive months including hour training miners statutory rights responsibilities requires secretary order operator provide additional training miners fatal accident occurred experienced average accident injury rates citations withdrawal orders prescribes additional requirements miner receive quarterly training use self rescue devices requires secretary issue mandatory standards establish certification requirements procedures persons authorized operator perform duties provide training act authorizes secretary grants states assist developing implementing miner certification programs amends black lung benefits act require operator deliver days complete copy examining physician report miner required submit medical examination requires comptroller general study report congress workforce needs mining industry federal state enforcement agencies including need engineers safety health professionals requires secretary acting assistant secretary labor submit director office_of_management_and_budget omb congress post safety_and_health_administration website year strategic plan program activities annual performance plan amends occupational_safety_and_health_act revise certain employee protections discrimination prescribes employee victim rights secretary occupational_safety_and_health_review_commission respect inspections investigations employer violations federal occupational safety health standards work related bodily injury death prescribes administrative requirements employer correction willful repeated violation federal occupational safety health standards pending contest procedures stay increases civil penalties violations subjects certain increased criminal penalties employer knowingly violates federal occupational safety health standard regulation prescribed act causes contributes death employee adds penalties knowing violation causes contributes bodily harm employee cause employee death


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Labor to revise certain regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 so as to require site-controlling employers to keep a site log for all recordable injuries and illnesses occurring among all employees on the particular site, whether such employees are employed directly by the site-controlling employer or are employed by contractors or temporary help or employee leasing services.

directs secretary labor revise certain regulations occupational_safety_and_health_act require site controlling employers site log recordable injuries illnesses occurring employees particular site employees employed directly site controlling employer employed contractors temporary help employee leasing services


Summary:
Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an interim final standard regulating occupational exposure to combustible dust hazards, which shall apply to manufacturing, processing, blending, conveying, repackaging, and handling of combustible particulate solids and their dusts (including organic dusts, plastics, sulfur, wood, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, fibers, dyes, coal, metals, and fossil fuels), but shall not apply to processes already covered by the occupational safety and health standard on grain facilities.

Requires such standard to be based on portions of the National Fire Protection Association Standards in effect upon enactment of this Act that: (1) apply to existing facilities, or (2) call for source and dust emission control technologies.

Requires such standard also to provide requirements for: (1) a hazard assessment to identify, evaluate, and control combustible dust hazards; (2) a written program that includes provisions for hazardous dust inspection, testing, hot work, ignition control, and housekeeping; (3) engineering controls, administrative controls, and operating procedures; (4) workplace inspection and housekeeping to prevent accumulation of combustible dust in places of employment in depths that can present explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards, including safe methods of dust removal; (5) participation of employees and their representatives in hazard assessment, development of and compliance with the written program, incident investigation, and other elements of hazard management; and (6) providing safety and health information and annual training to managers and employees and their representatives.

Requires the interim final standard to take effect 30 days after its issuance, and remain in effect until a final standard becomes effective, except that it may include a reasonable phase-in period for implementation of required engineering controls.

Requires the Secretary to issue: (1) a proposed rule for regulating combustible dust explosions that includes the major elements contained in the interim final standard, and (2) a final rule three years after issuance of a proposed rule.


Summary:
Coal Accountability and Retired Employee Act of 2013 or CARE Act - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to transfer specified excess funds derived from coal mine operator-paid reclamation fees to the trustees of the 1974 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Pension Plan for use solely to pay pension benefits required under such Plan.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise 1992 UMWA Benefit Plan eligibility requirements.

Makes eligible for health benefits from the 1992 UMWA Benefit Plan an individual who would be eligible to receive benefits from the 1974 UMWA Benefit Plan (with a specified exception) following a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of a coal mine operator, but who does not receive from that operator or any related person health benefits at least equal to those received under the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

Prescribes a special rule to state that employer contributions to an employees' trust or annuity benefit plan providing supplemental benefits solely to participants in a pension plan are neither deductible nor nondeductible as such from the employer's gross income. Subjects such contributions, on the other hand, to the requirements for deduction as an allowable trade or business expense.

Treats a trust holding the assets of such a pension benefit plan as a tax-exempt organization.

Excludes from wages any payments made to, or on behalf of, an employee or his or her beneficiary under such a plan.

coal accountability retired employee act care act amends surface mining control reclamation act transfer specified excess funds derived coal operator paid reclamation fees trustees united_mine_workers_of_america umwa pension plan use solely pay pension benefits required plan amends internal revenue code revise umwa benefit plan eligibility requirements makes eligible health benefits umwa benefit plan individual eligible receive benefits umwa benefit plan specified exception following bankruptcy insolvency proceeding coal operator receive operator related person health benefits equal received multiemployer_health_benefit_plan surface mining control reclamation act prescribes special rule state employer contributions employees trust annuity benefit plan providing supplemental benefits solely participants pension plan deductible nondeductible employer gross income subjects contributions hand requirements deduction allowable trade business expense treats trust holding assets pension benefit plan tax exempt organization excludes wages payments behalf employee beneficiary plan


Summary:
Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), in conducting health and safety related accident investigations in coal or other mines, to: (1) determine why an accident occurred and whether there were violations of law, mandatory health and safety standards, or other requirements; (2) in cases involving violations of federal criminal law, refer them to the Attorney General; and (3) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence.

Requires an independent accident investigation by an independent panel appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for any accident: (1) involving three or more deaths, or (2) whose severity or scale merits an independent investigation.

Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), at the request of a majority of the panel or upon his or her own initiative, to issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, and documents, and administer oaths with respect to an investigation.

Authorizes: (1) the Secretary's representatives and attorneys to question any individual privately during an inspection or investigation; and (2) any individual willing to speak with or provide a statement to such representatives or attorneys to do so without the presence, involvement, or knowledge of the mine operator or mine operator's agents or attorneys.

Allows the closest relative of a miner who is entrapped, disabled, killed, or otherwise prevented by an accident to designate a representative for the miner to participate in a mine inspection. Requires mine inspections to be conducted during various shifts and days of the week when miners are normally present.

Directs the Secretary, upon the request of the mine operator, to review with appropriate mine officials the Secretary's most recent evaluation for pattern of violations status during the course of a regular mine inspection, or at the Secretary's discretion, during the pre-inspection conference.

Prohibits an attorney from representing both a mine operator and miner during an inspection, investigation, or litigation, unless such miner knowingly waives all possible conflicts of interest.

Declares that title 30 CFR Part 104 of chapter I, as revised by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and published at 78 Federal Register 5073 (January 23, 2013), regarding procedures and criteria for determining a mine operator's pattern of violations, shall have the force and effect of law and be subject to an Act of Congress.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) revoke the approval of mine operator plans or programs based on certain criteria; and (2) order withdrawal of all persons from a mine or mine area, and prohibit them from entering it, until the operator submits and the Secretary approves a new plan.

Revises civil and criminal penalties and related administrative procedures.

Prescribes a civil penalty for: (1) any unapproved change to a coal mine ventilation system or ventilation control which is required by a ventilation plan, safety standard, or order; (2) a violation of a mandatory health and safety standard requiring rock dusting in a coal mine; (3) a violation of the statutory prohibition on providing advance notice of an inspection; or (4) a violation of a mandatory health and safety standard requiring examinations of work areas in an underground coal mine.

Revises certain miner protections against discrimination. Prohibits discriminating against a miner or other employee of a mine operator for refusing to perform duties out of a good-faith and reasonable belief that performing such duties would pose a safety or health hazard.

Entitles a miner to full compensation by a mine operator at the regular rate of pay for the entire period (not to exceed 60 days) for which the miner is idled because of a Secretary's withdrawal order. (Under current law, miners are entitled to full compensation only for the time that they are idled, or for one week, whichever is the lesser, after all interested parties are given an opportunity for a public hearing and after such order is final.)

Prohibits an underground coal mine operator whose mine has been in pattern of violations status for three years from discharging (or constructively discharging) a miner paid on an hourly basis without reasonable job-related grounds based on certain failures to perform job duties satisfactorily if the miner has completed the employer's probationary period of up to six months. Allows a miner aggrieved by violation of this prohibition to file a complaint in federal district court for reinstatement and compensatory damages.

Requires each underground coal mine operator to implement a communication program to ensure that each miner is orally briefed on and made aware of current mine conditions before traveling to or arriving at the mine work area and commencing assigned tasks.

Prescribes additional requirements for the monitoring of coal dust in underground mines.

Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require each operator of an underground coal mine to install atmospheric monitoring systems.

Revises mine operator health and safety training program requirements. Increases from 8 to 9 the minimum number of hours of refresher training all miners must receive at least once every 12 months, including 1 hour of training on miners statutory rights and responsibilities. Requires such training programs to include distribution of miners' rights as well as a toll-free hotline telephone number.

Requires the Secretary to order a mine operator to provide additional training to miners if a serious or fatal accident has occurred at a mine, it has experienced above-average accident and injury rates, citations, or withdrawal orders, or the operator has a history of failing to adequately train miners.

Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to require the Secretary to give special emphasis in the award of competitive grants for education and training (Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants) to programs and materials that provide underground mine accident rescue simulation training to workers in smaller mines.

Requires the Secretary to issue mandatory standards to establish certification requirements and procedures for persons authorized by a mine operator to perform duties or provide training under such Act.

Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require mine operators to retain certain required records and data that are in electronic form.

 Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states to assist them in developing and implementing miner certification programs.

Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to require a mine operator to deliver within 14 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination.

Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to authorize the Director of NIOSH, acting through the Office of Mine Safety and Health, to enter into cooperative agreements with international institutions and private entities to improve mine safety and health through new interventions.

Authorizes the Secretary to double encumber a position or utilize early replacement hiring for authorized representatives and technical positions in the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Requires the Secretary to develop and report to Congress a succession plan for the replacement of qualified Administration employees for the next five years.

amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act require secretary labor secretary conducting health safety related accident investigations coal mines determine accident occurred violations law mandatory health safety standards requirements cases involving violations federal criminal law refer attorney general recommendations avoid recurrence requires independent accident investigation independent panel appointed secretary health_and_human_services hhs accident involving deaths severity scale merits independent investigation requires director national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh request majority panel initiative issue subpoenas attendance testimony witnesses production relevant papers books documents administer oaths respect investigation authorizes secretary representatives attorneys question individual privately inspection investigation individual willing speak provide statement representatives attorneys presence involvement knowledge operator operator agents attorneys allows closest relative miner entrapped disabled killed prevented accident designate representative miner participate inspection requires inspections conducted shifts days week miners normally present directs secretary request operator review appropriate officials secretary recent evaluation pattern violations status course regular inspection secretary discretion pre inspection conference prohibits attorney representing operator miner inspection investigation litigation miner knowingly waives possible conflicts interest declares title cfr chapter revised published federal register january procedures criteria determining operator pattern violations shall force effect law subject act congress requires secretary revoke approval operator plans programs based certain criteria order withdrawal persons area prohibit entering operator submits secretary approves new plan revises civil criminal penalties related administrative procedures prescribes civil penalty unapproved change coal ventilation system ventilation control required ventilation plan safety standard order violation mandatory health safety standard requiring rock coal violation statutory prohibition providing advance notice inspection violation mandatory health safety standard requiring examinations work areas underground coal revises certain miner protections discrimination prohibits discriminating miner employee operator refusing perform duties good faith reasonable belief performing duties pose safety health hazard entitles miner compensation operator regular rate pay entire period exceed days miner idled secretary withdrawal order current law miners entitled compensation time idled week whichever lesser interested parties given opportunity public hearing order final prohibits underground coal operator pattern violations status years discharging constructively discharging miner paid hourly basis reasonable job related grounds based certain failures perform job duties satisfactorily miner completed employer probationary period months allows miner aggrieved violation prohibition file complaint federal district court reinstatement compensatory damages requires underground coal operator implement communication program ensure miner orally briefed aware current conditions traveling arriving work area commencing assigned tasks prescribes additional requirements monitoring coal dust underground mines directs secretary promulgate regulations require operator underground coal install atmospheric monitoring systems revises operator health safety training program requirements increases minimum number hours refresher training miners receive months including hour training miners statutory rights responsibilities requires training programs include distribution miners rights toll free hotline telephone number requires secretary order operator provide additional training miners fatal accident occurred experienced average accident injury rates citations withdrawal orders operator history failing adequately train miners amends improvement new emergency response act require secretary special emphasis award competitive grants education training brookwood-sago_mine_safety_grants programs materials provide underground accident rescue simulation training workers smaller mines requires secretary issue mandatory standards establish certification requirements procedures persons authorized operator perform duties provide training act directs secretary promulgate regulations require operators retain certain required records data electronic form authorizes secretary grants states assist developing implementing miner certification programs amends black lung benefits act require operator deliver days complete copy examining physician report miner required submit medical examination amends occupational_safety_and_health_act authorize director niosh acting enter cooperative agreements international institutions private entities improve safety health new interventions authorizes secretary double encumber position utilize early replacement hiring authorized representatives technical positions safety_and_health_administration requires secretary develop report congress succession plan replacement qualified administration employees years


Summary:
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2013 - Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 19 years after enactment of this Act.

Prescribes additional periods of required presence in an affected area during atmospheric nuclear testing for individuals filing leukemia or specified disease claims. Increases the amount of compensation an individual filing a claim may receive to $150,000.

Expands "affected area" to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico, as well as any county in Arizona, Nevada, or Utah.

Extends to December 31, 1990, the period during which an individual employed at any time in a uranium mine or uranium mill is made eligible to receive compensation for a disease claim due to radiation exposure. Makes a core driller eligible to receive compensation upon filing of a disease claim.

Makes miners, core drillers, and ore transporters who suffer renal cancer or any other chronic renal disease, including nephritis and kidney tubal tissue injury, eligible for compensation due to exposure to radiation while on the job.

Requires the Attorney General to accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements regarding employment history, physical presence in an affected area, or participation at a nuclear testing site in determining the eligibility of claimants.

Extends until 19 years after enactment of this Act the statute of limitations for the filing of such claims.

Increases from 2% to 10% of the payment received by a claimant the maximum amount of attorneys fees that can be charged for the filing of an initial claim.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to establish a program of grants to institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among non-occupationally exposed individuals, including family members of uranium miners and millers.

Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include as a member of the Special Exposure Cohort entitled to compensation with respect to chronic beryllium disease under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program any Department of Energy (DOE) employee or contractor who contracted cancer after beginning employment between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1990, in a uranium mine or mill located in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, or any other state the Attorney General includes.

radiation exposure compensation act amendments amends radiation exposure compensation act extend radiation_exposure_compensation_trust_fund years enactment act prescribes additional periods required presence affected area atmospheric nuclear testing individuals filing leukemia specified disease claims increases compensation individual filing claim receive expands affected area include colorado idaho montana new_mexico county arizona nevada utah extends december period individual employed time uranium uranium mill eligible receive compensation disease claim radiation exposure makes core driller eligible receive compensation filing disease claim makes miners core drillers ore transporters suffer renal cancer chronic renal disease including nephritis kidney tubal tissue injury eligible compensation exposure radiation job requires attorney general accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements employment history physical presence affected area participation nuclear testing site determining eligibility claimants extends years enactment act statute limitations filing claims increases payment received claimant maximum attorneys fees charged filing initial claim directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs national_institute_of_environmental_health_sciences establish program grants institutions higher education study epidemiological impacts uranium mining milling non occupationally exposed individuals including family members uranium miners millers amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include member special_exposure_cohort entitled compensation respect chronic beryllium disease energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program department_of_energy doe employee contractor contracted cancer beginning employment january december uranium mill located colorado new_mexico arizona wyoming south_dakota washington utah idaho north_dakota oregon texas state attorney general includes


Summary:
Protecting America's Workers Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under specified conditions, to cede OSHA jurisdiction to another federal agency with respect to certain occupational standards or regulations for such agency's employees. Declares OSHA inapplicable to working conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Increases protections for whistle blowers under OSHA.

Prescribes requirements relating to: (1) a employer's duty to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm that the employer creates or controls or in which the employer exposes any individual (not just an employer's employee) performing work there; (2) the posting of employee rights; (3) a site-controlling employer's duty to keep a site log for recordable injuries and illnesses of all employees, including employees of the site-controlling employer or others (including independent contractors) performing work there; (4) employer reporting of employee work-related deaths or hospitalizations, (5) a prohibition against employers adopting or implementing policies or practices that discourage or discriminate against employee reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses; (6) a prohibition against the loss of wages or employee benefits due to an employee participating in a workplace inspection; (7) investigations of incidents resulting in death or the hospitalization of two or more employees which occur in a place of employment; and (8) a prohibition against the issuing, modifying, or settling of unclassified citations for occupational health and safety standard violations.

Continues requirements relating to: (1) the rights of an employee (including a former employee or family member in lieu of an employee) who has sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an inspection or investigation; (2) an employer's right to contest citations and penalties; and (3) periods permitted for an employer to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations pending an employer's contest to a citation and procedures for stays of the time period for abatement of those violations.

Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA violators.

States that pre-final order interest on any penalties owed shall begin to accrue on the date a party contests a citation, at an interest rate calculated at the current underpayment rate.

Prescribes requirements for the Secretary's evaluation of state occupational safety and health plans as well as workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Revises requirements for state plans for the development and enforcement of state occupational safety and health standards in lieu of applicable federal occupational safety and health standards. Requires the Secretary to approve plans that provide for state consideration of repeated occupational safety and health violations committed by an employer within the state as well as those committed under other occupational safety and health plans in states where the Secretary has jurisdiction.

Requires a state that has an approved plan for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards to amend its plan to conform to the requirements of this Act within 12 months after enactment of this Act.

protecting_america workers act amends occupational_safety_and_health_act osha expand coverage federal state local government employees authorizes secretary labor specified conditions cede osha jurisdiction federal agency respect certain occupational standards regulations agency employees declares osha inapplicable working conditions covered federal_mine_safety_and_health_act increases protections whistle blowers osha prescribes requirements relating employer duty furnish place employment free recognized hazards causing likely cause death physical harm employer creates controls employer exposes individual employer employee performing work posting employee rights site controlling employer duty site log recordable injuries illnesses employees including employees site controlling employer including independent contractors performing work employer reporting employee work related deaths hospitalizations prohibition employers adopting implementing policies practices discourage discriminate employee reporting work related injuries illnesses prohibition loss wages employee benefits employee participating workplace inspection investigations incidents resulting death hospitalization employees occur place employment prohibition issuing modifying settling unclassified citations occupational health safety standard violations continues requirements relating rights employee including employee family member lieu employee sustained work related injury illness subject inspection investigation employer right contest citations penalties periods permitted employer correct willful repeated violations pending employer contest citation procedures stays time period abatement violations increases civil criminal penalties certain osha violators states pre final order interest penalties owed shall begin accrue date party contests citation interest rate calculated current underpayment rate prescribes requirements secretary evaluation state occupational safety health plans workplace health hazard evaluations national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh revises requirements state plans development enforcement state occupational safety health standards lieu applicable federal occupational safety health standards requires secretary approve plans provide state consideration repeated occupational safety health violations committed employer state committed occupational safety health plans states secretary jurisdiction requires state approved plan development enforcement occupational safety health standards amend plan conform requirements act months enactment act


Summary:
Burdensome Paperwork Reduction for Our Miners Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Director of the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation and the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Labor, to review forms for obtaining workers' compensation benefits under the Federal Black Lung Benefits Program to determine whether it is feasible to combine or reduce such forms in order to further the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Directs the Secretary to implement any feasible combination or reduction of such forms.


Summary:
Establishes in the Treasury the Mine Safety Grant Fund.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) award competitive Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants to entities for research and outreach to prevent and treat Black Lung Disease, and (2) deposit into the Fund amounts collected as civil penalties for mandatory health or safety standard violations committed by mine operators.

establishes treasury safety grant fund directs secretary labor award competitive brookwood-sago_mine_safety_grants entities research outreach prevent treat deposit fund amounts collected civil penalties mandatory health safety standard violations committed operators


Summary:
Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an interim final standard on safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders for direct-care registered nurses and all other health care workers that requires the use of engineering and safety controls to handle patients through the use of mechanical technology and devices where feasible. Requires, however, the use of alternative controls and measures, including trained, designated lift teams, where such technology and devices are not feasible, in order to minimize the risk of injury to nurses and health care workers.

Includes among the requirements of a final standard that health care employers: (1) develop and implement a safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention program; (2) train their workers on safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention; and (3) post a uniform notice that explains the standard, procedures to report patient handling-related injuries, and workers' rights under this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct unscheduled inspections to ensure compliance with the standard.

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply the safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention standard to hospitals receiving Medicare funds.

nurse act requires secretary labor promulgate interim final standard safe patient handling mobility injury prevention prevent musculoskeletal disorders direct care registered nurses health care workers requires use engineering safety controls handle patients use mechanical technology devices feasible requires use alternative controls measures including trained designated lift teams technology devices feasible order minimize risk injury nurses health care workers includes requirements final standard health care employers develop implement safe patient handling mobility injury prevention program train workers safe patient handling mobility injury prevention post uniform notice explains standard procedures report patient handling related injuries workers rights act requires secretary conduct unscheduled inspections ensure compliance standard amends title xviii medicare social security act apply safe patient handling mobility injury prevention standard hospitals receiving medicare funds


Summary:
Nuclear Workers Health Advisory Board Act - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to require the President to establish an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health.

Requires the Board to provide advice to the President on the review and approval of the Department of Labor site exposure matrix (SEM) used to determine the eligibility of Department of Energy (DOE) employee contractor claims for compensation for lung disease resulting from exposure to toxic substances.

nuclear workers health advisory board act amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act require president establish requires board provide advice president review approval department_of_labor site exposure matrix sem determine eligibility department_of_energy doe employee contractor claims compensation lung disease resulting exposure toxic substances


Summary:
Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act, with respect to claims filed on or after the effective date of the Black Lung Benefits Amendments of 1981, to eliminate exceptions to: (1) the applicability of certain provisions regarding rebuttable presumptions; and (2) the prohibition against requiring eligible survivors of a miner determined to be eligible for black lung benefits to file a new claim or refile or otherwise revalidate the miner's claim.

Applies the amendments made by this Act to claims filed after January 1, 2005, that were pending on or after March 23, 2010.

amends black lung benefits act respect claims filed effective date eliminate exceptions applicability certain provisions rebuttable presumptions prohibition requiring eligible survivors miner determined eligible black lung benefits file new claim miner claim applies amendments act claims filed january pending march


Summary: Future Logging Careers Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to make the restrictions on oppressive child labor inapplicable to employment of an employee age 16 or 17 by a parent, or a person standing in place of a parent, in a logging or mechanized operation owned or operated by that parent or person.

future logging careers act amends fair labor standards act restrictions oppressive child labor inapplicable employment employee age parent person standing place parent logging mechanized operation owned operated parent person


Summary: Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to authorize appropriations for FY2015 specifically for Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants for programs to provide hands-on mine safety skills training and certification in mine rescue and mine emergency response.

amends improvement new emergency response act authorize appropriations fy2015 specifically brookwood-sago_mine_safety_grants programs provide hands safety skills training certification rescue emergency response


Summary: Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require any employment in which children under the age of 18 come into direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves to be considered particularly hazardous oppressive child labor, which is prohibited under such Act.

amends fair labor standards act require employment children age come direct contact tobacco plants dried tobacco leaves considered particularly hazardous oppressive child labor prohibited act