Occupational safety and health standards to protect employees in covered establishments

(a) Standard for protecting employees from occupational risk factors causing musculoskeletal disorders (1) Proposed standard Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655), publish in the Federal Register a proposed standard for ergonomic program management for covered establishments. Such proposed standard shall include requirements for— (A) hazard identification and ergonomic job evaluations, including requirements for employee and authorized employee representative participation in such identification; (B) hazard control, which such requirements rely on the principles of the hierarchy of controls and which may include measures such as rest breaks, equipment and workstation redesign, work pace reductions, or job rotation to less forceful or repetitive jobs; (C) training for employees regarding employer activities, occupational risk factors, and training on controls and recognition of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders; and (D) medical management that includes— (i) encouraging early reporting of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms; (ii) first aid delivered by those operating under State licensing requirements; and (iii) systematic evaluation and early referral for medical attention. (2) Final standard Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment this Act, the Secretary shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655), publish in the Federal Register a final standard based on the proposed standard under paragraph (1). (b) Standard for protecting employees from delays in medical treatment referrals following injuries or illnesses (1) Proposed standard Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655), publish in the Federal Register a proposed standard requiring that all employers with employees working at a covered establishment who, in accordance with the standard promulgated under section 1910.151 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, are required to have a person readily available at the establishment who is adequately trained to render first aid shall ensure that such person— (A) without delay, refers any such employee who reports an injury or illness that requires further medical treatment to an appropriate medical professional of the employee’s choice for such treatment; (B) provides for occupational medicine consultation services through a physician who is board certified in occupational medicine, which services shall include— (i) regular review of any health and safety program, medical management program, or ergonomics program of the employer; (ii) review of any work-related injury or illness of an employee; (iii) providing onsite health services for treatment of such injury or illness; and (iv) consultation referral to a local health care provider for treating such injury or illness; and (C) complies with the licensing requirements for licensed practical nurses or registered nurses in the State in which the establishment is located. (2) Final standard Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655), publish in the Federal Register a final standard based on the proposed standard under paragraph (1). (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out this section.