Report Title:

Vog; Sulfur Dioxide; Occupational Safety and Health Standards

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Interagency Task Force on Vog, to establish standards to promote worker safety during high incidences of vog or sulfur dioxide.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

315

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to volcanic emissions.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  In response to the recent increase in emissions from Kilauea's newest vent at Halema‘uma‘u crater, a House Special Committee on Vog Effects (Committee) was created to bring together experts to examine the effects of vog on the people of the State of Hawaii.  The Committee held a series of fact-finding meetings focusing on health and public safety, agriculture, and economic impacts and tourism.

     One matter considered by the Committee was the safety of workers who, due to their work-related duties or environments, may be exposed to dangerous levels of vog or sulfur dioxide.  The establishment of work safety standards specifically tailored for vog events would greatly benefit the health and safety of these workers.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of labor and industrial relations, in consultation with the department of health and the interagency task force on vog, to establish standards to promote worker safety during high incidences of vog or sulfur dioxide.

     SECTION 2.  The department of labor and industrial relations, in consultation with the department of health and the interagency task force on vog, shall adopt occupational safety and health standards pursuant to chapter 396, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to promote the safety of workers during high incidences of vog, sulfur dioxide, or both.  For the purposes of this Act:

     "High incidences" means situations where the presence of vog, sulfur dioxide, or both, reaches levels that present a danger to worker safety, as determined by the department of labor and industrial relations.

     "Vog" means the substance created when sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases combine and interact chemically in the atmosphere with oxygen, moisture, dust, and sunlight over periods of minutes to days developing into a visible haze consisting of gas plus a suspended mixture of tiny liquid and solid particles.

     "Worker" means any person holding a job position with attendant work duties, assignments, locations, or work sites that place that person in potential contact with high incidences of vog, sulfur dioxide, or both.

     SECTION 3.  The department of labor and industrial relations shall submit a report of its progress in establishing the occupational safety and health standards required by this Act, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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