Minnesota Session Laws - 1990, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1990 

                        CHAPTER 508-S.F.No. 1869 
           An act relating to labor; requiring employers to 
          prepare and implement a written program that describes 
          how they will reduce the extent and severity of 
          work-related injuries and illnesses; providing for 
          safety awards by the commissioner of labor and 
          industry; amending Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 
          182.653, by adding subdivisions; proposing coding for 
          new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 182. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 182.653, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 8.  [WORK PLACE PROGRAMS.] An employer covered by 
this section must establish a written work place accident and 
injury reduction program that promotes safe and healthful 
working conditions and is based on clearly stated goals and 
objectives for meeting those goals.  The program must describe: 
    (1) how managers, supervisors, and employees are 
responsible for implementing the program and how continued 
participation of management will be established, measured, and 
maintained; 
    (2) the methods used to identify, analyze, and control new 
or existing hazards, conditions, and operations; 
    (3) how the plan will be communicated to all affected 
employees so that they are informed of work-related hazards and 
controls; 
    (4) how work place accidents will be investigated and 
corrective action implemented; and 
    (5) how safe work practices and rules will be enforced. 
    An employer must conduct and document a review of the work 
place accident and injury reduction program at least annually 
and document how procedures set forth in the program are met. 
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 182.653, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 9.  [STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION LIST.] The 
commissioner shall adopt, in accordance with section 182.655, a 
rule specifying a list of standard industrial classifications of 
employers who must comply with subdivision 8.  The commissioner 
shall demonstrate the need to include each industrial 
classification on the basis of the safety record or worker's 
compensation record of that industry segment.  An employer must 
comply with subdivision 8 six months following the date the 
standard industrial classification that applies to the employee 
is placed on the list. The list shall be updated every two years.
    Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 182.653, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 10.  [RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.] The commissioner's 
rulemaking authority for the purpose of implementing subdivision 
8 is limited to specifying the list of standard industrial 
classifications as provided in subdivision 9. 
    Sec. 4.  [182.6731] [SAFETY AWARDS.] 
    The commissioner may present awards to businesses that have 
excellent safety records.  The award shall be presented jointly 
to the company and its employees.  The commissioner may solicit 
advice on what businesses shall receive the awards from 
representatives of labor and business. 
    Presented to the governor April 24, 1990 
    Signed by the governor April 26, 1990, 4:26 p.m.