GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

S	1 

SENATE BILL 984*

Short Title:  Safety Reorganization Task Force.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Plyler, Conder, Martin of Guilford, Smith, Plexico, and Sands.
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Referred to:  Manufacturing and Labor.
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May 27, 1992

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE REORGANIZATION OF STATE AGENCIES INVOLVED WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND FIRE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO REPORT TO THE LRC COMMITTEE ON FIRE AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AT INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES BY OCTOBER 1, 1992.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is hereby established the Inter-agency Task Force on State Agency Oversight of Workplace Safety and Health.  The Task Force shall study the regulatory responsibilities of State and local governmental agencies involved with workplace safety and health and fire safety.  The members shall include a representative of each of the following:
(1)	The Commissioner of Labor, who shall also chair the Task Force;
(2)	The Commissioner of Insurance or a designee;
(3)	The Secretary of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources or a designee;
(4)	The Chairman of the Industrial Commission or a designee;
(5)	The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission or a designee;
(6)	The Secretary of the Department of Transportation or a designee;
(7)	The Chairman of the State Personnel Commission or a designee;
(8)	A community college representative appointed by the President of the North Carolina System of Community Colleges; and
(9)	Two local officials, one selected by the North Carolina League of Municipalities and the other selected by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
The Task Force shall submit a written report to the LRC Study Committee on Fire and Occupational Safety at Industrial and Commercial Facilities no later than October 1, 1992.  The report shall recommend a proposed reorganization of the occupational health and safety and fire safety network within State and local government to better address the needs of employers and employees in this State.  Except for cause, the same designee shall serve from the inception of the Task Force until the issuance of the final report.
The proposed reorganization should accomplish the following goals:
(1)	Be as consolidated and coordinated as possible with clear areas of responsibility and clear lines of authority;
(2)	Be devoid of duplication;
(3)	Be devoid of political or special interest influence;
(4)	Be able to respond quickly, efficiently, and effectively to reports of unsafe conditions and to emergencies;
(5)	Clarify the role of local government in fire and safety protection in the workplaces in their jurisdictions;
(6)	Fully utilize the community colleges in training inspectors and offering programs for safety committees and businesses that seek to improve worker safety;
(7)	Consider contracting with local fire agencies for inspections before adding more people to the State payroll;
(8)	Develop an educational component that will include the creation and distribution of educational materials regarding workplace safety laws and duties of employers and rights of workers, including brochures, fliers, posters, public service spots for radio and television, newspaper and magazine articles; and
(9)	Include proposals for establishing supplementary inspection programs in addition to those authorized under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The Department of Labor shall provide clerical and professional assistance to the Task Force.
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.