02/17/1997 03:32 PM House L&C

 HB 118 - REPORTING OF EMPLOYMENT ACCIDENTS                                  
                                                                               
 Number 334                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG announced the next order of business would be HB
, "An Act relating to reporting and other requirements of                  
 certain employment accidents; and providing for an effective date."           
 He opened the public hearing.                                                 
                                                                               
 Number 345                                                                    
                                                                               
 AL DWYER, Director, Division of Labor Standards and Safety,                   
 Department of Labor, came before the committee.  He informed the              
 committee members that HB 118 would shorten the time frame for an             
 employer's reporting of an accident that is fatal to an employee or           
 that requires inpatient hospitalization.  Changes would also be               
 made regarding the manner in which the report is to be made and the           
 information that is to be included.  He said to maintain the state            
 Occupational Safety and Health Program, our standards must be at              
 least as effective as federal standards.  These changes will bring            
 Alaska into compliance with federal law.  He noted there wouldn't             
 be fiscal impact associated with HB 118.                                      
                                                                               
 Number 402                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG pointed out that the bill says that there will be           
 a federal toll-free number provided by the division.  He asked Mr.            
 Dwyer to describe what that means.                                            
                                                                               
 MR. DWYER said he didn't know a lot about the federal toll-free               
 number.  He indicated he would find out the answer and get back to            
 him.  Mr. Dwyer noted employers could call that toll-free number              
 within the time frame required in the bill.                                   
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG asked if the Department of Labor implements the             
 Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)                  
 standards in the state of Alaska.                                             
                                                                               
 MR. DWYER said that is correct.                                               
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG asked if that would include all areas.                      
                                                                               
 MR. DWYER responded with regards to worker safety, everything on              
 land except maritime worker safety.                                           
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG asked who does maritime worker safety.                      
                                                                               
 DR. DWYER responded the Federal Department of Labor, OSHA.                    
                                                                               
 Number 527                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON moved and asked unanimous consent to move HB
 out of committee with a zero fiscal note.  Hearing no                     
 objection, HB 118 was moved out of the House Labor and Commerce               
 Committee.