Investigation by the Commission

(a)The Commission shall make studies and investigations with respect to safety provisions and the causes of injuries in employments covered by this Title, and shall from time to time make to the Legislature and to employers and carriers such recommendations as it may deem proper as to the best means of preventing such injuries.

(b)In making such studies and investigations, the Commission is authorized

(1)to cooperate with any agency charged with the duty of enforcing any law, securing safety against injury in any employment covered by this Title, or with any agency engaged in enforcing any laws to assure safety for employees, and

(2)to permit any such agency to have access to the records of the Commission. In carrying out the provisions of this section the Commission or any officer or employee of the commission is authorized to enter at any reasonable time upon any premises, tracks, wharf, dock, or to enter any building, where an employment covered by this Title is being carried on, and to examine any tool, appliances, or machinery used in such employment.

(c)Civil Penalties. The Commission shall impose a civil penalty of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250) and not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), per violation, on any employer found in violation of the statutory obligations required in this Chapter or any applicable administrative rules and regulations, unless the statute requires criminal penalties, in which case the Commission shall investigate the matter, document its findings and refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution. The employer may appeal any assessed civil penalties within fifteen COL5/12/2020 CH. 9 WORKER’S COMPENSATION

(15)calendar days from the issuance of a Notice of Violation to the Commissioner who shall be the Hearing Officer.

(d)Notwithstanding Subsection

(c)of this Section, all civil penalties enumerated under this Chapter shall remain in full force and effect.