Sec. 39.1. (a) Whenever the commissioner is of the opinion that imminent danger exists in any workplace in this state, which condition can reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm, the commissioner, through the attorney general, may petition the circuit court, superior court, or probate court of the county in which such workplace is located for appropriate relief. Any order issued under this section may require such steps to be taken as may be necessary to avoid, correct, or remove such imminent danger and prohibit the employment or presence of any individual in locations or under conditions where such imminent danger exists, except individuals whose presence is necessary to avoid, correct, or remove such imminent danger or to maintain the capacity of a continuous process operation to resume normal operations without a complete cessation of operations, or where a cessation of operations is necessary, to permit such to be accomplished in a safe and orderly manner.
(b) Whenever and as soon as an inspector concludes that conditions or practices described in subsection (a) exist in any place of employment, the inspector shall inform the affected employers and employees of the danger and that the inspector is recommending to the commissioner that relief be sought.
(c) If the commissioner arbitrarily or capriciously fails to seek relief under this section, any employee who may be injured by reason of such failure, or the representative of such employees, may bring an action against the commissioner, in the circuit court, superior court, or probate court of the county in which the imminent danger is alleged to exist or the employer has its principal office, for a writ of mandamus to compel the commissioner to seek such an order and for such further relief as may be appropriate.
Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.241, SEC.45. As amended by P.L.84-2016, SEC.98.
Structure Indiana Code
Article 8. Occupational Health and Safety
Chapter 1.1. Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Act (Iosha)
22-8-1.1-3.1. Compliance With Standards by Employer; Informing Employees
22-8-1.1-5. Safety Processes; Interference With Use; Obedience to Orders
22-8-1.1-6.5. Religious Objections to Treatment
22-8-1.1-7. Occupational Safety Standards Commission
22-8-1.1-8. Commission; Membership
22-8-1.1-10. Commission; Organization
22-8-1.1-11. Commission; Quorum
22-8-1.1-12. Commission; per Diem; Travel Expenses
22-8-1.1-13. Commission; Meetings
22-8-1.1-15. Standards; Incorporation by Reference
22-8-1.1-15.1. Other Standards
22-8-1.1-16.1. Emergency Temporary Standards
22-8-1.1-16.2. Enforcement of Standards; Alternate Standards; Statement of Enforceable Standards
22-8-1.1-17.1. Criteria for Standards
22-8-1.1-17.5. Enforcement; Federal Standards; Conformity
22-8-1.1-17.7. Voluntary Protection Program Implementation
22-8-1.1-19. Standards; Declaratory Judgment
22-8-1.1-19.1. Temporary Variances
22-8-1.1-20.1. Permanent Variances; Application; Notice; Rule or Order; Modification or Revocation
22-8-1.1-21.1. Administrative Services
22-8-1.1-22.1. Commissioner to Administer; Other Agencies
22-8-1.1-23.1. Right of Entry; Exempt Employers; Exceptions
22-8-1.1-24.1. Employee Requests for Inspection
22-8-1.1-24.3. Inspection by Representatives
22-8-1.1-24.5. Written Statement to Employer Following Inspection; Contents
22-8-1.1-24.7. Contents of Safety Audit Inadmissible
22-8-1.1-25.1. Violations; Safety Order; Service; Limitation
22-8-1.1-25.2. Posting of Safety Order
22-8-1.1-26.1. Failure to Abate
22-8-1.1-27.1. Civil Penalties
22-8-1.1-27.2. Affirmative Defenses
22-8-1.1-28.1. Contest of Safety Orders; Petition for Review
22-8-1.1-28.2. Employee or Representative Petition for Review
22-8-1.1-28.3. Affirmation, Amendment, or Dismissal of Safety Order or Penalty; Petition for Review
22-8-1.1-28.4. Informal Review
22-8-1.1-28.5. Referral of Disputes
22-8-1.1-30.1. Board of Safety Review
22-8-1.1-31. Board; Membership
22-8-1.1-35. Board; per Diem and Expenses
22-8-1.1-35.1. Inspection of Premises; Selection and Compensation of Administrative Law Judge
22-8-1.1-35.2. Administrative Services
22-8-1.1-35.3. Hearing; Notice; Intervention
22-8-1.1-35.4. Hearing Procedure
22-8-1.1-35.5. Judicial Review
22-8-1.1-35.6. Enforcement of Safety Orders; Penalty Assessment; Failure to Comply
22-8-1.1-35.7. Collection of Penalty Assessments; Judgment Liens
22-8-1.1-37.1. False Statements, Representations, or Certifications
22-8-1.1-40. Insafe; Program of Occupational Health and Safety Education and Training
22-8-1.1-43. Insafe; Employer Annual Report
22-8-1.1-43.1. Employer Records and Reports; Death and Disaster Reporting
22-8-1.1-45. Safety and Health Consultation Service for Employers; Tax Levy
22-8-1.1-46. Tax; Worker's Compensation Insurance Carriers and Self-Insured Employers
22-8-1.1-47. Tax; Amount; Loss for Purpose of Worker's Compensation Insurance Rates
22-8-1.1-48. Use of Tax Revenues; Appropriations; Payment Date
22-8-1.1-48.1. Rules Governing Functions of Chapter
22-8-1.1-48.2. Disposition of Penalties
22-8-1.1-48.3. Construction of Chapter With Other Laws
22-8-1.1-48.4. Confidentiality of Trade Secrets; Violations
22-8-1.1-51. Restriction on Assessment of Penalty
22-8-1.1-52. Commissioner and Employees Not Subject to Subpoena Except in Certain Circumstances