A. The Commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act.

1. It is not intended that the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act be an issue or be involved in any labor dispute, or be used or asserted to advantage in collective bargaining by employer or employee, or by their respective representatives.

2. The Commissioner shall cause to be inspected any place of employment to ensure the presence of a functioning safety and health program which meets the requirements of Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes and adopted and referenced standards.

B. Subject to the provisions of subsection A of this section, authorized employees of the Department may enter and inspect places of employment, including premises and buildings under construction, demolition or repair, at all reasonable times, in order to investigate such facts, conditions, practices or matters as deemed appropriate, and to determine if any person is violating any provisions of the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act or any standard promulgated pursuant to the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act.

C. Upon receipt by the Department of a signed complaint of violation of any of the provisions of the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act or of any standard promulgated pursuant to the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act, an authorized employee shall investigate the alleged violation and inform the complainant of the result of the investigation.

D. If upon inspection or investigation, or whenever the Commissioner determines a violation of the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act or of any standard, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act has occurred, the Commissioner shall give written notice to the alleged violator specifying the cause of the determination. Such notice shall require that the violations be corrected and specify the terms of such correction or that the alleged violator appear before the Commissioner at a time and place specified in the notice and answer the charges. The notice shall be delivered to the alleged violator in accordance with the provisions of subsection G of this section.

E. The Commissioner or his designee shall afford the alleged violator an opportunity for a fair hearing in accordance with the provisions of subsection H of this section. On the basis of the evidence produced at the hearing, the Commissioner shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter an order thereon. The Commissioner shall give written notice of such order to the alleged violator and to such other persons as shall have appeared at the hearing and made written request for notice of the order. The order of the Commissioner shall become final and binding on all parties unless appealed to the district court as provided in Sections 301 through 326 of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes within thirty (30) days after notice has been sent to the parties.

F. Whenever the Commissioner finds that an emergency exists requiring immediate action to protect the public health or welfare pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Standards Act, the Commissioner may without notice or hearing issue an order stating the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency. Such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such an order is directed shall comply with said order immediately but on application to the Commissioner shall be afforded a hearing within ten (10) days of receipt of said notice. On the basis of such hearing, the Commissioner shall continue such order in effect, revoke it, or modify it. Any person aggrieved by such order continued after the hearing provided for in this subsection may appeal to the district court of the county in which the place of employment is located within thirty (30) days. Such appeal when docketed shall have priority over all cases pending on said docket, except criminal cases. If compliance with said emergency order is not immediately taken, the Commissioner or his duly authorized employee may also request the district attorney of Oklahoma County, or the district attorney in any other district where service can be obtained, to file legal proceedings to enjoin the acts or practices contained in the emergency order to enforce immediate compliance with said order.

G. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, any notice, order, or other instrument issued by or pursuant to authority of the Commissioner may be served on any person affected thereby personally, by publication, or by mailing a copy of the notice, order, or other instrument by registered mail directed to the person affected at his last-known post office address as shown by the files or records of the Commissioner. Proof of service shall be made as in the case of service of a summons or by publication in a civil action or may be made by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing. Such proof of service shall be filed in the office of the Commissioner.

Every certificate or affidavit of service made and filed as in this section provided shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated. A certified copy thereof shall have like force and effect.

H. The hearings authorized by this section may be conducted by the Commissioner or the Commissioner may designate hearing officers who shall have the power and authority to conduct such hearings in the name of the Commissioner at any time and place. Such hearings shall be conducted in conformity with and records made thereof as provided by the provisions of Sections 301 through 326 of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

I. The employer to whom a health and safety order is directed shall notify the Department of his compliance therewith in a manner specified by the Department.

J. If an employer fails to comply with a health and safety order issued pursuant to this section, the Commissioner may grant an additional time for compliance therewith, modify, alter or dismiss the health and safety order or refer the matter to the Board.

Laws 1970, c. 287, § 10, operative July 1, 1970; Laws 1984, c. 147, § 4, operative July 1, 1984; Laws 1992, c. 305, § 4, emerg. eff. May 27, 1992.