Summary: Supplemental Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2007 or the S-MINER Act - (Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) to require emergency response plans, to be in approved status, to: (1) provide for, within 120 days after enactment of this Act, a post communication system between underground and surface personnel and an electronic tracking system permitting surface personnel to locate persons trapped underground that utilizes a system at least as effective as a leaky feeder or wireless mesh type communication and tracking system currently in use in the industry; and (2) be revised to incorporate new technology that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certifies can be added to the existing system to improve its ability to facilitate post-accident communication with, or tracking of, miners. Requires such systems to be enhanced physically, electronically, or redundantly to improve their survivability in the event of a mine disaster.Prohibits miners from being disciplined based on information obtained from an electronic communications and tracking system.Provides that the requirement that a plan provide for supplies of breathable air for individuals trapped underground may not be satisfied by the placement of an order within a company for future delivery of a portable refuge chamber or other means of providing such emergency supplies of breathable air. Requires the Secretary of Labor to issue interim final regulations, consistent with the design criteria recommended by NIOSH, requiring each emergency response plan to provide for the installation of portable rescue chambers or refuge shelters carved out of the mine working and sealed with bulkheads. Requires a portable refuge chamber to be installed and maintained within 500 feet of the nearest working face in each working section of an underground coal mine.Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to repeal provisions concerning standards relating to the sealing of abandoned areas in mines. Requires the Secretary to: (1) inspect seals during construction to ensure the mine operator is complying with the seal plan; and (2) issue rules regarding approval, design, construction, inspection, maintenance and monitoring of underground coal mine seals. Requires such regulations to provide that: (1) seal sampling pipes shall be composed of materials that minimize the risk of transmitting any electrical charge and no conductive materials may be used to line boreholes within three feet of the surface; and (2) an action plan for sealing and repair be established that will include specific actions the mine operator will take to protect miners immediately after sealing or repair takes place, which shall be reviewed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA); and (3) methane pressures behind seals required to be monitored shall be maintained in such a manner as to ensure that normal pressure variations that can be reasonable anticipated in the area of the seal do not bring the methane-air mixture into an appropriate safety range surrounding the known explosive range of such mixtures.Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish interim final regulations to enhance the survivability of underground mine ventilation controls; (2) require that stoppings be constructed in a specified manner.Requires: (1) NIOSH to issue recommendations as to whether changes to rock dusting requirements are necessary to ensure an equivalent level of protection in light of any changes to the size and composition of coal dust since these requirements were established; and (2) the Secretary to take appropriate action, including the issuance of an emergency temporary standard if warranted, to respond to such recommendations.Requires the Secretary to publish, within 90 days, interim final rules to revise the requirements for flame resistant conveyor belts to ensure that they meet NIOSH's most recent recommendations and are designed to limit smoke and toxic emissions. Exempts conveyor belts that: (1) were ordered, in a mine's inventory, or installed prior to enactment of this Act or that were ordered after enactment if the Secretary certifies that the mine operator was unable to obtain a belt meeting such requirements; or (2) have been in use for more than five years and have been inspected annually by a certified professional to ensure they are free from visible defects that could cause failure or possible ignition.Requires the Secretary, no later than June 20, 2008, to revise belt air regulations to require that belt haulage entries not be used to ventilate active working places in coal mines, regardless of the date opened. Authorizes the Secretary to agree to a modification of such requirement if the mine operator: (1) establishes that significant safety constraints require such usage; and (2) agrees to comply with criteria established by the Secretary that includes the conditions recommended by the Technical Study Panel.Requires: (1) mine operators to be required to implement a communication program at each of their facilities to ensure that each person entering the operation is made aware at the start of that person's shift of the current conditions of the mine and of that person's specific worksite; (2) operators' agents who are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions to communicate with those replacing them on the conditions they observed during their shift, including conditions that are abnormal or hazardous; (3) oncoming agents, prior to entering the mine or other workplace, to meet with all members of their crew and inform them of the general conditions at the operation and in their work area; and (4) such agents, in the event an operation is idle prior to the start of a shift, to meet with the individuals who were responsible for examining the mine to obtain the necessary information.Requires an operator of an underground mine to install atmospheric monitoring systems in underground areas where miners normally work and travel that provide real-time information regarding carbon monoxide levels, and that can withstand explosions and fires.Requires each miner who is working alone for part of a shift to be equipped with a multi-gas detector that measures current levels of methane, oxygen, and carbon monoxide.Requires the National Academy of Sciences to submit to the Secretary and to Congress recommendations on: (1) actions that need to be taken to strengthen existing law to ensure that miners are protected from the risks of lightning strikes near a mine; (2) adopting existing technology to the mining environment to minimize such risks; and (3) research needed for improved technology.Requires the Secretary to ensure the appropriate use of roof screen in belt entries, travel roads, and designated intake and return escapeways. Sets forth regulations concerning roof screening requirements and barrier reduction or pillar extraction plans. Requires an operator to have a current and approved reduction or extraction plan, or both, before performing reduction or extraction activities. Directs the Secretary to approve such plans only if they: (1) provide adequate protection and minimize the risks for miners engaged in such activity, reflecting engineering analysis, computer simulations, and consultations with technical experts; and (2) comply with requirements that may be adopted by the Secretary for such activities, including requirements related to the depth of the mine, geology of the mine, mine height and methods, and emergency response capabilities. Requires a copy of such plan to be provided to representatives of miners and authorizes such representatives to provide comments to the Secretary, who is required to respond. Requires the Secretary, before approving reduction or extraction plans for depths below 1,500 feet and in mines with a history of mountain bumps, to establish a special internal review process that requires: (1) operators to notify MSHA before commencement of operations to ensure miners are trained; and (2) the Secretary to observe such operations for a sufficient period of time to ensure that the mine operator is complying with the plan. Authorizes the Secretary to preclude or halt the commencement of such operations when the safety of the miners comes into question.Requires NIOSH to submit to the Secretary and Congress recommendations for: (1) actions to strengthen existing requirements to ensure that miners are protected from ground control hazards, including the special hazards associated with barrier reduction and pillar extraction; (2) adopting existing technology to the mining environment to improve miner protections during barrier reduction and pillar extraction, during mining at depths below 1,000 feet, and during secondary mining of coal resources; and (3) research needed for improved technology to improve miner protections during such operations.Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a self-contained self-rescuers inspection program to randomly remove and test samples of each model of self-rescue device used in an underground coal mine in order to ensure that such devices are working in accordance with approved criteria; (2) require a manufacturer of a self-rescue device and the mine operator who owns a device to contact the Secretary immediately upon notification of any potential problem with such devices and to provide notice to the representative of miners at the affected operation; and (3) notify immediately operators of underground coal mines if the Secretary detects or is advised of problems with such devices.Applies the regulations concerning conveyor belts in underground coal mines to conveyor belts and seals of abandoned areas in underground metal and nonmetal mines.Applies the regulations concerning the approval, design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and monitoring of underground coal mine seals to seals in underground metal and nonmetal mines which have been classified by the Secretary as a category I, III, or V mine because they naturally emit defined quantities of methane.Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory committee on regulations applicable to underground metal and nonmetal mines.Sets forth priorities for MSHA's approval center.Requires NIOSH to give priority in its research to specified technologies that could help miners in an emergency.(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to establish a Master Inspector program to provide incentives for employees to serve as inspectors.Establishes, within the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, the position of Miner Ombudsman, whose duties shall include ensuring that the rights of miners are upheld and that miners' complaints are kept confidential. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for a fine for a pattern of violations of health or safety standards. Requires the Secretary to withdraw miners from a mine when any pattern of violations has been determined to exist until the violations have been corrected and the operator has agreed to abide by a plan approved by the MSHA to ensure that such a pattern will not recur. Provides for a civil penalty for operators who retaliate against miners who report safety and health violations.Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) an advisory committee to make recommendations on whether the Mine Act should provide for federal licensing of mines and mine personnel to ensure that those engaged in mining activities are not frequent violators of safety and health requirements; and (2) a national registry of violators.(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a central communications emergency call center within the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (2) maps on the Department of Labor's website showing the locations of operating and abandoned mines; and (3) a repository for preserving a digital archive of mining maps to be accessible on such website.Requires a mine operator to notify the Secretary of reportable events that include: (1) a fire not required to be reported more promptly; (2) a sudden change in mine atmospheric conditions in a sealed area; (3) a coal or rock outburst that causes the withdrawal of miners; or (4) other events that need to be reported within one hour in order for the Secretary to determine if the working conditions in the mine are safe. Requires regulations concerning mine rescue teams to provide for uniform credentials and coordination with local emergency response personnel. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require NIOSH to research advanced drilling and special technologies required for safety or rescue in mining more than 1,500 in depth.Requires the Secretary to establish guidelines for rescue operations that will: (1) establish clear lines of authority within MSHA for such operations; (2) establish clear lines of demarcation so private sector and state responders can properly implement their responsibilities; and (3) be appropriate for rescue in various types of conditions reasonably likely to be encountered, addressing such factors as the depth of the mining, ground stability, ground slope, remoteness from major roads, surface ownership and access problems, and the availability of necessary communications linkages. Requires an operator, if the Secretary supervises and directs rescue and recovery activities in the operator's mine, to comply with the Secretary's requests to facilitate such activities, including the provision of equipment and personnel. Considers failure of the operator to comply with such requests as an egregious violation of such Act.Requires the Secretary to: (1) designate a full-time permanent MSHA employee to serve as a Family Liaison to act as the primary communicator with the families of trapped miners throughout the rescue operation; (2) direct MSHA to be responsive to request from families of miners for information relating to the accident and to waive document production fees; and (3) designate a representative of the Secretary with specified qualifications to serve as the primary communicator with the press and the public.Requires rescue efforts for trapped miners to continue as long as there is any possibility that miners are alive, unless such efforts pose a serious danger to rescue or other workers. Requires the decision to cease a rescue to be made by the Secretary's representative.Requires the Secretary, for accident and incident investigations under the Mine Act, to determine: (1) why the accident or incident occurred; (2) whether civil or criminal requirements were violated and, if so, to issue citations and penalties and make recommendations to avoid recurrence; and (3) whether the conduct or lack thereof of MSHA personnel contributed to the accident or incident. Requires an independent investigation for accidents or incidents involving multiple serious injuries or deaths or multiple entrapments. Provides for the establishment of rules on the procedures that will be used to investigate such accidents and incidents. Requires the Secretary to report on the implementation of recommendations issued by independent investigation teams in the preceding five years. (Sec. 7) Requires coal mine operators to maintain the concentration of respirable dust in the mine atmosphere during each shift at or below a time-weighted average of one milligram (currently, 2) of respirable dust per cubic meter of air averaged over 10 hours or its dose-equivalent for a shorter or longer period of time. Requires: (1) the Secretary to regularly sample respirable dust in coal mines in order to determine compliance with the respirable dust standard; (2) miners to be equipped with a personal dust monitor; and (3) miners to be permitted to adjust their work activities whenever necessary to keep their exposure to respirable coal dust below the permitted concentration. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for the purchase of personal dust monitors.Sets forth concentration and exposure limits and sampling and respiratory equipment requirements regarding respirable silica dust in the mine atmosphere.(Sec. 8) Requires: (1) NIOSH to annually forward to the Secretary its Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) for chemical and other hazards to which miners may be exposed; and (2) the Secretary to adopt the RELs as the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for application in the mining industry. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) review the feasibility of any PEL before placing it into effect upon the petition from miners or mine operators that provides credible evidence that feasibility may be an issue for the industry as a whole; (2) make necessary adjustments to PELs following public notice and comment, provided that the adjusted standard is as protective as is feasible and that the PEL shall go into effect if the adjustments are not completed within one year; and (3) defer implementation of safety and health standards and to request that NIOSH recommend a sufficiently detailed REL upon the petition from miners or mine operators that provides credible evidence that an REL issued by NIOSH lacks the specificity required to serve as a PEL.Decreases the permitted limit for coal dust. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary to conduct compliance sampling (currently, mine operators conduct the sampling). Requires the use of the NIOSH developed and certified personal dust monitor for sampling. Requires underground miners to be equipped with such monitors. Establishes a limit for silica dust in underground mines and makes respiratory equipment available to persons that have been exposed to respirable dust or silica at specified levels. Provides that the use of respirators shall not be substituted for environmental control measures. Requires operators to report to the Secretary on the conditions in the active workings of a coal mine.Requires MSHA to adopt the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard for hazardous asbestos.Requires the Secretary to apply the provisions of the interim final rule of October 3, 2000, concerning hazard communication in lieu of the final rule of June 21, 2002, until there is additional rulemaking pursuant to the requirements of the Mine Act.Requires the Secretary to study and report on policies designed to deal with substance abuse by miners, including the causes, nature, and extent of such abuse, its impact on mine safety and health, best practices for treatment, rehabilitation, and substance abuse testing policies, and the adequacy of state laws and approaches. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program within MSHA to provide for substance abuse testing of miners, as well as rehabilitation and treatment of miners suffering from substance abuse, if, as a result of the study, the Secretary determines it to be feasible and effective.Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to entities and programs for the purpose of providing rehabilitation services to current and former miners suffering from mental health impairments, including drug addiction and substance abuse issues, which may have been caused or exacerbated by their work as miners. Requires the Secretary to ensure that such funds are directed to those regions of the country most in need of such assistance. Authorizes appropriations.(Sec. 9) Establishes in the Treasury the Mine Safety Program Fund for inspections and investigations of occurrences in coal or other mines relating to health or safety.

supplemental improvement new emergency response act miner act sec amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act act require emergency response plans approved status provide days enactment act post communication system underground surface personnel electronic tracking system permitting surface personnel locate persons underground utilizes system effective feeder wireless mesh type communication tracking system currently use industry revised incorporate new technology national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh certifies added existing system improve ability facilitate post accident communication tracking miners requires systems enhanced physically electronically improve survivability event disaster prohibits miners disciplined based information obtained electronic communications tracking system provides requirement plan provide supplies air individuals underground satisfied placement order company future delivery portable refuge chamber means providing emergency supplies air requires secretary labor issue interim final regulations consistent design criteria recommended niosh requiring emergency response plan provide installation portable rescue chambers refuge shelters working sealed requires portable refuge chamber installed maintained feet nearest working face working section underground coal amends improvement new emergency response act repeal provisions concerning standards relating sealing abandoned areas mines requires secretary inspect seals construction ensure operator complying seal plan issue rules approval design construction inspection maintenance monitoring underground coal seals requires regulations provide seal sampling pipes shall composed materials minimize risk transmitting electrical charge materials line feet surface action plan sealing repair established include specific actions operator protect miners immediately sealing repair takes place shall reviewed safety_and_health_administration methane pressures seals required monitored shall maintained manner ensure normal pressure variations reasonable anticipated area seal bring methane air mixture appropriate safety range surrounding known explosive range mixtures directs secretary publish interim final regulations enhance survivability underground ventilation controls require constructed specified manner requires niosh issue recommendations changes rock requirements necessary ensure equivalent level protection light changes size composition coal dust requirements established secretary appropriate action including issuance emergency temporary standard warranted respond recommendations requires secretary publish days interim final rules revise requirements flame resistant belts ensure meet niosh recent recommendations designed limit smoke toxic emissions exempts belts ordered inventory installed prior enactment act ordered enactment secretary certifies operator unable obtain belt meeting requirements use years inspected annually certified professional ensure free visible defects cause failure possible ignition requires secretary later june revise belt air regulations require belt entries active working places coal mines regardless date opened authorizes secretary agree modification requirement operator establishes significant safety constraints require usage agrees comply criteria established secretary includes conditions recommended requires operators required implement communication program facilities ensure person entering operation aware start person shift current conditions person specific worksite operators agents responsible ensuring safe healthful working conditions communicate replacing conditions observed shift including conditions abnormal hazardous agents prior entering workplace meet members crew inform general conditions operation work area agents event operation idle prior start shift meet individuals responsible examining obtain necessary information requires operator underground install atmospheric monitoring systems underground areas miners normally work travel provide real time information carbon monoxide levels withstand explosions fires requires miner working shift equipped multi gas detector measures current levels methane oxygen carbon monoxide requires national_academy_of_sciences submit secretary congress recommendations actions need taken strengthen existing law ensure miners protected risks lightning strikes near adopting existing technology mining environment minimize risks research needed improved technology requires secretary ensure appropriate use roof screen belt entries travel roads designated intake return sets forth regulations concerning roof screening requirements barrier reduction extraction plans requires operator current approved reduction extraction plan performing reduction extraction activities directs secretary approve plans provide adequate protection minimize risks miners engaged activity reflecting engineering analysis computer consultations technical experts comply requirements adopted secretary activities including requirements related depth geology height methods emergency response capabilities requires copy plan provided representatives miners authorizes representatives provide comments secretary required respond requires secretary approving reduction extraction plans depths feet mines history mountain establish special internal review process requires operators notify commencement operations ensure miners trained secretary observe operations sufficient period time ensure operator complying plan authorizes secretary preclude halt commencement operations safety miners comes question requires niosh submit secretary congress recommendations actions strengthen existing requirements ensure miners protected ground control hazards including special hazards associated barrier reduction extraction adopting existing technology mining environment improve miner protections barrier reduction extraction mining depths feet secondary mining coal resources research needed improved technology improve miner protections operations requires secretary establish self contained self inspection program randomly remove test samples model self rescue device underground coal order ensure devices working accordance approved criteria require manufacturer self rescue device operator owns device contact secretary immediately notification potential problem devices provide notice representative miners affected operation notify immediately operators underground coal mines secretary detects advised problems devices applies regulations concerning belts underground coal mines belts seals abandoned areas underground metal mines applies regulations concerning approval design construction inspection maintenance monitoring underground coal seals seals underground metal mines classified secretary category iii naturally emit defined quantities methane requires secretary establish advisory committee regulations applicable underground metal mines sets forth priorities approval center requires niosh priority research specified technologies help miners requires secretary establish program provide incentives employees serve inspectors establishes position duties shall include ensuring rights miners miners complaints kept confidential authorizes appropriations provides fine pattern violations health safety standards requires secretary withdraw miners pattern violations determined exist violations corrected operator agreed abide plan approved ensure pattern provides civil penalty operators retaliate miners report safety health violations requires secretary establish advisory committee recommendations act provide federal licensing mines personnel ensure engaged mining activities frequent violators safety health requirements national registry requires secretary establish central communications emergency center safety_and_health_administration maps department_of_labor website showing locations operating abandoned mines repository preserving digital archive mining maps accessible website requires operator notify secretary reportable events include fire required reported promptly sudden change atmospheric conditions sealed area coal rock causes withdrawal miners events need reported hour order secretary determine working conditions safe requires regulations concerning rescue teams provide uniform credentials coordination local emergency response personnel amends occupational_safety_and_health_act require niosh research advanced drilling special technologies required safety rescue mining depth requires secretary establish guidelines rescue operations establish clear lines authority operations establish clear lines private sector state responders properly implement responsibilities appropriate rescue types conditions reasonably likely encountered addressing factors depth mining ground stability ground slope major roads surface ownership access problems availability necessary communications linkages requires operator secretary supervises directs rescue recovery activities operator comply secretary requests facilitate activities including provision equipment personnel considers failure operator comply requests egregious violation act requires secretary designate time permanent employee serve family liaison act primary families miners rescue operation direct responsive request families miners information relating accident waive document production fees designate representative secretary specified qualifications serve primary press public requires rescue efforts miners continue long possibility miners alive efforts pose danger rescue workers requires decision cease rescue secretary representative requires secretary accident incident investigations act determine accident incident occurred civil criminal requirements violated issue citations penalties recommendations avoid recurrence conduct lack thereof personnel contributed accident incident requires independent investigation accidents incidents involving multiple injuries deaths multiple provides establishment rules procedures investigate accidents incidents requires secretary report implementation recommendations issued independent investigation teams preceding years sec requires coal operators maintain concentration respirable dust atmosphere shift time weighted average currently respirable dust cubic meter air hours dose equivalent shorter longer period time requires secretary regularly sample respirable dust coal mines order determine compliance respirable dust standard miners equipped personal dust monitor miners permitted adjust work activities necessary exposure respirable coal dust permitted concentration authorizes appropriations secretary purchase personal dust monitors sets forth concentration exposure limits sampling respiratory equipment requirements respirable silica dust requires niosh annually forward secretary chemical hazards miners exposed secretary adopt application mining industry authorizes secretary review feasibility placing effect petition miners operators provides credible evidence feasibility issue industry necessary adjustments following public notice comment provided adjusted standard protective feasible shall effect adjustments completed year defer implementation safety health standards request niosh recommend sufficiently detailed petition miners operators provides credible evidence issued niosh lacks specificity required serve permitted limit coal dust requires secretary health_and_human_services secretary conduct compliance sampling currently operators conduct sampling requires use niosh developed certified personal dust monitor sampling requires underground miners equipped monitors establishes limit silica dust underground mines makes respiratory equipment available persons exposed respirable dust silica specified levels provides use shall substituted environmental control measures requires operators report secretary conditions active coal requires adopt occupational_safety_and_health_administration osha standard hazardous asbestos requires secretary apply provisions interim final rule october concerning hazard communication lieu final rule june additional rulemaking pursuant requirements act requires secretary study report policies designed deal substance abuse miners including causes nature extent abuse impact safety health best practices treatment rehabilitation substance abuse testing policies adequacy state laws approaches authorizes secretary establish program provide substance abuse testing miners rehabilitation treatment miners suffering substance abuse result study secretary determines feasible effective authorizes secretary award grants entities programs purpose providing rehabilitation services current miners suffering mental health impairments including drug addiction substance abuse issues caused exacerbated work miners requires secretary ensure funds directed regions country need assistance authorizes establishes treasury inspections investigations occurrences coal mines relating health safety


Summary: Miner Health Enhancement Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that essential standards to protect miner health are out of date and congressional intervention is needed.Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require: (1) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to forward to the Secretary of Labor its Recommended Exposure Limits for chemical and other hazards to miners; (2) the Secretary to require the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to adopt such limits as the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for the mining industry; (3) NIOSH to annually submit to the Secretary any additional or revised recommended exposure limits for hazardous substances utilized in the industry; (4) the Secretary to adopt such limits as PELs for the industry; (4) MSHA to adopt the health standard for asbestos established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); and (5) the Secretary to apply the provisions of the interim final rule of October 3, 2000, concerning hazard communication in lieu of the final rule of June 21, 2002, until there is additional rulemaking pursuant to the requirements of this Act.

miner health enhancement act expresses sense congress essential standards protect miner health date congressional intervention needed amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act require national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh forward secretary labor chemical hazards miners secretary require safety_and_health_administration adopt limits mining industry niosh annually submit secretary additional revised recommended exposure limits hazardous substances utilized industry secretary adopt limits industry adopt health standard asbestos established occupational_safety_and_health_administration osha secretary apply provisions interim final rule october concerning hazard communication lieu final rule june additional rulemaking pursuant requirements act


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 50% of the cost of qualified advanced mine safety equipment property (in lieu of the existing taxpayer election to expense 50% of such property in the current taxable year). Defines such property to include: (1) an emergency communication technology or device for constant communication with individuals outside the mine; (2) an electronic identification and location device; (3) an emergency oxygen-generating device; (4) pre-positioned oxygen supplies; and (5) a comprehensive atmospheric monitoring system to monitor levels of carbon monoxide and other gases present in a mine.Revises the tax credit for mine rescue team training expenses to: (1) increase the amount of such credit; (2) allow such credit as an offset against the alternative minimum tax; and (3) make such credit permanent.

amends internal revenue code allow tax credit cost qualified advanced safety equipment property lieu existing taxpayer election expense property current taxable year defines property include emergency communication technology device constant communication individuals outside electronic identification location device emergency oxygen generating device pre positioned oxygen supplies comprehensive atmospheric monitoring system monitor levels carbon monoxide gases present revises tax credit rescue team training expenses increase credit allow credit offset alternative minimum tax credit permanent


Summary: Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a program of research, development, and demonstration, including the establishment of best practices, adaptation of existing technology, and efforts to accelerate the development of next generation technology and tracking systems for mine communications.Requires the Director to evaluate areas of research and development and best practices that will be most promising in protecting miner safety.Authorizes the Director, in establishing the program, to focus on the following communications and tracking system characteristics: (1) systems that are likely to work in emergency situations; (2) systems that work in coal mines, with special attention paid to deep underground coal mines; (3) systems that provide coverage throughout all areas of the mine; (4) hybrid systems that use both wireless and infrastructure-based systems; (5) functionality for two-way and voice communications; (6) systems that serve emergency and routine communications needs; (7) the ability to work with existing legacy systems and to be quickly integrated; and (8) propagation environment characterization, performance metrics, and independently derived validation tests to verify performance for standards development.Requires the Director to: (1) work with industry and federal agencies to develop consensus industry standards for communications in underground mines; and (2) develop and provide any needed measurement services to support implementation of these standards. Urges that the following issues be addressed: (1) the appropriate use of frequency bands and power levels; (2) matters related to interoperability; and (3) technology to prevent interference.Authorizes appropriations for carrying out this Act for FY2009-FY2010, to be derived from amounts authorized under the America COMPETES Act.

innovation act requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology establish program research development demonstration including establishment best practices adaptation existing technology efforts accelerate development generation technology tracking systems communications requires director evaluate areas research development best practices promising protecting miner safety authorizes director establishing program focus following communications tracking system characteristics systems likely work emergency situations systems work coal mines special attention paid deep underground coal mines systems provide coverage areas hybrid systems use wireless infrastructure based systems functionality way voice communications systems serve emergency routine communications needs ability work existing legacy systems quickly integrated propagation environment characterization performance metrics independently derived validation tests verify performance standards development requires director work industry federal agencies develop consensus industry standards communications underground mines develop provide needed measurement services support implementation standards urges following issues addressed appropriate use frequency bands power levels matters related interoperability technology prevent interference authorizes appropriations carrying act fy2009 fy2010 derived amounts authorized america competes act


Summary: Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary of Labor, within 90 days, to promulgate an interim final standard regulating combustible dusts, 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 Administration's (OSHA) standard on grain facilities.Requires such standard 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, including the frequency and methods used to minimize accumulations of combustible dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces; (3) engineering (which requirements shall be effective six months after the date on which the interim standard is issued), administrative controls and operating procedures, such as means to control fugitive dust emissions and ignition sources, the safe use and maintenance of dust producing and dust collection systems and filters, minimizing horizontal surfaces where dust can accumulate, and sealing of areas inaccessible to housekeeping; (4) 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) employee participation in hazard assessment, development of and compliance with the written program, and other elements of hazard management; and (6) providing safety and health information and annual training to employees, including housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventive maintenance procedures, common ignition sources, and lock-out, tag-out procedures.Provides an exemption from otherwise applicable rulemaking requirements for the interim standard but not for the final standard.Provides that such interim standard shall have the legal effect of an occupational safety and health standard and shall apply until a final standard becomes effective.Requires the Secretary of Labor, within 18 months, to promulgate a final occupational safety and health standard regulating combustible dust explosions that has the same scope and worker protection provisions as the interim rule and provides requirements for: (1) managing change of dust producing materials, technology, equipment, staffing, and procedures; (2) building design such as explosion venting, ducting, and sprinklers; and (3) explosion protection, including separation and segregation of the hazard. Requires the final rule to include relevant and appropriate provisions of the National Fire Protection Association combustible dust standards.(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to revise the hazard communications standard to amend the definition of "physical hazard" to include "a combustible dust" as an additional example of such a hazard.

fires act sec requires secretary labor days promulgate interim final standard regulating combustible 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_and_health_administration osha standard grain facilities requires standard provide requirements hazard assessment identify evaluate control combustible dust hazards written program includes provisions hazardous dust inspection testing hot work ignition control including frequency methods minimize combustible dust equipment exposed surfaces engineering requirements shall effective months date interim standard issued administrative controls operating procedures means control fugitive dust emissions ignition sources safe use maintenance dust producing dust collection systems filters minimizing horizontal surfaces dust accumulate sealing areas inaccessible prevent accumulation combustible dust places employment depths present explosion fire hazards including safe methods dust removal employee participation hazard assessment development compliance written program elements hazard management providing safety health information annual training employees including procedures hot work procedures preventive maintenance procedures common ignition sources lock tag procedures provides exemption applicable rulemaking requirements interim standard final standard provides interim standard shall legal effect occupational safety health standard shall apply final standard effective requires secretary labor months promulgate final occupational safety health standard regulating combustible dust explosions scope worker protection provisions interim rule provides requirements managing change dust producing materials technology equipment staffing procedures building design explosion venting explosion protection including separation segregation hazard requires final rule include relevant appropriate provisions combustible dust requires secretary revise hazard communications standard amend definition physical hazard include combustible dust additional example hazard


Summary: Ray Ruiz Special Exposure Cohort Act - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include an employee of the Department of Energy (DOE) or its contractors or subcontractors who worked for at least 250 work days at the Los Alamos site in New Mexico within the meaning of the term "member of the Special Exposure Cohort" for purposes of occupational illness compensation.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.

exposure include employee department_of_energy doe contractors subcontractors worked work days site new_mexico meaning term member special_exposure_cohort purposes occupational illness compensation provides claim individual qualifies compensation benefits act shall considered notwithstanding denial claim compensation respect individual


Summary: Compensation and Respect for Energy Workers Act of 2008 or the CARE Act - Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand the diseases for which individuals who were exposed to radiation from nuclear testing may claim compensation to include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, posterior subcapsular cataracts, nonmalignant thyroid nodular disease, parathyroid adenoma, malignant tumors of the brain and central nervous system, and brochio-alveolar carcinoma, and benign neoplasms of the brain and central nervous system. Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to: (1) provide to potential claimants of compensation a list of physicians qualified to perform medical and impairment screenings and a written notice of benefits for which they may be eligible under such Act; (2) require exposure assessments of contaminated sites to identify by trade name (if any) any chemical commonly used in such sites; (3) require the Secretary of Labor to provide the public with site profiles and other information used to evaluate claims for compensation; (4) require payment of compensation to a claimant's estate if such claimant dies after filing a claim but before any compensation is paid and leaves no survivors; (5) expand the duties of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Department of Labor to include providing benefit information to claimants and contracting for expert services; (6) extend to one year the limitation period for filing a petition for review in federal district court of any denial of a compensation claim; and (7) include within the definition of "member of the Special Exposure Cohort" certain Department of Energy (DOE) employees or contractors at the Rocky Flats site in Colorado. Allows claimants under the Act 120 days to respond to a request for information from the Secretary.Requires the promulgation of regulations for: (1) the direct payment to providers of personal care services and transportation expenses for claimants who receive medical benefits under the Act; (2) providing clear, concise, and easily understandable explanations of the claims process, including denials of claims; and (3) the retention of records in the Departments of Energy and Labor that might be used by claimants in the claims process.

compensation respect energy workers act care act amends radiation exposure compensation act expand diseases individuals exposed radiation nuclear testing claim compensation include chronic leukemia thyroid disease tumors brain central nervous system brain central nervous system amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act provide potential claimants compensation list physicians qualified perform medical impairment screenings written notice benefits eligible act require exposure assessments contaminated sites identify trade chemical commonly sites require secretary labor provide public site profiles information evaluate claims compensation require payment compensation claimant estate claimant dies filing claim compensation paid leaves survivors expand duties office_of_the_ombudsman department_of_labor include providing benefit information claimants contracting expert services extend year limitation period filing petition review federal district court denial compensation claim include definition member special_exposure_cohort certain department_of_energy doe employees contractors rocky flats site colorado allows claimants act days respond request information secretary requires promulgation regulations direct payment providers personal care services transportation expenses claimants receive medical benefits act providing clear concise easily understandable explanations claims process including denials claims retention records claimants claims process


Summary: Nevada Test Site Veterans' Compensation Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include within the definition of a "member of the Special Exposure Cohort" under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program a Department of Energy (DOE) employee, contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee who was so employed at the Nevada Test Site or other similar sites located in Nevada during the period of January 1, 1950, to December 31, 1993, who contracted an occupational illness, basal cell carcinoma, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and who met one of other specified criteria during such employment.Establishes deadlines for claims adjudication.

nevada test site veterans compensation act amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include definition member special_exposure_cohort doe employee contractor employee atomic weapons employee employed nevada_test_site similar sites located nevada period january december contracted occupational illness cell chronic leukemia met specified criteria employment establishes deadlines claims adjudication


Summary: Rocky Flats Special Exposure Cohort Act - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to amend the definition of a "member of the Special Exposure Cohort" for purposes of such Program to include persons who were employed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or a DOE contractor or subcontractor for an aggregate of at least 250 work days before January 1, 2006, at the Rocky Flats site in Colorado.

rocky flats special exposure cohort act amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act amend definition member special_exposure_cohort purposes program include persons employed department_of_energy doe doe contractor subcontractor aggregate work days january rocky flats site colorado


Summary: Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Amendments of 2007 - 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: 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 Heath Act of 1977. Sets forth increased protections for whistleblowers under OSHA. Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA violators. Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) victims' rights; (2) posting of employee rights; (3) investigations of fatalities and serious injuries; (4) prohibition of unclassified citations; (5) right to contest citations and penalties; and (6) objections to modifications of citations. Directs the Secretary to revise regulations and promulgate OSHA standards to require employers to provide personal protective equipment for employees at no cost to employees.

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_heath_act sets forth increased protections whistleblowers osha increases civil criminal penalties certain osha violators sets forth provisions relating victims rights posting employee rights investigations fatalities injuries prohibition unclassified citations right contest citations penalties objections modifications citations directs secretary revise regulations promulgate osha standards require employers provide personal protective equipment employees cost employees


Summary: Miner Health and Safety Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) to require: (1) emergency response plans to incorporate new technology; and (2) the Secretary of Labor to require the installation of rescue chambers in underground coal mines.Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to repeal provisions concerning standards relating to the sealing of abandoned areas in mines and sets forth provisions concerning: (1) regulating mine seals; (2) regulating the survivability of mine ventilation controls; (3) directing the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to determine whether changes in rock dust requirements are needed; (4) publishing regulations on flame resistance requirements for conveyor belts in use in mines; (5) prohibiting belt haulage entries from being used to ventilate active working places; (6) requiring operators to implement communication programs at their facilities and to install atmospheric monitoring systems; (7) requiring miners who may be working alone to be equipped with multi-gas detectors; (8) requiring operators to use administrative action to protect miners from lightning; and (9) requiring the Secretary to establish a self-contained self-rescuers inspection program and an advisory committee on regulations applicable to underground metal and nonmetal mines.Supplements the Secretary's enforcement authority, including by establishing a Master Inspector program to provide incentives for employees to serve as inspectors. Provides for a fine for a pattern of violations of health or safety standards.Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a central communications emergency call center within the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (2) require mine operators to have an ambulance within a specified area; and (3) review and revise the training and availability requirements for medical emergency technicians. Requires: (1) an operator to notify the Secretary of specified types of accidents and to prevent the destruction of evidence; and (2) regulations concerning mine rescue teams to include specified requirements.Establishes, within the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, the position of Miner Ombudsman, whose duties shall include ensuring that the rights of miners are upheld. Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract with the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board to conduct an independent investigation of an accident upon the request of miners' representatives or families; (2) apply the interim final rule of October 3, 2000, concerning hazard communication in lieu of the final rule of June 21, 2002; and (3) establish an advisory committee to make recommendations on whether the Mine Act should provide for federal licensing of mines and mine personnel.Requires NIOSH to: (1) give priority in its research to technologies that could help miners in an emergency; and (2) forward to the Secretary its Recommended Exposure Limits for miners to chemical and other hazards.Sets forth concentration and exposure limits and sampling and respiratory equipment requirements regarding respirable dust and respirable silica dust in the mine atmosphere. Requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to adopt the asbestos standard for application in the mining industry.

safety enhancement act amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act act require emergency response plans incorporate new technology secretary labor require installation rescue chambers underground coal mines amends improvement new emergency response act repeal provisions concerning standards relating sealing abandoned areas mines sets forth provisions concerning regulating seals regulating survivability ventilation controls directing national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh determine changes rock dust requirements needed publishing regulations flame resistance requirements belts use mines prohibiting belt entries active working places requiring operators implement communication programs facilities install atmospheric monitoring systems requiring miners working equipped multi gas detectors requiring operators use administrative action protect miners lightning requiring secretary establish self contained self inspection program advisory committee regulations applicable underground metal mines supplements secretary enforcement authority including establishing program provide incentives employees serve inspectors provides fine pattern violations health safety standards requires secretary establish central communications emergency center safety_and_health_administration require operators ambulance specified area review revise training availability requirements medical emergency technicians requires operator notify secretary specified types accidents prevent destruction evidence regulations concerning rescue teams include specified requirements establishes position duties shall include ensuring rights miners requires secretary contract conduct independent investigation accident request miners representatives families apply interim final rule october concerning hazard communication lieu final rule june establish advisory committee recommendations act provide federal licensing mines personnel requires niosh priority research technologies help miners emergency forward secretary miners chemical hazards sets forth concentration exposure limits sampling respiratory equipment requirements respirable dust respirable silica dust atmosphere requires occupational_safety_and_health_administration osha adopt asbestos standard application mining industry


Summary: Mine Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the MINER Act to require the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, as soon as practicable after being notified of a mining accident involving a mine operator and resulting in a mine emergency response by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), to: (1) designate and publicize the name and phone number of a director of a family support service as a point of contact within the federal government for the families of miners involved and as a liaison between the operator and the families; and (2) designate an independent nonprofit organization with primary responsibility for coordinating the emotional care and support of the miners' families.Sets forth responsibilities of the MSHA and the designated organization in such an accident.Prohibits: (1) impeding the ability of MSHA or the designated organization to carry out their responsibilities or the ability of families to have contact with one another; (2) unsolicited communications by attorneys or parties to litigation to injured individuals or their families concerning a potential action for personal injury or wrongful death before the 45th day following the accident date; and (3) preventing a designated organization from providing mental health and counseling services.Directs operators that are subject to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to submit to the Secretary of Labor a plan for addressing the needs of the families of miners involved in such accidents. Shields an operator from liability for damages (except for gross negligence or intentional misconduct) in any action brought in a federal or state court arising out of the operator's performance in preparing or providing a miner list pursuant to such plan.Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to develop guidelines and recommendations about responding to mining accidents.

disaster family assistance act amends miner act require assistant secretary labor soon practicable notified mining accident involving operator resulting emergency response safety_and_health_administration designate publicize phone number director family support service point contact federal government families miners involved liaison operator families designate independent nonprofit organization primary responsibility coordinating emotional care support miners families sets forth responsibilities designated organization accident prohibits impeding ability designated organization carry responsibilities ability families contact unsolicited communications attorneys parties litigation injured individuals families concerning potential action personal injury wrongful death day following accident date preventing designated organization providing mental health counseling services directs operators subject federal_mine_safety_and_health_act submit secretary labor plan addressing needs families miners involved accidents shields operator liability damages gross negligence intentional misconduct action brought federal state court arising operator performance preparing providing miner list pursuant plan requires secretary establish task force develop guidelines recommendations responding mining accidents


Summary: Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a program of research, development, and demonstration that includes the establishment of best practices, adaptation of existing technology, and efforts to accelerate the development of next generation technology and tracking systems for mine communications. Requires the Director to coordinate with federal agencies and industry to evaluate areas of research and development and best practices that will be most promising in protecting miner safety.Authorizes the Director, in establishing the program, to focus on the following communications and tracking system characteristics: (1) systems that are likely to work in emergency situations; (2) systems that work in coal mines, with special attention paid to deep underground coal mines; (3) systems that provide coverage throughout all areas of the mine; (4) hybrid systems that use both wireless and infrastructure-based systems; (5) functionality for two-way and voice communications; (6) systems that serve emergency and routine communications needs; (7) the ability to work with existing legacy systems and to be quickly integrated; and (8) propagation environment characterization, performance metrics, and independently derived validation tests to verify performance for standards development.Requires the Director to: (1) work with industry and federal agencies to develop consensus industry standards for communications in underground mines; and (2) develop and provide measurement services needed to support implementation of such standards, which should address the appropriate use of frequency bands and power levels, matters related to interoperability, and technology to prevent interference.

innovation act requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology establish program research development demonstration includes establishment best practices adaptation existing technology efforts accelerate development generation technology tracking systems communications requires director coordinate federal agencies industry evaluate areas research development best practices promising protecting miner safety authorizes director establishing program focus following communications tracking system characteristics systems likely work emergency situations systems work coal mines special attention paid deep underground coal mines systems provide coverage areas hybrid systems use wireless infrastructure based systems functionality way voice communications systems serve emergency routine communications needs ability work existing legacy systems quickly integrated propagation environment characterization performance metrics independently derived validation tests verify performance standards development requires director work industry federal agencies develop consensus industry standards communications underground mines develop provide measurement services needed support implementation standards address appropriate use frequency bands power levels matters related interoperability technology prevent interference


Summary: Ed Walker Memorial Act for Improvements to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include certain former nuclear weapons program workers in the Special Exposure Cohort under the energy employees occupational illness compensation program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) modify regulations and procedures to conform to amendments under this Act; and (2) initiate a petition to include workers employed at the Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna, New York, as a class to be included in the Special Exposure Cohort.

memorial act improvements include certain nuclear weapons program workers special_exposure_cohort energy employees occupational illness compensation program directs secretary health_and_human_services modify regulations procedures conform amendments act initiate petition include workers employed site new_york class included special exposure cohort


Summary: Teaching and Research Assistant Collective Bargaining Rights Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide collective bargaining rights for students enrolled at a private institution of higher education who perform work for remuneration at the institution's direction, regardless of whether the work relates to their courses of study (teaching and research assistants).

teaching research assistant collective bargaining rights act amends national_labor_relations_act provide collective bargaining rights students enrolled private institution higher education perform work remuneration institution direction regardless work relates courses study teaching research assistants


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: 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 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an interim final standard regulating combustible dusts, 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 Administration's (OSHA) standard on grain facilities.Requires such standard 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) 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) employee participation in hazard assessment, development of and compliance with the written program, and other elements of hazard management; and (6) providing safety and health information and annual training to employees.Provides an exemption from otherwise applicable rulemaking requirements for the interim standard but not for the final standard.Provides that such interim standard shall have the legal effect of an occupational safety and health standard and shall apply until a final standard becomes effective.Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate a final occupational safety and health standard regulating combustible dust explosions that has the same scope and worker protection provisions as the interim rule and provides requirements for: (1) managing change of dust producing materials, technology, equipment, staffing, and procedures; (2) building design, such as explosion venting, ducting, and sprinklers; and (3) explosion protection, including separation and segregation of the hazard. Requires the final rule to include relevant and appropriate provisions of the National Fire Protection Association combustible dust standards.Requires the Secretary to revise the hazard communications standard to amend the definition of "physical hazard" to include "a combustible dust" as an additional example of such a hazard.

fires act requires secretary labor promulgate interim final standard regulating combustible 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_and_health_administration osha standard grain facilities 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 prevent accumulation combustible dust places employment depths present explosion fire hazards including safe methods dust removal employee participation hazard assessment development compliance written program elements hazard management providing safety health information annual training employees provides exemption applicable rulemaking requirements interim standard final standard provides interim standard shall legal effect occupational safety health standard shall apply final standard effective requires secretary labor promulgate final occupational safety health standard regulating combustible dust explosions scope worker protection provisions interim rule provides requirements managing change dust producing materials technology equipment staffing procedures building design explosion venting explosion protection including separation segregation hazard requires final rule include relevant appropriate provisions combustible dust standards requires secretary revise hazard communications standard amend definition physical hazard include combustible dust additional example hazard


Summary: Black Lung Benefits Survivors Equity Act of 2009 - 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.

black lung benefits survivors equity act 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


Summary: Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations requiring motorcoaches to be installed with: (1) safety seat belts at each seating position; (2) advanced glazing in each portal to prevent passenger ejection; (3) improved firefighting equipment; and (4) enhanced compartmentalization safety countermeasures and certain other motor vehicle safety features. Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on improving bus crashworthiness, bus crash avoidance, and bus fire protection and passenger evacuation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations: (1) requiring providers of motorcoach services registered with the the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to undergo periodic safety reviews; (2) establishing a training curriculum and providing certification for each driver of a motorcoach seeking a commercial driver's license (CDL) passenger endorsement; (3) improving CDL testing; (4) requiring a driver of a commercial motor vehicle that transports for compensation between nine and 15 passengers to have a CDL; (5) preventing the submission and use of invalid or fraudulent medical certificates by applicants for a CDL; (6) requiring the annual review of state licensing authorities to assess the accuracy of physical examination reports and medical certificates of CDL applicants that are submitted by medical examiners to such authorities; and (7) requiring that all commercial motor vehicles be equipped with electronic on-board recorders (that record driver hours of service) and event data recorders, as well as direct tire pressure monitoring warning systems. Sets forth a deadline for the Secretary to establish the national registry of medical examiners. Requires the Secretary to establish a performance standard for retreaded commercial motor vehicle tires that ensures such tires achieve a safety level of performance equivalent to that of new commercial motor vehicle tires. Requires a state to conduct an annual commercial motor vehicle inspection program in order to receive a grant for the development or implementation of programs for improving motor carrier safety. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a qualified motorcoach safety credit to a taxpayer for 10% of the costs of qualified new motorcoaches and of improvements to existing in-service motorcoaches to satisfy new federal safety standards for installation of occupant protection systems. Requires the Secretary to award supplemental grants (not to exceed $20,000 per vehicle) to motorcoach operators to assist with the cost of retrofitting motorcoaches to comply with such federal standards. Amends the Small Business Act to grant the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) authority to make SBA loans and loan guarantees to small business manufacturers of motorcoaches and small business motorcoach service providers, including to help retrofit their buses and motorcoaches for occupant protection.

enhanced safety act directs secretary transportation prescribe regulations requiring installed safety seat belts seating position advanced portal prevent passenger improved firefighting equipment enhanced safety countermeasures certain motor vehicle safety features requires secretary study report congress improving bus bus crash avoidance bus fire protection passenger evacuation directs secretary prescribe regulations requiring providers services registered federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa undergo periodic safety reviews establishing training curriculum providing certification driver seeking commercial driver license cdl passenger endorsement improving cdl testing requiring driver commercial motor vehicle transports compensation passengers cdl preventing submission use invalid fraudulent medical certificates applicants cdl requiring annual review state licensing authorities assess accuracy physical examination reports medical certificates cdl applicants submitted medical examiners authorities requiring commercial motor vehicles equipped electronic board recorders record driver hours service event data recorders direct tire pressure monitoring warning systems sets forth deadline secretary establish national registry medical examiners requires secretary establish performance standard commercial motor vehicle tires ensures tires achieve safety level performance equivalent new commercial motor vehicle tires requires state conduct annual commercial motor vehicle inspection program order receive grant development implementation programs improving motor carrier safety amends internal revenue code allow qualified safety credit taxpayer costs qualified new improvements existing service satisfy new federal safety standards installation occupant protection systems requires secretary award supplemental grants exceed vehicle operators assist cost retrofitting comply federal standards amends small_business_act grant administrator small_business_administration sba authority sba loans loan guarantees small business manufacturers small business service providers including help retrofit buses occupant protection


Summary: Teri Zenner Social Worker Safety Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to states to provide safety measures to social workers and other professionals working with violent, drug-using, or other at-risk populations. Authorizes such grants to be used to provide or support: (1) the procurement and installation of safety equipment, including communications systems to assist agencies in locating staff, and technical assistance and training for safety communications; (2) training exercises for self-defense and crisis management; (3) facility safety improvements; (4) provision of pepper spray for self-defense; (5) training in cultural competency and on strategies for de-escalating a situation that could turn volatile; (6) training to help workers who work with mentally ill communities and who need help coping; and (7) educational resources and materials to train staff on safety and awareness measures. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for assuring the cost-effectiveness and quality of the safety measures funded.

social worker safety act authorizes secretary health_and_human_services substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration award grants states provide safety measures social workers professionals working violent drug risk populations authorizes grants provide support procurement installation safety equipment including communications systems assist agencies locating staff technical assistance training safety communications training exercises self defense crisis management facility safety improvements provision self defense training cultural competency strategies situation turn volatile training help workers work mentally ill communities need help coping educational resources materials train staff safety awareness measures directs secretary establish guidelines assuring cost effectiveness quality safety measures funded


Summary: Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2009 - Amends the National Dam Safety Program Act to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program to provide grant assistance to states for use in rehabilitating publicly-owned dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards and pose an unacceptable risk to the public (deficient dams). Sets forth provisions regarding procedures for grant awards and fund allocation. Requires: (1) a state receiving a grant under this Act to comply with requirements applicable to contributions of federal funds under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and (2) FEMA to develop a risk-based priority system for identifying deficient dams for which such grants may be made. Limits the federal share of rehabilitation costs to 65%. Prohibits funds from being used to: (1) rehabilitate a federal dam; (2) perform routine operation or maintenance; (3) modify a dam to produce hydroelectric power; (4) increase water supply storage capacity; or (5) make any other modification that does not also improve safety. Conditions the receipt of grants by states upon compliance with specified requirements regarding contracts for architectural and engineering services. Provides that such contracts shall not be considered to confer a proprietary interest upon the United States.

dam rehabilitation repair act amends national_dam_safety_program_act require federal_emergency_management_agency fema establish program provide grant assistance states use rehabilitating publicly owned dams fail meet minimum safety standards pose unacceptable risk public deficient dams sets forth provisions procedures grant awards fund allocation requires state receiving grant act comply requirements applicable contributions federal funds robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance act fema develop risk based priority system identifying deficient dams grants limits federal share rehabilitation costs prohibits funds rehabilitate federal dam perform routine operation maintenance modify dam produce hydroelectric power increase water supply storage capacity modification improve safety conditions receipt grants states compliance specified requirements contracts architectural engineering services provides contracts shall considered confer proprietary interest united_states


Summary: Charlie Wolf Nuclear Workers Compensation Act - Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand the diseases for which individuals who were exposed to radiation from nuclear testing may claim compensation to include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, posterior subcapsular cataracts, nonmalignant thyroid nodular disease, parathyroid adenoma, malignant tumors of the brain and central nervous system, brochio-alveolar carcinoma, and benign neoplasms of the brain and central nervous system. Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Compensation Program Act of 2000 to expand the definition of "atomic weapons employee" to include an individual employed by a contractor or subcontractor of an atomic weapons employer for purposes of compensation under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. Revises criteria used to determine established chronic beryllium disease compensable under the program. Expands the class of members of the Special Exposure Cohort to include any employee who is not covered by specified current requirements but was employed by the Department of Energy (DOE), or a DOE contractor or subcontractor, before January 1, 2006. Adds basal cell carcinoma and skin cancer to the list of compensable cancers. Changes the presumption for a finding of cancer compensable under the program to a standard of clear and convincing evidence that it was not sustained as a result of employment at the atomic weapons employer's facility. (Currently, a presumption for a finding of cancer will be made only if the cancer was at least as likely as not related to employment at the facility.) Requires that potential compensation claimants are given: (1) a list of physicians qualified to perform medical and impairment screenings; and (2) a written notice of benefits for which they may be eligible under the program. Requires site profiles (exposure assessments) of contaminated DOE facilities to identify: (1) by trade name (if any) any toxic substances or processes commonly used in such sites; and (2) the time frame during which the potential for exposure to toxic substances existed. Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide the public with site profiles and other information used to evaluate claims for compensation, as well as statistical data regarding the number of claims filed and the length of time to process them. Specifies covered illnesses to include all forms of cancer, silicosis, asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung fibrosis, chronic constructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal insufficiency, peripheral neuropathy, chronic encepathalopathy, occupational asthma, and pneumoconiosis. Replaces the current requirements for compensation to the survivors of a contractor employee to require payment to them of the compensation the deceased contractor employee would otherwise have been paid. Requires payment of the compensation, if no survivors exist, to a claimant's estate. Includes radiation and heavy metals, or a combination of them, as toxic substances exposure to which may cause a covered illness. Extends from 60 days to one year after an adverse decision the statute of limitation period for filing a petition for judicial review in federal district court of any denial of a compensation claim. Expands the duties of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Department of Labor to include: (1) assisting individuals in making claims; and (2) functioning as an advocate on behalf of individuals seeking benefits. Authorizes the Ombudsman to contract for expert services. Requires the promulgation of regulations for: (1) the direct payment to providers of the costs of personal care services and transportation expenses for claimants who receive medical benefits under the Act; (2) clear, concise, and easily understandable explanations of the claims process, including claim denials; and (3) the retention of records in DOE and the Department of Labor that might be used by claimants in the claims process. Requires claimants under the Act 120 days to respond to a request for information from the Secretary of Labor.

radiation exposure compensation act expand diseases individuals exposed radiation nuclear testing claim compensation include chronic leukemia thyroid disease tumors brain central nervous system brain central nervous system amends expand definition atomic weapons employee include individual employed contractor subcontractor atomic weapons employer purposes compensation energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program revises criteria determine established chronic beryllium disease compensable program expands class members special_exposure_cohort include employee covered specified current requirements employed department_of_energy doe doe contractor subcontractor january adds cell skin cancer list compensable cancers changes presumption finding cancer compensable program standard clear convincing evidence sustained result employment atomic weapons employer facility currently presumption finding cancer cancer likely related employment facility requires potential compensation claimants given list physicians qualified perform medical impairment screenings written notice benefits eligible program requires site profiles exposure assessments contaminated doe facilities identify trade toxic substances processes commonly sites time frame potential exposure toxic substances existed requires secretary labor provide public site profiles information evaluate claims compensation statistical data number claims filed length time process specifies covered illnesses include forms cancer mesothelioma lung fibrosis chronic constructive pulmonary disease chronic renal peripheral chronic occupational asthma pneumoconiosis replaces current requirements compensation survivors contractor employee require payment compensation deceased contractor employee paid requires payment compensation survivors exist claimant estate includes radiation heavy metals combination toxic substances exposure cause covered illness extends days year adverse decision statute limitation period filing petition judicial review federal district court denial compensation claim expands duties office_of_the_ombudsman department_of_labor include assisting individuals making claims functioning advocate behalf individuals seeking benefits authorizes ombudsman contract expert services requires promulgation regulations direct payment providers costs personal care services transportation expenses claimants receive medical benefits act clear concise easily understandable explanations claims process including claim denials retention records doe department_of_labor claimants claims process requires claimants act days respond request information secretary labor


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 Heath Act of 1977. Sets forth increased protections for whistle blowers under OSHA. Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) the posting of employee rights; (2) a prohibition against the adoption or implementation of policies or practices by employers that discourage the reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses or that discriminate or provide for adverse action against any employee for reporting such injury or illness; (3) a prohibition against the loss of wages or employee benefits as a result of an employee participating in or aiding workplace inspections; (4) investigations of incidents in a place of employment resulting in a death or the hospitalization of two or more employees; (5) a prohibition against designating a citation for an occupational health and safety standard violation as an unclassified citation; (6) the rights of an employee who has sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an investigation; (7) an employer's right to contest citations and penalties; (8) the Secretary's assertion of an employer's failure to correct a serious hazard during an employer's contest to a citation; and (9) employee objections to modifications of citations. Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA violators. 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_heath_act sets forth increased protections whistle blowers osha sets forth provisions relating posting employee rights prohibition adoption implementation policies practices employers discourage reporting work related injuries illnesses discriminate provide adverse action employee reporting injury illness prohibition loss wages employee benefits result employee participating aiding workplace inspections investigations incidents place employment resulting death hospitalization employees prohibition designating citation occupational health safety standard violation unclassified citation rights employee sustained work related injury illness subject investigation employer right contest citations penalties secretary assertion employer failure correct hazard employer contest citation employee objections modifications citations increases civil criminal penalties certain osha violators requires state approved plan development enforcement occupational safety health standards amend plan conform requirements act months enactment act


Summary: Corporate Injury, Illness, and Fatality Reporting Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations requiring large employers, for each of their establishments, to maintain accurate records of, and make periodic and certified reports at least annually on: (1) the numbers and rates of work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses; and (2) compliance data, including inspection numbers and dates and the total number of violations and citations issued following inspections. Requires each large employer to identify on all records and reports each establishment and whether one has been acquired, sold, or transferred since the last report required under this Act. Requires the Secretary to issue citations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to any large employer, including those with establishments in states with an approved state plan for development and enforcement of standards, for violations of any of this Act's reporting requirements. Excludes from the meaning of "establishment" a place where business is conducted that has fewer than 10 employees or that is in the construction industry.

fatality reporting act requires secretary labor prescribe regulations requiring large employers establishments maintain accurate records periodic certified reports annually numbers rates work related deaths injuries illnesses compliance data including inspection numbers dates total number violations citations issued following inspections requires large employer identify records reports establishment acquired sold transferred report required act requires secretary issue citations occupational_safety_and_health_act large employer including establishments states approved state plan development enforcement standards violations act reporting requirements excludes meaning establishment place business conducted fewer employees construction industry